Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill

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2010-07-13 8:53 AM

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Subject: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
I wonder what they are going to do for IM Florida and/or 70.3 Clearwater with the oil spill situation. I am reading on several websites that both locations are polluted by the oil. What if they don't manage to clean it?
Many people have to come from far away, arranging flights/hotels pretty in advance...
I wrote an email to ironman.com but no answer at all.

For those who live there, how is really the situation at the moment?

2010-07-13 9:17 AM
in reply to: #2977326

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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
Someone on ST had a response from WTC regarding the race and they are working on alternative swim venues but they do this for every event as well.
2010-07-13 9:28 AM
in reply to: #2977379

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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
running2far - 2010-07-12 4:17 PM Someone on ST had a response from WTC regarding the race and they are working on alternative swim venues but they do this for every event as well.


so you would exclude any race cancellation...?
2010-07-13 12:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
Plissken74 - 2010-07-13 10:28 AM
running2far - 2010-07-12 4:17 PM Someone on ST had a response from WTC regarding the race and they are working on alternative swim venues but they do this for every event as well.


so you would exclude any race cancellation...?


They will have the race.  That's not a question.
2010-07-14 7:48 AM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
Marvarnett - 2010-07-13 1:31 PM
Plissken74 - 2010-07-13 10:28 AM
running2far - 2010-07-12 4:17 PM Someone on ST had a response from WTC regarding the race and they are working on alternative swim venues but they do this for every event as well.


so you would exclude any race cancellation...?


They will have the race.  That's not a question.


Right, the race won't be canceled because of the oil spill.  At worst, the race would turn into a duathlon.
2010-07-14 7:53 AM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
I'm not sure they'd do a duathlon if canceled. It may just be a bike run.

A BTer doing IMFL posted this email they had rec'd from WTC:

Thanks for your email regarding Ford Ironman Florida. We recognize your concern and interest as it relates to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Ironman Team continues to closely monitor the oil spill developments and potential impact to the Panama City Beach area. We are currently working with government agencies and local partners to identify possible swim venue options. Our team remains committed to ensuring the safety of all athletes and providing an Ironman experience that includes swim, bike and run.

"Contingency planning is part of our day-to-day operations," said Steve Meckfessel, WTC's Chief Operations Officer. "While we can't forecast swim and beach conditions in November, we are evaluating several course and venue options which will enable athletes to complete the entire event."

Communication relating to contingency plans for Ford Ironman Florida will be released as soon as they are finalized. Ironman will reach out to all registered athletes via email, on www.ironman.com and through official press materials.

Richard Sanders, Vice President of Sports Marketing for the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitor's Bureau comments. "We understand the concerns our visiting athletes have and consider their health and safety to be a top priority. We are working with Ironman and local officials to provide alternative plans for the swim portion of the race if the Gulf Coast oil spill does affect the waters currently utilized. If the swim location has to be moved, it will in not impact the caliber or integrity of this year's Ford Ironman Florida. We look forward to welcoming this world-class talent and the event back to Panama City Beach."

2010-07-14 12:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill

Plissken74 - 2010-07-13 9:53 AM I wonder what they are going to do for IM Florida and/or 70.3 Clearwater with the oil spill situation. I am reading on several websites that both locations are polluted by the oil.

We will be in Destin, Fl next week for vacation, and I can post some info after talking to the locals about the oil for the folks doing IMFL.  From what I have heard there has been very little oil in that area.

2010-07-14 2:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
I went ahead and pulled out and switched to Ironman Texas - I don't want to chance it and it does not look good that they will have it cleaned up in time - I don't want waste money but if I sign up, I do want to do the whole thing.
2010-07-14 3:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
beaches are open and beautiful here in PCB! IMFL organizers have several options for the swim including the Gulf (as normal), St. Andrew Bay, or Lake Powell on the west end.  
2010-07-14 4:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
C F - 2010-07-14 4:37 PM beaches are open and beautiful here in PCB! IMFL organizers have several options for the swim including the Gulf (as normal), St. Andrew Bay, or Lake Powell on the west end.  


Thanks for the information...it is nice to hear...you should post this on the IMFL race specific thread as well.

How far is Lake Powell from the area of race start and finish?

How warm is the lake? ie do you think it would be wetsuit legal?
2010-07-14 4:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill

The oil is far far away from clearwater.  As in hundreds of miles.  It barely has reached PCB.  I sincerely doubt it will reach Clearwater or effect that race in anyway.

2010-07-14 8:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
currently in destin and the water is BEAUTIFUL. ZERO oil whatsoever. 
2010-07-19 6:22 AM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill

gvmhlal - 2010-07-14 9:36 PM currently in destin and the water is BEAUTIFUL. ZERO oil whatsoever. 

Yep.  There isn't any oil, and it looks very doubtful there will be any in this area. 

 

2010-07-19 8:34 AM
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2010-07-19 8:53 AM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill
I am very happy of these news and even after checking this link I realized that Clearwater at least is far away from the problem.
Panama City could be affected...
2010-07-19 9:37 AM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill

Great information folks...Kathy G, as per usual, has the 411! My guess is the Clearwater venue has the best options to move the swim to a less affected location. Going to be watching this one closely.

VM

2010-07-19 11:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Florida IM and Clearwater vs. oil spill

Plissken74 - 2010-07-19 9:53 AM I am very happy of these news and even after checking this link I realized that Clearwater at least is far away from the problem.
Panama City could be affected...

I think Panama City might get some tarballs, but that's not a huge deal.  They have 100's of people constantly walking the beach searching for any oil/tarballs and immediately picking them up.  This means that the slightest amount of oil/tarballs is going to be reported.  I would feel fine doing an IM swim in a place that had a 100 coin sized tar balls wash up on 10 miles of beach.

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