Safety Plan Aspen Backcountry Marathon 8/27/11 City of Aspen Special Events
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Plan is to set forth organization, responsibilities, and procedures for the safe conduct of the Aspen Backcountry Marathon. The plan will be posted on the race website for runners, volunteers, and the public. This trail marathon will occur primarily on trails within County and Forest Service parklands in Aspen, Colorado. Included in this plan are the current course description, course maps, permitting, medical response teams, aid station locations, course marshal locations (road crossings), and other entities involved with this event. The Communication Plan is included in this Plan. It includes EMS, County and City Police, medical staff, and other key personnel. Aspen Backcountry Marathon instructions are posted on the website and are available to each runner. They contain, among other information, emergency instructions to be followed during the race. SAFETY ORGANIZATION 1. The Race Director has overall responsibility for the safe conduct of this event. 2. In addition to the start and finish lines there are 5 runner aid stations which offer communication and first aid. Volunteers are instructed how to handle minor injuries and problems and how to differentiate between serious emergencies. They are instructed to call 911 for anything they deem to be serious or could become serious. 3. In addition to the 5 manned stations below, the race crosses several roads, which are open to traffic. At a minimum, two volunteers are assigned to each road crossing. Volunteers will assist runners getting them safely across the roads. 4. A team of race sweepers on bike and running will follow the last runner to make sure that each trail segment is cleared and all runners have passed. 5. The race director monitors the course and all road crossings and aid stations throughout the race. Aid stations are not closed until the last runner and sweep team have cleared the trail up to that point. 6. The Race Director has overall responsibility for the safe conduct of the event. His/her decisions are final. Prior to the race he/she shall determine that trail conditions are consistent with safe conduct of the event. His decision shall be based upon current weather observations and official weather service forecasts for the duration of the event. He/she shall ensure that all volunteers are properly trained, equipped, and stationed. The Race Director shall be present for the race start and will remain at the starting point until the race begins. He/she then stays in the field (on roads not on the trails) where he/she supervise all race activities. Aspen Backcountry Marathon 1
PROCEDURES Prior to the Event 1. The Race Director shall coordinate with the County and Forest Service prior to the race to ensure that the trail is in good shape and course conditions are suitable for safe conduct of the event. 2. The race director shall obtain all necessary permits and permission needed to conduct the race. 3. The race director shall conduct cell phone checks with all aid stations. 4. The race director will involve Dr. Niebur and Pitkin County Sheriff deputy in planning of the race including reviewing medical contingencies. During the Event Road, Trail, and Traffic-related Incidents 1. Any incident requiring medical or police response will be reported to 911. Medical emergencies will be referred to 911 and to the Aspen Valley Hospital. On course minor injuries will be handled at the nearest aid station or by the medical team. 2. The bib number of any runner who drops out of the race or falls behind the pace vehicle will be reported to the Race Director. Those runners who fall behind, chose to drop and/or are pulled by the sweeper team will be provided transportation to the finish line and their cars. Those refusing to leave the course will be advised that they are no longer part of the race and will be considered pedestrians. The bib number of any person refusing support will be reported to the race director. Location of EMT s/volunteers/course Marshals 1. EMT s Equipped with Radios/Satellite phones to communicate to race director and sheriff s deputy, will be placed at the following locations. These EMT s will be volunteers. They will be directed to tend to minor injuries and assess the situation, all other injuries, will be directed to call 911. a. Aid Station 1 Robby Wade Lookout b. Aid Station 2 Van Horn Park (Mile Marker 9) c. Mile Marker (10) d. Mile Marker (14) e. Mile Marker17 (Ambulance to be stationed during the duration of the event) Aid Station 3 f. Mile Marker19 which is also Aid Station 4 and 5 g. Mile Marker 23 Aid Station 6 Koch Park Aspen Backcountry Marathon 2
