* Verizon Iron Girl Clearwater Half Marathon & 5K Presented by Bouchard Insurance 04.13.14 Clearwater, FL *Information as of 4/7/14
Welcome Letter On behalf of Iron Girl, I wish to welcome you to the 2014 Iron Girl Clearwater event. I am excited to kick off the Iron Girl Event Series with this race in our own backyard. Our 11th annual event is known for its legendary bridges on the course. The Memorial Causeway (5K and Half Marathon) and Sand Key Bridge (Half Marathon only) offers each participant beautiful views of Clearwater Beach. The supportive crowds gather along the course motivating you over the bridges and cheering you back to the finish line in Coachman Park. I would like to thank the City of Clearwater, including the Parks and Recreation Department, Police Department, Fire Department, Parking and Roadway Personnel, Pinellas County, Sand Key Park, FITniche (for our pace groups), the FSMTA Sports Massage (for complimentary massages), and all our local help for supporting and making this event a reality. In addition, I would like to thank the volunteers who give so much. Their effort and support helps each participant realize her Iron Girl dream. Enjoy your time in Clearwater and good luck to you for a safe and successful race! Sarah Frey Iron Girl Race Director
Welcome Letter On behalf of Iron Girl, I wish to welcome you to the 2014 Iron Girl Clearwater event. I am excited to kick off the Iron Girl Event Series with this race in our own backyard. Our 11th annual event is known for its legendary bridges on the course. The Memorial Causeway (5K and Half Marathon) and Sand Key Bridge (Half Marathon only) offers each participant beautiful views of Clearwater Beach. The supportive crowds gather along the course motivating you over the bridges and cheering you back to the finish line in Coachman Park. I would like to thank the City of Clearwater, including the Parks and Recreation Department, Police Department, Fire Department, Parking and Roadway Personnel, Pinellas County, Sand Key Park, FITniche (for our pace groups), the FSMTA Sports Massage (for complimentary massages), and all our local help for supporting and making this event a reality. In addition, I would like to thank the volunteers who give so much. Their effort and support helps each participant realize her Iron Girl dream. Enjoy your time in Clearwater and good luck to you for a safe and successful race! Sarah Frey Iron Girl Race Director
Schedule of Events PARTICIPANT PACKET PICK-UP AND LATE REGISTRATION Someone can pick-up your packet for you, or you can pick-up other people s packets. Packet pick-up includes your bib number, timing chip, and athlete shirt. Wednesday, April 9 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sports Authority Clearwater Store 23662 US Highway 19 North, Clearwater Thursday, April 10 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sports Authority Westshore Store 4900 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa Friday, April 11 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Fit2Run at International Plaza 2223 North West Shore Blvd., Tampa Adjacent to the food court Saturday, April 12 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Coachman Park 300 Cleveland Street, Clearwater Sunday, April 13 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Coachman Park 300 Cleveland Street, Clearwater RACE DAY 7:00 a.m. Half Marathon Start Coachman Park 7:30 a.m. 5K Start Coachman Park
Parking Information Arrive early to secure one of the 425 FREE parking spots at Coachman Park - entrance via Cleveland St. or Osceola Ave. This lot is the closest to the start/finish line and will fill up fast. Additional free parking available in various city parking lots, street parking, and surrounding parking garages: Garden Avenue Garage - 28 Garden Avenue Municipal Services Garage - 640 Pierce St. Station Square Parking Garage - 628 Cleveland St. Atrium Parking Garage - 601 Cleveland St. Clearwater Tower - 33 N. Garden Avenue Parking prohibited in lot 16 - Court & Garden Ave., lot 17 - Court St. & Ft. Harrison and lot 24 - Chestnut St. Cars will be ticketed. Please allow enough time to find a parking space, park and walk to the venue. Permit even more time if registering or picking up packet race day morning. And the lines for the port-o-lets get longer the closer to the start of the race. Keep all of this in mind when setting your alarm for Sunday morning! See parking map for more details.
Parking Information Arrive early to secure one of the 425 FREE parking spots at Coachman Park - entrance via Cleveland St. or Osceola Ave. This lot is the closest to the start/finish line and will fill up fast. Additional free parking available in various city parking lots, street parking, and at the surrounding parking garages: Garden Avenue Garage - 28 Garden Avenue Municipal Services Garage - 640 Pierce St. Station Square Parking Garage - 628 Cleveland St. Atrium Parking Garage - 601 Cleveland St. Clearwater Tower - 33 N. Garden Avenue Parking prohibited in lot 16 - Court & Garden Ave., lot 17 - Court St. & Ft. Harrison and lot 24 - Chestnut St. Cars will be ticketed. Please allow enough time to find a parking space, park and walk to the venue. Permit even more time if registering or picking up packet race day morning. And the lines for the port-o-lets get longer the closer to the start of the race. Keep all of this in mind when setting your alarm for Sunday morning!
