Race Organizer's comments
The 2004 race was another fine race, the weather was good, the competition fierce, the spirit great, the marshals fantastic.
There are a few things I do need to comment on. This year was the first time we had a complaint against one of our competitors by the police. We have always tried to maintain a safe and fair event that aims to work with the community and the police to take the interest and safety of all at heart.
It is not necessary to try to analyze the incident to great depth because as always there are two sides to the story and I am sure that both the car driver making the complaint and the competitor contributed to the incident. When you are competing one does get carried away and when you are in a precarious position with a car we may say things that we normally wouldn't.
However we need to all try to keep our cool if we will be allowed to carry on competing in triathlons, I unfortunately had to disqualify the competitor but I am glad that there was no personal injury, we all need to bear in mind that it is only a race and that we are still part of the normal traffic, a few seconds delay is nothing in comparison to what could happen!
Please bear this in mind in future races as I don't want to see anyone hurt and we all want to continue racing and enjoying the challenge. Traffic volume are increasing and we need to take more precautions in future:
1. More warning signs.
2. More possible road closures
3. More training for marshals
4. Possible earlier start times
This has one inevitable result: the cost of entries will have to go up, but I hope you will understand. Please let me have your comments on this, as it is important that I get feedback and are able to act on it if required.
Eugene Kertzman
Race Organiser
.........................
Somer A.C.
.........................
Norton Radstock College
.........................
.........................