IM Finish with kids...

[TimAckley]

I was browsing the IMCDA web site today and ran across this.. I do not know if this is a new policy regarding kids crossing with U at the finish line just for this event or all future events.. I did not know this existed.. I have always crossed with at least two kids and nothing has ever been said..

Wondering people's thoughts on it.. If its a little extreme or not??



"Notice on the Family Finish Pen"

Author: staff June 11, 2008

This policy was created to enhance the event for athletes with children allow them the unique opportunity to share the finish line experience with one child. Athletes who ignore the Family Finish Pen Policy by crossing the finish line with parents, children, grandparents, and yes – even pets, create a safety issue, interfere with other athletes’ finish line photos, and create unnecessary chaos at the finish line.

Continued abuse of the Family Finish Pen Policies outlined below, will force NAS to cancel the Family Finish Pen, resulting in the disqualification of athletes crossing the finish line with any non-participant.

Please respect the Family Finish Pen policies so that NAS can continue to provide this experience.

Family Finish Pen Policies:

Only one child is allowed to participate with each athlete. The child must be between the ages of 6 and 16. No other persons may accompany the athlete in the Finish Chute. No pets, parents, grandparents or significant other is allowed to participate (non-athlete), just the one child. No children younger than six are allowed. Young children present a safety problem and are not allowed. Again, one child only between 6 and 16, no exceptions.
Children participating in the program must be registered at the Family Finish Pen located roughly 200 yards up the finish line on Sherman Ave. No exceptions. Volunteers will be available at the Family Finish Pen to explain the protocol of the program.

North America Sports reserves the right to assess a four-minute penalty to those athletes who do not follow these policies at Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene.

Failure to follow this policy will result in the cancellation of the Family Finish Pen program altogether, at which point athletes who finish with a non-racer in any fashion will be disqualified. As a company, North America Sports would take this step with much regret.

Please respect the policy so future athletes can enjoy this special opportunity on their race day.

Thank you.
North America Sports

[Aussie Rob]

I think they're trying to find middle ground, and unfortunately, might end up aggravating even more people.

I understand where they're coming from though. You want the kids to be part of it, but often times your great experience with your kids can screw up another athletes. The tough part is trying to determine who gets precedence.

I'm glad i don't have to make that call.

[Jack Carney]

I see both sides of this argument. When I see pics of those I know carrying their kids I think I would have loved to do that when my kids were little. Then again I was watching IM MOO 06 with a friend who was really against it and while we watched and talked about it I saw no fewer than ten little kids almost run down as they ran into the paths of finishers and other finishers slowed down or having to take evasive action.

The other thing I would hate is someone elses family in my photo. Especially if they have ugly kids.

[Eric]

I saw this as well. I was thinking of having my wife run the finish chute with me at IM MOO this year. I wonder if I can pass her off as a 16 year old.

I think they are looking to enforce due to safety concerns and fairness to other athletes.

[MattCollister]

You should be able to carry anything or person you want across the line, as long as you carry it/them with you the entire race.

[debbie]

My daughter loves to run in with me whenever she is at a race with me. I have explained to her (she is 10 now) and to Daddy, that she may do this ONLY if she is not going to interfere with anyone else.

Gee.. somehow this is never a problem when your a BOP! There is always room for the kids when I come in. I may have to put a stop to her running in with me if she is going to start beating me to the finish however!

I agree about the IM photos and having other people in them, and that families/kids can get in the way. But then again they have waited all day (some more than others) for thier loved ones to finish. There is no even ground on this debate.

I say let them cross with you, but you also have to be respectful and explain to kids it may not always be possible.

One of my favorite picture is at Steelhead with her running across with me in her bathing suit and bare feet!!

debbie

[debbie]

Eric, put Ammie in a hoody and IPOD and she'll pass as a 16yr old!!

deb

[Deirdre]

Wow! So let's see, I have two kids who have been involved in triathlon since their days of nursing in transition and now I have to choose which one gets to cross the finish line with me. . . . knowing I will likely only do one IM. . . . . I would be pretty upset with this "policy".

OK, I understand there are many sides to this issue and finishing at 13 hours is much different than finishing in the 10-11 hour range. Someone racing for qualification probably shouldn't have to deal with kids (pets, parents and grandparents --- seriously??!!) who may hamper them in the finish.

However, IM is truly a family affair. The family is impacted by an IM race, no questions about it. I think that allowing kids to have a wee bit of participation in the race may just be that one thing that propels them to someday do an IM race when they're all grown up. I guess I expect the adults to know their spot is on the sidelines cheering and grinning like fools at their IM finisher.

I do believe that the kids have to know the protocol. I remember finishing in Lake Placid and taking a look to see how close and fast the next person behind me was and I also slowed down for the lady ahead of me with the 2 year old crossing with her. I made the boys hold my hands so they couldn't veer into someone's path in the event I didn't see them. Certainly not something I wanted to think about at that point of the day, but I didn't want to upset anyone else.

I don't know what the "right" answer to this is, but I don't believe what has been laid out for IMCDA is the best option. Pick one kid -- feels like a Smothers Brothers routine . . . which one of you do I like best . . .

[erinj]

i think it sucks that the kid has to be 6...why do they have to be that old if you can carry them across and ASSURE they won't get in the way?...

our families make lots of sacrifices for our training...it is nice if they can safely and respectfully (to other racers) be included in that grand moment...

[TimAckley]

I just wonder the underlying reason as to why now all of a sudden they come up with this rule?? I understand the safety issues at the finish line and yes it can get kinda crowded back there.. But more than half the people behind the finish line are not even the racers.. Not that I am complaining about them, without them the race would be much different and they do a great job helping out all day..

I guess what I am saying is they could make changes to the finish area to accomodate maybe two family members at the most with a finisher.. Each race is bringing in over $1,000,000 in entry fees... The Finish area could be made a little larger and they could maybe move the photo section back a little to get it away from the finish line..

Last year there was a article in Triathlete Magazine about this.. Most people are in favor of letting kids/ people finish with there racers.. but there are those few, who believe otherwise.. I think the solution in the artcile was to have two finish holes.. One for those who like to share the finish line and one for those who do not.. To make this breif... The finishers hole for those who believe its just all about them.. was refered to as the "A-Hole"...

I wish I could find the article.. Its was a really good read..

NASports does a great job getting and keeping the family involved all week and weekend long, especially with the kids fun run the day before the race... and always emphasizes the families commitment to the racer(s).. I just do not see why they would do this at the most important time of the whole weekend, put restrictions on the finish line....

I guess it comes down to what Deirdre said " How do U pick between your kids who goes and who does not?".... or maybe I just need to be more open to change..