The organizers of Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia, now moved to September 6, have presented the first details of a ‘comprehensive event adaptation plan, aimed at ensuring the maximum level of safety for all participants.’
In mid-June, due to Covid-19, the postponement of the largest triathlon in Poland – from the beginning of August to 6 September – was confirmed. As Race Director, Michał Drelich noted, “The safety of players, staff and volunteers remains the highest priority.”
Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia usually attracts around 4000 amateur triathletes, but also personalities from the world of Polish showbusiness and media.
Drelich continued, “We do everything in our power to make the competition take place, in a full sanitary regime. We care for the safety of athletes, staff, volunteers and supporters. We should also remember that the participants of our competition are extremely athletic and healthy people. Triathlon is an individual discipline. Competition rules also force a certain degree of distance between players.”
Change of location and scaling up transition
The transition zone will be enlarged and moved from the Gdynia Aquarium along the promenade to Kościuszko Square. This will allow for reduced athlete density.
Bike and run routes
Both routes will undergo some modifications to eliminate the number of close passes among athletes and ensure the maximum available width of the route. The running route will have two instead of three loops, helping to reduce overtaking frequency.
Screening tests
Before entering the competition area, athletes will be screened. To avoid crowds and queues, only registered competitors (without accompanying persons) will have access to the registration area, and the time to collect race packages will have to be declared in advance via an online form. ‘The collection of the starter pack itself will be almost non-contact – the athlete will not even have to pick up a pen.’
Rolling start
A rolling start on race day will see several competitors start together in approximately 10-second intervals. In addition, competitors at the start will be assigned to separated zones, and access to the start will be divided into several separate corridors, spaced apart by 1.5m.
Bag system
The bag system that has been used for years at IRONMAN events will be replaced by a traditional system in which athletes keep their items directly with their bike. Thanks to this, the organising team note that it will be possible to avoid crowds at the bag collection areas – helping to minimise additional interaction between athletes and with volunteers.
Non-drafting
Non-drafting race rules will be maintained, with 12m distance between riders on the cycling route. Marshalls on the route are to supervise compliance with these recommendations.
Nutrition
Drinks and nutrition will only be available in sealed packages.
Cancellation of welcome banquet and after party
The welcome banquet and after party will not take place this year. Instead, in each starter pack there will be two special coins that can be exchanged for a meal from a special menu in selected restaurants in Gdynia.
Race Director Michał Drelich said, “Thanks to this, we avoid gathering athletes in one place, but at the same time we also support local business in Gdynia, which have also suffered from coronavirus. The competitor will not pay anything for the meal. Based on the coins collected by each restaurant, we as the competition organizer will settle accounts with restaurateurs.”
Personal hygiene products
In all competition zones, staff and volunteers will be equipped with masks, gloves and disinfectants. Competitors will be required to wear face masks in transition when entering and leaving bicycles. Masks will also be recommended in the start zone. During the competition itself athletes will not be required to have a mask.
“I think that at this stage you can see how much will be done to make the competition as safe as possible,” said Drelich. “I am sure that we will create conditions that are much safer than those we deal with in many places on a daily basis.”
An educational campaign will also be conducted, i.e. training of staff, volunteers and the athletes themselves, in terms of: taking care of health, personal hygiene as well as safe and responsible behaviour.
