HEAT PRECAUTIONS BEING TAKEN

With weather forecasts anticipating temperatures in the mid-80′s with high humidity during event weekend, DCT organizers are taking extra precautions and urging the athletes to do the same.  Enhancements to address the heat include:

• AMPLE FLUIDS ON THE BIKE COURSES.  Every bike bottle handout station will have 1.5 to 2.0 bottles available per participant.  Sprint participants have TWO opportunities for fluids on the 18 mile course (start and halfway point).  Half Iron participants have SIX opportunities for fluids on the 56 mile course.

• AMPLE FLUIDS ON THE RUN COURSES.  Every rest station on the run will have 3-4 cups of fluids per participant.  There will be THREE opportunities for fluids on the Sprint run course (start, mile 1.5 and mile 2.2).  There will be TEN opportunities for fluids on the Half Iron run course (start, miles 1.5, 3.1, 4.2, 5.5, 7.1, 8.1, 9.7, 10.7 and 12.3).  On average, there will be water stations every 1.2 miles.

• ICE, ICE BABY!  In addition to the fluids, every rest station on the run will offer cups of ice to the participants. 

• GET HOSED!  There will be one sprinkler on the Sprint run course and at least 2-3 sprinklers on the Half Iron run course, including an industrial Misting System at mile 12 on Sunny Point Road.

• TAKE A COLD BATH…  There will be 100-gallon immersion tanks at EVERY REST STATION ON THE RUN.  Participants suffering from the heat are encouraged to dunk their upper bodies into these baths in order to cool off.  There will also be a 1,000-gallon portable pool at the finish for athletes to cool off in when they reach the finish line. 

• MISTING WANDS.  There will be at least 2 elevated shower-style misting wands that participants may pass under when they finish.

• EXCESS FLUIDS AT FINISH.  There will be 4,300 bottles of water at the finish area for participants and spectators.  There will also be soda and beer for the crowds.

Organizers are asking participants to take extra precautions as well.  They are urged to:

• Wear lighter colored and moisture-wicking clothing
• Arrive well-hydrated at the starting line
• Place their personal safety over their pace.  “It’s probably not a day to set a PR, folks,” says race director Sean Ryan.
• Take every opportunity to take in more fluids on the courses
• Drink GATORADE in addition to water to replace electrolytes and avoid a condition known as hyponatremia which can result from over-consumption of water

Personal safety takes the joint effort of both organizers and participants.  We’ll see you this weekend!