: Dear Squiggy Participant:
Race weekend is here! We are so excited to bring you a full weekend of skating events. We’ve put a lot of preparation into making this a race you’ll want to come back to every year. This email serves as your pre-race instructions and information – please read over everything carefully.
Most importantly – race weekend is also spring ahead weekend!!!
Please make sure to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
Don’t miss the race!
Friday Night – Pajama Skate in the Dark
The Friday Night Pajama Skate in the Dark will meet at 7pm at the ranger station, and roll out at 7:30 pm. Pajamas and glowsticks are recommended, but helmets are mandatory! Other safety gear (wrist guards and pads) are recommended. No headphones allowed. Please bring a light of some sort to attach to yourself so other skaters can see you. Headlamps and flashlights are also recommended (so you can see the beasties in the bushes!) You can do the 7 mile loop, or 11 miles if you choose to skate the 2 mile extension to Bruce B. Downs.
Saturday - Time Trials
The time trial will begin at 11am or shortly thereafter (depending on the cyclists’ time trial before us). Skate 7 miles as fast as you can. Teams will start first, followed by individuals. Please arrive early so you can get your chip. Don’t forget your race number!
Skaters will be sent off at 30 second intervals. Helmets are mandatory! Other safety gear (wrist guards and pads) are recommended. If you’re doing the individual time trial, you may pass other skaters, but NO DRAFTING! This means you must stay at least 10 feet away from the skater in front of you unless you’re passing. This is the only skate of the weekend in which you are permitted to wear headphones. If you need water for the time trial, please bring your own – there will not be water handouts on the course Saturday. Please stick around for the awards ceremony afterwards at the Y, provided by Inline Warehouse. .
Saturday – Expo
Please join us at the host hotel from 3-5pm on Saturday for a vendor expo – come get everything you need for the race on Sunday. The address is:
The address is:
Wingate Hotel
17301 Dona Michelle Drive
Tampa, FL 33647
Sunday - Marathon and Half Marathon
Again, don’t forget to set your clocks!
Course map: The course is 7 miles long. Full marathon skaters will complete the loop 4 times. Half marathon skaters will complete the loop twice. Please keep track of the number of loops you have completed. If you cut a lap short, the time discrepancy will be noticeable.
Start:
Please meet at the Y (next to the vendors) at 8:45am for announcements and the national anthem. All skaters will roll out to the start lines together at approximately 8:50am.
Full Marathon skaters will be starting at mile 1.32.
Waves:
Elite Men 9:00
Elite Master Men 9:02
All Elite Women 9:04
Open 9:06
No cross-gender drafting is allowed in the elite divisions.We ask that Open division skaters line up appropriately in relation to ability – faster skaters should start up front, and slower skaters/beginners should start in the back.
Half Marathon skaters will be starting at mile .66. You will be sent off approximately 10 minutes after the full marathon starts.
Finish Line:
After finishing their second loop, half marathon skaters should go straight at the finish area, while full marathon skaters will go left to continue to skate the loop. When coming to mile 7 for the 4th time, marathon skaters should go straight, across the finish line.
Attention – course changes!!! This year, the finish area is slightly different – a bypass has been created on the inside of the course that allows skaters continuing on the course to curve to the left behind the water station instead of making a hard left in front of the water station. If you’ve skated Squiggy before, please take some time to note these changes on race day.
General Information
Packet Pickup: You have four opportunities to pick up your race packet.
Friday night at the night skate from 6pm – 9pm, at the ranger station
Saturday at the time trial from 10am – 2pm, at the ranger station
Saturday afternoon at the expo from 3pm – 5pm, at the Wingate Inn
Sunday - race morning starting at 7am, at the ranger station
Parking: You will be directed by a volunteer to park either in the lot at the ranger station, or in the auxiliary parking area. New for this year – no parking will be allowed beyond the auxiliary parking lot on the right side of the entry road, just past the ranger station. Also new for this year – Hillsborough County is now charging $2 per car for entrance to the park. We know it’s a hassle, but it’s keeping the parks open!!
Rules: Helmets are required! You cannot start the race unless you’re wearing a helmet that’s secured under your chin. Other safety gear (wrist guards and pads) are recommended. Headphones are NOT allowed during the marathon, half marathon or night skate for the safety of all skaters. Strollers are permitted on the night skate, but NOT permitted during the marathon and half marathon. Cross gender drafting IS allowed in the marathon and half marathon (except for elite skaters). Unsportsmanlike conduct is unacceptable. Please skate on the right side of the trail at all times unless passing. Please refrain from skating side by side. This will allow for the faster skaters to pass on your left. Please call out to other skaters to make them aware that you’re passing..
Race Numbers: Don’t forget your number! Please pin your race numbers on your right thigh, and place one of your helmet stickers on the front of your helmet and on the other on the right side. Smile for the photographer :-)
Timing: You will be picking up your timing chips at the ranger station on race morning. Please have your number with you so you will receive the correct chip.
Caution areas: The Flatwoods 7 mile loop is one of the safest and most beautiful courses you will ever skate on. The miles are marked on the right side of the trail by yellow signs with red numbers. There are only two areas of concern. The first is at approximately mile marker 2.5, where you will come to a bridge. There is a crack in the pavement that runs along the right side of the trail – just be aware of it. The second is at approximately mile marker 3.3, where the course makes a sharp left turn. These areas will be marked. Otherwise, just watch out for the wildlife – armadillos, squirrels, snakes, deer, etc. are abundant out here in the wilderness.
Water stops:There will be two water stops – one at approximately mile .2 (right after the finish line) and another after the turn at approximately mile 3.3. New for this year – there will be no water in the shelters, so please plan accordingly. Please make sure to hydrate properly and wear sunblock. It can get hot.
Rain Policy: The races will take place rain or shine – plan accordingly. If there is thunder/lightning in the vicinity we may be forced to delay or cancel the event.
Volunteers: We can always use more help! If you have a family member/friend that isn’t participating in the race and would like to help out, please let us know. Send an email to info@squiggyclassicinline.com.
Awards/prizes: Please stick around for the awards ceremony and giveaways. We have tons of stuff to give away thanks to all of our great sponsors. Everyone that pre-registered has a chance to win a prize. You must be present to win. If we call your name and you’re not there – you cannot receive your prize!
Directions: From Interstate 75, take Fletcher (exit 266) and go east. Follow this road (now Morris Bridge) for approximately 5 miles. The Flatwoods Park entrance is on the left side of the road, marked by a small brown sign on the right. If you come to a light (Cross Creek), you’ve gone too far.
Squiggy 2011: Sign up for Squiggy 2011 and save! Race day pre-registration for next year is only $45!
Once again, thank you so much for supporting the Squiggy Classic. We look forward to seeing everyone this weekend!
