IRONMAN POCONO 70.3 2011 SWIM CANCELLED

The inaugural Ironman Pocono 70.3 2011 has now become the inaugural Ironman Pocono Duathlon 2011 because of high water levels in the Delaware River.

There are sure to be many disappointed triathletes among the 2000 who signed up for the inaugural Ironman Pocono 70.3 set to take place on Sunday October 2, 2011.

Because of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, the area has experienced heavier than usual amounts of rain.

What was expected to be a swim in the calm waters of the Delaware River at Smithfield Beach has now become a serious hazard.

You can bet that these decisions are not made lightly and it is just as disappointing to race officials who have spent months and months preparing for the inaugural Ironman Pocono 70.3.

It was estimated early in the week by the National Park Service that the river had to come down about 7 feet in order to make it safe. At the time of the cancellation the river was had risen to 15.77 feet with 8 feet being considered the “safe” zone.

Both the swift current and the amount of debris in the water finally brought about the cancellation of the 1.2 mile swim.

However, what will people think next year? Entry fees will not be refunded for the Pocono event and will triathletes want to risk the same thing happening in 2012?

It might take a radical course change–like perhaps a lake swim–to ensure triathletes will come back in 2012.

It is unlikely that it will be a popular choice when you consider the training and expenses involved for the average triathlete to even make it to a race. It may seem like too much of a risk with the unsettled weather patterns these days.

Often the inaugural running of any Ironman race in the world will set the tone for the following years as far as participation.

If something like this happens in the 10th running of an Ironman event, then it is taken in stride and athletes will still return to the event knowing that this is not the norm.

A good example is Ironman Canada when the region experienced severe smoke conditions due to forest fires. The marathon became several loops instead of the out and back that many triathletes love about the course.

It never hurt entry levels and Ironman Canada never missed a beat and once again sold out in one day for the following year. That’s because everyone knew that it was a great event because of it’s past history and the year of the smoke was abnormal.

The cancelled swim leg of the race might be considered very good news by some of the age-groupers(and even pros)who are using the Pocono 70.3 as a means to qualify for the world championships.

If entry fees are not being refunded and the race is going ahead, then it follows that the available qualifying spots and championship points(and prize money)will still be up for grabs.

There are those who are slow swimmers but great bikers and runners so it most definitely changes the dynamics of the entire race.

Triathletes will also have all that energy they never had to use in the swim so expect a blistering pace to be set by the top pros out on the course and run course.

If you are a triathlete for long enough, these things will happen and really, it’s all part of the risk when you enter any Ironman event.

It’s sort of like booking a holiday in a tropical location and it rains every day. You just make the best out of a not so great situation.

I sincerely hope that triathlete community will come out and support the Ironman Pocono 70.3 2012 and give organizers the opportunity to show how great this event really can be under less difficult circumstances.

What a stunning venue and over the years the Pocono 70.3 could well become one of the favorite destinations for the triathletes of the world.

Best of luck and a safe race to all those who are competing on Sunday.