Those of us doing Ironman Florida received this email today...
Notice in regard to family members through the finish line
Due to increased concerns about safety in regard to the finish line area at North America Sports events, the following policy has been put in place.
Athletes will be allowed to cross the finish line area with one family member ONLY. Please respect your fellow athletes by adhering to this policy. If this policy is not followed at NA Sports events, we will be forced to eliminate the privilege completely. Please adhere to the following points as well.
Please only have persons accompany you that can run through under their own power. We recommend children only be allowed from the age of 6 and up. No carrying of infants. Many athletes are not coherent enough to handle infants safely.
NO PETS OF ANY KIND. Crossing the finish line with an animal of any kind will be grounds for disqualification.
Please understand that the Ironman is a unique accomplishment for ALL competitors. Many athletes who do not run through with a family member have had their photos ruined at events due to excessive congestion.
Also remember that safety is our primary concern.
Thank youNorth America Sports Staff
Much as I hate to spoil the fun for those athletes who bring their families to share their accomplishment, this is great news to me because...
I don't even HAVE a finish photo from Brazil '06 because some guy had at least ten family members kneeling and posing for a group shot as I tried to squeeze past them.
I think this is a fair ruling and I hope people adhere to it. We ALL have a right to be there, including those of us who are lame enough to even bother showing up to do an Ironman without our families. We ALL still want a finishline picture!!!!
p.s. My race number is 2487...
;-)
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16 comments:
What you need is someone who is good with photoshop, a good finishing pic from another race, a good shot of the finish line at IM Brasil, and your time. Blend them all together and voila! Jenny's finisher photo from IM Brasil. I think I might have to work on that.
Thanks for sharing your race number...I'll be watching you! And btw, my hubby is very good with photoshop. :)
I agree with you. The line where my fun ends is at the point where it impacts you.
i think there's another solution, you want to run over the line with 10 people, have a volunteer hold you till it's all clear.
you may have to wait 10 minutes, but, everyone gets what will make them happy!
I totally agree... Love that rule!
Lauar
yep. i think it's great. and the no infant part is overdue also. after watching the coverage of hawaii a couple weeks ago and seeing lots of babies being carried across the finish line by wobbly parents, i'm glad to see this rule. luckily i didn't see anyone fumble their newborn...but it could happen.
I TOTALLY agree! Shane's CDA finish pic was ruined by a family in front of him. While I understand the importance to those family members, I think that finish pose is WAY to important!
I'm happy to hear this. I respect that people want to acknowledge their family's accomplishments, but I think it's gotten out of hand because so many seem to be rudely oblivious to how they're impacting other athlete's finishes. And the shaky athletes carrying baby things is just nuts! I've even heard that catchers are coached to take infants from racers as soon as possible so they don't drop them.
I'm laughing at Siren's comment...I can just SEE them tossing the newborns...Poor babes!
I'll be looking for your number Jenny!
It's a shame that it even has to be a rule.
I can understand wanting to have a family member run with you at the finish but I have a feeling that a minority is going to ruin it for those that do go by the rules.
Jenny, are you running the timed 5K on Saturday? If so at what pace? (I'll see if I can keep up with you)
Hey I was 2497! I also think they could have 2 shoots- one that includes a famiy meeting area. No babies though. Give the medal/tshirt bag and instructions to the family and let them be the volunteers for their athlete-then everyone gets what they want.
go get em, gurlee!
that finish you mentioned...ridiculous.
Yeah, as much I would eventually like to cross an Ironman finish line with both my boys, I totally understand the rule and have to agree with it.
2487 - got it - I'll be looking for you!! Go get 'em!!!
here here!
In my view, if I finish a race, it should be me crossing the finish line. let my people cross the line when they do it themselves on their own power.
Good luck at IMFL!!!
That had that rule in WI this year, but nobody listened to it....
i totally agree on the family stuff.
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