Frequently Asked Questions Q: Can someone pick-up my race packet for me? A: Yes, just make sure they know your bib number. Q: Are strollers, dogs, bicycles, headphones, in line skates, roller blades or skateboards, etc. allowed on the course? A: For the safety of all participants we do not allow strollers, dogs, bicycles, roller blades or skateboards, etc. on the course. As a participant in the event you must wear your bib number on course at all times. Q: Where does my race bib go? A: Please affix your race bib to the FRONT of your shirt or with a race belt. We need to see that bib number at all times. Q: Will I receive an award for completing the race? A: Whether you finish first or last, all race participants will receive a custom finisher s medal as soon as you cross the finish line. We believe all athletes should be awarded for their success. Q: Where can I find results after the race? A: Results will be posted at www.irongirl.com on the event specific Web site under the results tab. Your personal finishing time will be also be emailed to you following the race. Q: What if I need to use the restroom before, during or after a race? A: If you gotta go, you gotta go! There will be Port-O-Lets throughout the race venue and located on course. Q. What if the weather is bad on race day? A. The are no rain dates if the event is cancelled and there are no refunds if the event is cancelled. Q. During the race, I decided I can t complete the 1/2 Marathon and I finish in the 5K. What do I need to do? A. Please make sure that once you come across the finish line, you find the timing tent and let them know you didn t do the 1/2 Marathon and came in with the 5K instead, so they can make the switch. This is important because if you registered for the 1/2 Marathon but come in with the 5K your time will likely be the fastest of the 1/2 Marathon finishers. This would take an age group placement away from someone who did the 1/2 Marathon.
Race Information Awards Milestones Sports Jewelry will present a special piece of Iron Girl jewelry to the top three finishers in each age group and the overall mother daughter team. Medals Everyone will receive a finisher s medal! Timing & Withdrawing During Race Your timing chip is attached to the back of the bib. Bibs must be worn at all times during the race. If you drop out from the race at any time, please inform a member of the race staff. It is essential that we know where you are on the course at all times for your safety and our peace of mind. Headphones The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged. Please be mindful of the other participants and respect the race personnel to ensure a safe and enjoyable race for everyone. Half Marathon Pace Requirements FITniche will be providing pace groups for the half marathon. There will be a 4 hour time limit for the Half Marathon. An 18:18 - minute per mile pace or faster must be maintained for the Half Marathon. 5K Pace Requirements There will be a 75 minute time limit for the 5K. Corrals are based on race pace, with faster expected finish times in the front and walkers in the back. It s recommended that casual runners start at the back of the pack and work up to a comfortable pace.
Race Information Weather The weather at the start of the first race is vastly cooler than the weather at the end of the race, with a typical 10 to 15-degree variance. It could be 50 degrees when you hit the start line and 70-plus when you cross the finish line. Be prepared for this change! Hydration is key to a successful race particularly if it is an unseasonably hot or humid day. What you drink the day before and prior to the race will make all the difference between a painful or prideful race day. Avoid alcohol and salty food the night before to avoid dehydration and drink plenty of water. Gear Check A gear check tent will be available in the expo area of Coachman Park starting at 5:30am. Half Marathon and 5K participants may check one gear bag on race morning. The line can get long so drop off early and have your bag ready. Plastic gear check bags will be available for those who need it. Please do not leave any valuables in your bag. We are not responsible for any lost or misplaced items. Race Etiquette In order to ensure everyone has an amazing race experience, keep the following race etiquette items in mind while running. Occasionally look over your shoulders to not impede anyone s path and use extra caution when stopping to tie a shoe, fixing an ipod, or grabbing water from the aid station. Look behind you when discarding cups or trash. Most importantly, if taking a leisurely, enjoyable approach to the race, the safest route is the right-hand side to not impede other runners trying to keep a pace.
