Miami International Inline Marathon

[DROID]

No need to argue,....................

1) The outdoor course at Brian Piccolo Park (BP Park) is located just next to (but not connected to) the outdoor banked track. The outdoor course can be skated either as a 500 meter loop or a 800 meter loop, depending on which curve you select. The course is VERY smooth and well maintained . It is ONLY for skaters and cyclists...... I have never seen anyone other than skaters on the course. The course has several turns (L and R) and the course is as wide as a road and perfectly flat. There is NEVER any automobile traffic on the course.

2) At one end of the course is a gate that I have never seen open. If it were to be opened,... it would allow you to skate directly on to the road of the park.... which is heavilly patrolled by security. This road is also perfectly flat and very smooth. It is quite easy to limit traffic in this park. This is really a large park with many fields and facilities. It is a gorgeous place and costs money to get in. So it is well patrolled with no stray traffic.

3) The park is located on Sheridan Street which is a major street that runs east to west and intersects the big interstate 95. From that intersection, it is about a 7 mile drive (WEST) to BP Park. There is a Holiday Inn at the 95 and Sheridan. This intersection is also very close to the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. There are MANY stores, restaurants etc on Sheridan St.

4) It costs $1.50 to drive into the park

5) There does seem to be some room for improvement,....... regarding INFO on this race. I have trained at BP Park several times so I know the area well, have family nearby, etc.. Also, this event seems to be a regular event for many skaters so most competitors and coaches already know the necessary info. HOWEVER,....... there are probably lots of skaters who will be interested in JUST the marathon. For these skaters it may be nice to provide some more detailed info,...... many will travel long distances just to be at this event, and for most, it will be the first time. The website really does not provide a plethora of info, especially as in my case,............ for a "road" skater with no interest in racing track events. It would be very cool to watch.

This race should be FANTASTIC. BP Park is a great place,.... South Florida is a great destination,...... the course really is great,.... so it seems to me like this should really be fun....... and I plan to be there in 2009.......... if I am alive then.

ENJOY A GREAT EVENT,

DROID

///...........//// One last thought,..... about U-turns................... very common in road marathons..... Napa, San Fran, Engadin, Houston, Silver Strand, San Mateo,.... all examples that come to mind,........ really do not create added risk. In BP Park, you will have plenty of opportunity to pre-view the course, so there should be no dangerous surprises...... I am not trying to be nasty (maybe a bit funny&sarcastic)...... but if you never want to kiss the pavement,.... just stay on the couch. OK,.... I owe someone a beer.

////.............//// OK...... final thought and then I really must go out and skate in the 45 mph wind storm here,...... as an event sponsor,... it may not be the best PR move to shut someone up........ on a public forum that is dealing with the very event you are promoting............. you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar,........ and I know I dish out some surly remarks,..... but they are almost always laced with humor,... plus I am not an event sponsor,.... just a weirdo-skater-guy.

[panch0]

DROID,

For the Marathon, the gates of the skating road course will be opened and part of the race circuit will be completed inside the streets of the Park.

I highly commend Tru Rev for sponsoring the Marathon and I hope soon they show us the race course! It would be very good for potential registrees to the Marathon to know the course of the race. I don't think anyone knows the course and skaters want to know it!

[JoeeD]

Not to involved in this battle, but I believe last year it was raining. That was the major cause of falls. Just staing facts.. sorry to interrupt. Lances uppppppppp, annnnnnnd Battle....

[Birgit]

Perhaps "Gneal" needs to say nothing about this course. He knows nothing about it and he is WRONG again. Gneal states: " I does have 2 RH turns at the same intersection, though, SO PAY ATTENTION. If you miss this turn, you will run into oncoming traffic!!! ". This simply is not true. The course will have traffic cones set up so their will be no way anyone would do such a thing. This course is the exact course of the Pan American Championships and there was NO complaints from all of the best speed skaters in the world. The course was approved by "Jorge Botero" (One of best skaters in World consistently for over a decade), "Ed Muelller" (Has coached World Class skaters and put on World class events consistently for over 2 decades), "Julio Polomino (park official) and myself Desmond Kameka (major sponsor) all of whom has extensive experience on making this event safe for all skaters.

