Important information for the District Cross Country Meet

2018 DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY MEET INFORMATION

 DATE: Thursday, October 18, 2018

PLACE: Trout Lake Park (19th Avenue & Victoria Drive)

START TIME: 13:00 hours (1:00 p.m.)

FINISH TIME: approximately 15:00 hours (3:00pm)

First race will start at 1:00 pm (Grade 7 boys).   Subsequent races are every 8 minutes. 

• Please ensure that your grade 7 boys are in the marshalling area by 12:50 pm. 
  
• Grade 7 girls should report to the marshalling area by 12:55 pm
  
• Do not send your grade 1s, 2s, etc. to the marshalling area at 12:50 it will only add to the confusion and pandemonium in this area...we will be making announcements for the age groups that should be a marshalling.
  

Here is some important information from the organizers:

No tents are to be set up near the Marshalling area or the start and finish lines – with thousands of runners these areas are very congested and are now a safety issue.  As discussed at the organizational meeting, we will continue to refine our procedures and communication in the marshalling area and start line. The meet organizing committee is tweaking the procedures to address the safety concerns and chaotic energy that is present at the marshalling and starting areas.  We will need your assistance to ensure that EVERYONE (runners, staff and parents) are helping us to ensure that everything runs in a smooth, orderly and safe

ONLY participants will be permitted in the marshalling area and on the course – please let your parents know that we will not allow them near or at the starting line.  All athletes should have run in your zone meets so the athletes should feel comfortable running in a large race.  If there are concerns, then maybe the younger athletes can be paired up with a ‘buddy’ and they can run together.

• Parents and coaches are not allowed to pace (run or bike beside) runners at any point on the course.
  
• Runners that require the assistance of an adult at school are permitted to have this adult accompany them on the course.
  

 Athletes should dress appropriately for rainy weather: gloves, rain suits, extra socks, hats, umbrellas, blankets. No spiked runners permitted!  No electronic devises including Go pros (but excluding watches) to be worn by athletes in the District Cross Country meet.

All spectators (adults and children) must watch the races from outside the course boundaries (we have areas roped off for the SAFETY of the runners and the meet officials). We have had minor accidents and close misses when people do not pay attention to the course boundaries - please let’s do our part to ensure that everyone stays off the course.  I know we all get excited to see our children/students participate in events like this but our rules are meant for the safety of all students.

 We would strongly encourage all schools to ask parents/spectators to leave their dogs at home.  If this is not possible then, ALL pets must be under control and leashed and away from any course boundaries including marshalling, start and finish lines. 

 No parents in the finish line area – they must wait outside the roped area to collect/congratulate or take photos of their runners.  Anyone who has been to previous meets will know that the finish area is a constant wave of runners from the first race to the last.  Extra bodies in the area is once again deemed a safety issue.

 First Aid will be available in the finish area BUT all schools are asked to bring their own first aid kits as well.  Please ensure that your students and helpers know where and how to access your first aid supplies.

 Washroom facilities are available in the park facility on the south side of the lake.  Additional porta potties will also be on site near the caretaker’s house.

 All vehicles should be legally parked in the parking lots or on the streets – at past events, vehicles have been ticketed and/or towed.

 First race starts at 1:00 pm – subsequent races are every 8 minutes.  Times are approximate, spectators should error on side of caution if they are trying to estimate what time their child is running.  Please refer to the race order which can be found in the attached document.

Have a fantastic and fun race!