Course Map
Course Information Course Turn by Turn Directions Half Marathon 1. Start Coachman Park on Drew St. adjacent to water 2. North on Drew, then continue east on Drew, right on Osceola Ave. 3. Right on Court St., across the Causeway, through the Roundabout 4. Head south on Gulfview Blvd. to Gulf Blvd., over the Sand Key Bridge 5. Right turn into Sand Key Park, loop around park parking lot 6. Exit Sand Key Park and take a right heading back south on Gulf Blvd. 7. Cross Gulf Blvd., heading north on Gulf Blvd., back over the Sand Key Bridge 8. Left on Bayway Blvd. 9. Right on Gulfview Blvd. 10. Right on S. Hamden Dr. 11. Left on 1st St. 12. Right on Coronado Dr., cross over to path 13. Take path all the way back over Memorial Causeway 14. Take Helix back down, cross Pierce & Cleveland Street at Coachman Park back to finish Course Turn by Turn Directions 5K 1. Start Coachman Park on Drew St. adjacent to water 2. North on Drew, then continue east on Drew, right on Osceola Ave. 3. Right on Court St., out onto the Causeway 4. West on the Causeway to turn around 5. Head back East to Coachman Park via Causeway 6. Left on Oak Ave. 7. Left on Osceola Ave. 8. Left on Cleveland St. to finish
Course Information Half Marathon course and the 5K course start and finish in Coachman Park. Both the Half Marathon and 5K courses are USA Track and Field certified. Aid Stations There will be 1 aid station along the 5K course and a total of 8 aid stations and 1 food stop along the Half Marathon course. Each aid station along Half Marathon course will be serving water and Gatorade. The food stop along the Half Marathon course will be providing Gu Energy Gels and GU Chomps. 5K Location*: Aid Station 1 bottom of Causeway Bridge (in the median) Half Marathon Locations*: Mile 1.5 bottom of Causeway Bridge (in the median) Mile 3 Gulfview Blvd. (at Barefoot Beach House) Mile 4.5 Entrance to Sand Key Park Mile 6 Exit Sand Key Park food station Mile 8 - Gulf Blvd. & Marina Del Rey Court Girl Scout Cookies Mile 9.5 Gulf Blvd. & Sailing Center Mile 11 - Bayway Blvd. & Gulf Blvd. Mile 12 Memorial Causeway east of the Marina Mile 13 Memorial Causeway at base of bridge adjacent to parking lot (west side) *ALL AID STATION LOCATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE
Post Race Information Massages Free 10 minute massages will be provided by Florida State Massage Therapy Assoc. post race for all participants. $12 for an additional 10 minutes, $24 for 20 minutes, $36 dollars for 30 minutes. Massage tent will be located in the expo area near Breakfast Café. Awards Ceremony The awards ceremony is scheduled after the race (pending final results being available) and will be located at Coachman Park. 5K awards will start around 9:30 a.m. and the half marathon will start around 10:30 a.m. Race Results On race day you will receive a personalized email with your results. Post Race Recovery Got Chocolate Milk? is proud to be the Official Refuel Beverage of the Iron Girl Event Series The participant post-race Breakfast Café will open after the first finisher and will be located at Coachman Park. The Breakfast Café is for PARTICIPANTS ONLY. A tear tag on the bib grants access to the food tents. Race Photography FinisherPix is proud to serve as the official photographers for the 2014 Iron Girl Women s Event Series. Photos available to view and order online after the race. A few days post race you will receive an email with your photos. What do you need to do for a good photo? 1. Have your race/bib number visible at all times. 2. Smile when you cross the finish line! 3. Visit at www.finisherpix.com/ to view and order photos.
Frequently Asked Questions Q: Can someone pick-up my race packet for me? A: Yes, just make sure they know your bib number. Q: Are strollers, dogs, bicycles, headphones, in line skates, roller blades or skateboards, etc. allowed on the course? A: For the safety of all participants we do not allow strollers, dogs, bicycles, roller blades or skateboards, etc. on the course. As a participant in the event you must wear your bib number on course at all times. Q: Where does my race bib go? A: Please affix your race bib to the FRONT of your shirt or with a race belt. We need to see that bib number at all times. Q: Will my friends and family be able to track me on race day? A: Yes, race day tracking will be available via the Iron Girl App. To download the Iron Girl App, search Iron Girl in itunes or the Play Store. Q: Where can I find results after the race? A: Results will be posted at www.irongirl.com on the event specific Web site under the results tab. Your personal finishing time will be also be emailed to you following the race. Q: What if I need to use the restroom before, during or after a race? A: If you gotta go, you gotta go! There will be Port-O-Lets throughout the race venue and located on course. Q. What if the weather is bad on race day? A. The are no rain dates if the event is cancelled and there are no refunds if the event is cancelled. Q. During the race, I decided I can t complete the Half Marathon and I finish in the 5K. What do I need to do? A. Please make sure that once you come across the finish line, you find the timing tent and let them know you didn t do the Half Marathon and came in with the 5K instead, so they can make the switch. This is important because if you registered for the Half Marathon but come in with the 5K your time will likely be the fastest of the Half Marathon finishers. This would take an age group placement away from someone who did the Half Marathon.
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