2. Two Flaggers will be located on Mclain Flats Road where the racers cross from the bottom of Sunnyside, to Rio Grande Trail. Two Flaggers will be located at Tiehack Road. 3. Volunteers will be placed along the course in town, for the start of the race, as well as for the finish. In addition we will have course marshals at Key intersections along the course. Communication During the event, EMT s and aid stations will be in radio contact with the race director and the sheriff s deputy. These Radios will be rented from All State Communications. The purpose of the radios is to put EMT s and course Marshals and course sweeps in communication with each other. If an injury occurs it will be radioed to the sheriff s deputy. The condition of the injured will be determined and if needed, 911 will be called. Lost Runner(s) The following actions will be taken in the event a runner fails to finish the race and is reported lost. 1. Conduct a record check of the race computer to ensure that the runner started the race and did not finish the race. 2. Notify the Race Director that there is a runner missing. The race director will carry with him a list of all participants to include emergency contact information. 3. Contact all aid stations, sweeper team, and course marshals to ensure that the runner has not turned himself in for assistance. 4. If the runner is still not located direct volunteers to search most likely trail segments. Post Race The race director shall communicate to all park authorities that the race was successfully completed, that trails were left in the same condition as they were prior to the race and provide a brief summary of any incidents. If significant incidents or medical emergencies did occur, the race director shall also report that to the Chief who approved the safety plan for that year. Aspen Backcountry Marathon 3
Course Map Aspen Backcountry Marathon 4
Course Description A rough outline of the course is listed below. Please note that the course is subject to change (Updated 8/14/11): Start & finish in downtown Aspen @ Wagner Park From Wagner Park, up Smuggler Mountain to the intersection next to the Smuggler Overlook Up Smuggler Loop Trail to the Hunter Creek Cutoff Trail Down to the Hunter Creek Connector Trail to the Iowa Shaft Trail Iowa Shaft Trail down to the Hunter Creek Valley floor, turn left and head back downvalley on the south side of Hunter Creek to the 10th Mountain Bridge Head across the 10th Mtn. Bridge to the north side of the creek and head up valley past the ghost town to the Sunnyside / Plunge Trail Head up the Sunnyside / Plunge Trail to the Hunter Creek Rd., turn right. Bear right at the first y intersection towards Van Horn Park After ¼ mile, bear right onto the Hunter Creek Rim single track trail Turn left, up into Van Horn Park once the Hunter Creek Rim Trail intersects with dirt road At the high point in Van Horn Park, turn right and follow the Hobbit Trail to 4 Corners Run straight through 4 Corners to the Sunnyside Trail, follow the Sunnyside Trail to the Rio Grande Trail and Stein Park Up Cemetery Lane, around the Aspen Golf Course via SilverKing Road and then Homestake Road Down into the Maroon Creek Valley and underneath the Maroon Creek / Highway 82 Bridge and across the Bob Helm Bridge Climb out of the Maroon Creek Valley underneath the Terral / Wade Bridge to Tiehack Turn left on the Government Trail and follow the Govt. Trail up Buttermilk to the Sterner s Catwalk on Main Buttermilk Turn Right on Sterner s and follow it until it intersects with the Summer Road on Main Buttermilk Turn right and drop back down the Summer Rd. to the Oregon Trail and back down to the base of Tiehack Cross the Terral / Wade Bridge and turn right on singletrack onto the Moore Open Space Cross the Maroon Creek Pedestrian Bridge, around the Aspen Chapel to the Marolt Open Space Cross the Marolt Open Space, past the Community Garden to the Marolt Pedestrian Bridge to W. Hopkins Ave. Turn right on W. Hopkins Avenue to the Midland Trail Climb up the Little Cloud trail until it intersects with the Aspen Mountain Summer Road, turn left. Drop down the Aspen Mountain Summer Road until you get to a 3 way intersection. Turn left and follow the Lift 1A Road until it intersects with the Ajax Trail, turn left onto the Ajax Trail. Follow the Ajax Trail down across Aspen Mountain to Koch Lumber Park. Run through Koch Park and turn right onto Cooper St and follow it straight into Wagner Park to the finish. Aspen Backcountry Marathon 5
Aid Stations Mile Location Supplies Cut-off Times 3 Robby Wade Picnic Area Water, HEED 1hr, 10 minutes 7:10am 10.5 Four Corners Water, HEED, gels, pretzels 16 or 17 Sunnyside Parking Area or Stein Park Water, HEED, fruit, candy, cookies, potato chips, pretzels, and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. 6hrs, 30 min 12:30pm 19.75 21.75 Tiehack Water, HEED, fruit, candy, cookies, potato chips, pretzels, and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. 7hrs, 15 min 1:15pm 23 Koch Park 26.2! Finish Line Water, HEED, fruit, candy, cookies, potato chips, pretzels, and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. Water, HEED, fruit, candy, cookies, potato chips, pretzels, and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. Aspen Backcountry Marathon 6
Start/Finish Area within City of Aspen limits Aspen Backcountry Marathon 7
Finish/Start Line at Wagner Park Aspen Backcountry Marathon 8