Thank you to all of the athletes, volunteers, and spectators who came out for the 2008 Zone Urban Epic Triathlon. By all accounts it was an outstanding day, full of challenge, inspiration, and excitement. Our staff worked tirelessly for months to make the Zone Urban Epic a reality, and seeing the joy on people’s faces at the finish line made it all worthwhile.
 
Like the city it takes place in, the Zone Urban Epic is dynamic and ever-evolving – that’s what makes it urban and so unique. Within the city setting, challenges arise and shift, and the race itself adapts – that’s what makes it Epic. As race directors, we are committed to keeping tabs on the pulse of the city and adjusting the event as needed to keep it safe, fun, and full of the spirit of Portland.
 
This year, two unscheduled circumstances presented on the swim: dense fog that prevented us from seeing the first buoy, and a large tree floating in the middle of the course. As safety is paramount, these occurrences necessitated holding off on the swim start. The 25-minute delay meant that the current from the outgoing tide strengthened. In the Mackworth area of Casco Bay, the current increases significantly as it approaches mid-tide, and that is what happened on race day. It became clear after the elite wave started that the original course was not going to work. We conferred with the Coast Guard and kayakers and made the decision to alter the course in the interest of safety for the remaining athletes. The elites were forced to swim for approximately 10 minutes longer on average than the rest of the field, which is why we have two sets of results from the race. The current made for a challenging swim for many athletes, but 99 percent of those who started finished – that is an amazing testament to the caliber of competitors we had at the event.
 
Athlete safety is our top priority. To ensure safety at the ZUE, we organized the Coast Guard, Harbormasters, Cape WETeam, dozens of kayakers/boaters, 25 police officers in three municipalities, multiple ambulances, physicians, nurses, paramedics, mechanics, and many volunteers and staff into a complex, coordinated network. Operating this network was, and always is, one of the most important things we do. It is the foundation upon which we build our events.
 
With the Zone Urban Epic only in its second year, we have learned a lot and have already begun planning for 2009. Key improvements will include additional buoys on the swim course; more volunteers and signage to help with directions on the bike; and some tweaks on the run. Your insights on the race are very important to us and we encourage you to contact us with your thoughts and suggestions for improvements. Please email us at: info@tri-maine.com.
 
Thank you again for making Zone Urban Epic Portland a huge success. Continue to check the website for new developments involving both the race and the Urban Epic brand in general. Look for registration to open in the fall.
 
Train Fun and Race Fast.

Best,

Will, Pete, Nicole, Mark, Colman, Amy, Nick & Melissa
Tri-Maine