[OH-KY-IN] Flying Pig Staff meeting -- major and trivial updates

[Steve Lewis]

Good evening!  Hopefully everyone is well-fortified for the impending
snow...

If you have not yet signed up for the Pig, please visit:
http://www.doitsports.com/volunteer/join-protected-group.tcl?event_id=54204
(password = HAM) to register.

The first Flying Pig staff meeting for Flying Pig X was held tonight...
here's my notes:

- Don is looking for a "secure area" at or near US Bank Arena for us to
operate from.  We'll see where it goes...

- there will be at least 6-8 courtesy vans for various transport needs
(medical and other).  As stated before, "transportation" is going to
become a big deal and is going to get its own frequency.

- courtesy vans will probably shuttle people to the nearest exchange
zone..."custom" rides are going to be logistically difficult.

- the Finish Line is on Pete Rose Way near US Bank Arena.

- the Start Line will be closer to Elm St.

- the route through downtown has changed COMPLETELY.  If you are
assigned in that area, toss your 2006-2007 maps -- they're not even close.

- the "alley" in Mariemont is out...contractors have it blocked.

- part of the Newport part of the course is on 5th St. instead of 4th,
to make up that distance.

- the finish line area is to close to traffic at 9am THURSDAY.  (And
there was much shock!)

- the medical area will be the "transit lot" adjacent to the Second St.
ramp to Pete Rose Way.  This is much bigger than previous and already
fenced on multiple sides.

- runners will finish and then turn in chips, pick up mylar, etc. on the
"tunnel" at the south end of Broadway.

- additional food and services for runners on Mehring Way.

- all areas south of Mehring Way (Sawyer Point) will be "open to the
public".  Anything marathon-related will be set up WEST of the "purple
people bridge".

- course will be closed on a 7-hour pace.  But there's a BIG CHANGE
here.  The sweep bus will deploy from Frisch's Mainliner at 12pm.
Before then, "closure" (move to sidewalks) is to be by a marked CPD vehicle.

- EVERY water stop that is tapping water from somewhere will have a
"drinking water hose", not a "garden hose".  Complaints about water
taste and what's in a garden hose...

- 100 more "port-o-lets" at the start

- new "oasis" just after the half "split"

- lighted signs to direct runners at the start to proper corral

- more effort being put into organized non-denominational service on
east side of PBS.

- REGISTRATION IS TRENDING UP 31%.  There are registered participants
from all 50 states and 14 other countries.

- Flying Pig Expo will be in "Hall A" this year.

- the Marathon is making a conscious effort to be more "green" --
recycling of waste, collection/donation of articles of clothing shed
along the course, etc.

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My take on all this is...the course changes downtown are going to make
RF coverage even more difficult than it previously was.  A lot of
thought will go into what frequencies are chosen, and where geographic
divisions are made.  We are open to recommendations (and have received
several) on the best ways to address this.

A "repeater coverage study" will happen in about a month (I think) --
some time after the weather breaks somewhat.  I'll be looking for some
assistance (even if you're sitting at home with a microphone) when it's
time to do this.

That's all for tonight.  We received complements (again) about our
efforts, and assurances "that the Pig can't do it without you!"  Thank
you for pushing the conversation in that direction!!

-73-