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:

• More fluids on the bike course.  The budgeted fluids on the bike courses have been increased to 1.5 bottles 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. 
• More fluids on the run course.  The budgeted fluids on the run courses have been increased to THREE cups per participant.
• Additional fluid station for Half Iron.  An additional fluid station has been added in the village of Egg Harbor adjacent to Shipwrecked Brewpub.  Half Iron participants will cross through this location twice, once at mile 4 and again at mile 7.  This increases the number of fluid opportunities on the Half Iron run to NINE.
• More ice on the course.  Water and Gatorade will be iced down at all fluid stations.  In addition, water station volunteers will hand out ice in cups at later stages of the Half Iron run.
• Sprinklers on the course.  There will be one sprinkler on the Sprint run course and at least 2-3 sprinklers on the Half Iron run course.
• Ice baths at finish.  There will be SIX immersion troughs with constantly circulating water that participants may dunk themselves in immediately after finishing.
• Misting wands at finish.  There will be at least 2 elevated shower-style misting wands that participants may pass under when they finish.
• More 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

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