Tru-Rev; I went on the Marathons MySpace but I must have a "my space blind spot" or something like that, because I could not find the map of the course. Could you please put a link here, to the 42K map.

I heard this rumor out in town that the course will close down before the last skater has finished and that only top 10 or so will be able to finish the 42K. Is that a rumor or is it a fact.

Thanks in advance for your answer.

[panch0]

[JoeeD]

Well Sorry, but I was there for 99.9% of the races since we host this event, and I do not believe ( I might be wrong) that any races were "canceled" but rather delayed. Some people did not want to wait around and they were told to stick around. IF the rain ceased, the races would be run. I do know that the track was not dry and that it still had signs of rain, that is the perils of road racing. Ed Mueller hosts one of the best meets of the year and of all people, is Ed going to jeaopardize the safety of any skater, yet, he will not cancel if there is no need to. He is a firm believer of "The SHow Must Go on".. SO, that is why races were run, yes you had to be ready, but all were told to be ready.
This years races will be no exception, It will be an awesome weekend of racing and with the addition of the Miami marathon portion, Desmond is trying to enhance the event and bring in even more international competition (if he makes a dollar or two, God Bless him) . IF the track has right hand hairpin or a hoop and a jump, the same, you have to come with the right attitude to skate, have fun, and enjoy our sport. Ed has approved the course and he is on the rules committe for speed in USARS, I would say that his word is pretty good, and that the course is layed out right and Desmond nor Ed, or the city of Cooper City are going to risk the safety of anyone. Lets just all get along... WOW, and I did not want to get in on this battle.. BUT, Sometimes it is up to us old timers to step in a say a word.

[DROID]

Since I plan to do the Miami marathon in 2009,.......... I will be very interested to hear the reviews of this upcoming 2008 race.

It will be epsecially interesting to hear if the course is closed early and only a few top skaters are allowed to finish. That would really seem strange since the roads within the park are not public, if you know what I mean.............. they are ONLY for the park,.... not through-ways.

It sounds like the course should be just fine,... may be challenging but also,.... totally flat, and very smooth,.......... so in some ways.... easy. That is all part of racing on the road. It should be very easy to get a pre-view of the course before the race,.... and that should be sufficient for anyone.

DROID

[Tru-Rev]

I can tell you that this course is significantly less challenging than A2A, Long Beach, and Disney. Not to say technical courses are not appealing. In fact, many skaters like more technical courses due to the fact that it takes more skating skill and is a personal challenge, it's more exciting, and it also allows them to strategize based on their skill and athletic ability. Champions can win on any course- not just the "easy" ones or the type of courses that they train on.... More importantly, it's about having fun and being a part of a great skating event!!!

Enclosed is a link to a satellite view:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... =338564108

[Tru-Rev]

Congratulations to Jonathan Simkins for being the first pre-race contest winner.

The second drawing will take place on Friday January 11. To participate in the next contest have your completed race registration form faxed to 954-316-1681 by 9 am (EST) on January 11.

The prize for the next drawing will be a set of Tru-Rev 608 Bearings.

Good luck and keep the registration forms coming.

[BWI-Sheldon]

Form sent, I'm in.

[panch0]

I think I got off on the wrong foot here!

I apologize if I am making it sound like this race weekend is a bad deal!

I want to tell everyone that The Palm Beach Challenge is a great skating meet! I doubt if there is a better meet in the USA and I can only think of the Tampa Classic as a suitable match!

I am very happy that a company such as Tru Rev has taken an initiative to sponsor an additional event such as The Miami Marathon!

My comments were not directed towards any safety issues because there are non on behalf of the organizers!

My comments were directed at those skaters who are planning to do the marathon and have yet to work on some skating skills. I personally have a few friends that are coming to Miami to do it and I don't think these friends ahev the skills but yet they are quite free spirited and I am sure they'll do fine!

I am still recovering from my broken wrist and I am not sure if I'll skate the marathon as I fear to further injure my very tender wrist. I do however, hope to recover and I am sure I'll give you guys a runs for your bucks in the 2009 Miami Marathon... I'll be looking forward to skating with DROID !

[ultrask8]

double posted, sorry