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$B?7$7$$%a!<%k%"%I%l%9$r$*CN$i$;$7$^$9?7$7$$%a!<%k%"%I%l%9!'(B drken_dk0101@yahoo.co.jp
I NEED YOUR SERVICE ON CHARITY PROJECT WHICH I WANT TO EXTABLISH IN YOUR COUNTRY DUE TO MY PRESENT CONDITION.

GET BACK TO ME FOR FUTHER DETAILS.

- Dr. Kenneth Dickson

What an essay James!

Interesting points. As someone who was a former race committee member I would disagree with the some of the reasons regarding the drop in numbers though. R2R had a very sucessful formula until about the mid 1990's, where things changed in the format and the rules, particularly in the pro division. THe race seemed to lose it's appeal to folks on this side (west) of the mountains at that time. By contrast Ski to Sea has had no problem keeping it's appeal going and it is an older, tougher, more techincal race than R2R.

Thousands of people in North Central Washington are former R2R competitors, but no longer participate. When I ask them why not, the majority cite the run leg of the race as the prime reason they don't want to do it. Running downhill for 4 miles is brutal on the legs, and for the most part only extreme athletes are willing to do it year after year. Why don't we see high school age cross country/track distance runners in this race? Because their coaches don't want them to do it. The eco boomer class is an answer to this problem, and it is in its infancy at this stage. I think in coming years we will see the numbers in the eco boomer class rise dramatically, and hopefully these athletes will graduate on to the adult race.
Another reason cited is the Wenatchee river. It is technical. One or two practice runs is really not sufficient. More on that later.
The R2R participation numbers were declining long before the race was changed in '06 to a Saturday event. Compare R2R to Pole Peddle Paddle in Bend, Oregon. PPP and R2R are very similar, in that they include (in PPP order) Alpine, Nordic, Bike, Run, Paddle, Portage. PPP is in a city similar in size to Wenatchee, though in a state smaller in population, and is located about 2 1/2 hrs from the states major population center, Portland. PPP gets 850+ entries a year, of which the majority are made up of 5 person teams. Thats around 3,000 competitors. PPP is held on a SATURDAY.
If moving R2R back to Sunday would bring numbers back up to 1987 levels, then couldn't the argument be made that moving Jr.R2R to Sunday would further boost its numbers? I don't think so.
Keep R2R family friendly by keeping it on Saturday.
If one goal is to bring in larger numbers from the west side, then throw them a bone by making this years paddle leg permanent for the Columbia course and create a Columbia course division that can use pro equipment. Give the Columbia course pro division a longer bike leg than just running straight out to Confluence. Send them a few miles up the Wenatchee Hts road off Squilchuck and do a turn around back down to Squilchuck. This will give them some hill climbing miles as well as added distance. The Wenatchee Hts road is already affected by the Squilchuck road closure to uphill traffic, so the details would not be that hard to work out.
Moving the race back to Sunday may gain back a few out of towners, but will cost the race a few locals at the same time and in the end will result in no net gain in participation. The reasons for the decline in participation is the extreme nature of the race. Address those issues first.

I say move the race back to Sunday. R to R was in it's absolute prime when it was a Sunday race and people from all over could get there to compete. Moving to Saturday is probably one reason why the attendance isn't even half of what it was during the peak years of the event.

TORIN!!! COOL PICS!! So did ya go all the way to Munich to get that one beer? Thanx much, now alls ya gotta do is go get yourself a gold medal! Take care ya stud you....see ya next year!

And hardly....finishing at the back on borrowed skiis might be from running twice, biking twice and paddling once...now thats training for the race!.....hence the 3.5hr finish time!!!

Full circle cycle......along with the autographed pic of you in the olympics kevin said youd give me....!! Well maybe he didnt say that... you looked in a hurry in the newspaper.....! Kev will be back next year so we will both be gunnin for ya..

Wildthing, where's the Rising Moon white lighting drop off point?

So thats why you're finishing at the back of the Cross Country pack with those new skate ski's. You don't want anyone to see you ski full speed into the parking lot! Now I'm on to you! NEXT YEAR!!!

Changing your socks??? Time for a shower and Java too? ha ha ha...alpine time stops when you hit the beginning of the parking lot.

Sunday is such an awesome idea. Do it!

OK, I'm starting to get it. When does the time stop on the downhill? Is my slow transition into my running shoes also counting towards my skiing time? I've been changing my socks. I guess thats out too huh? Thanks for your help

Cant hardly....rear entry boots I can get into already buckled, baby powder really helps, no laces on x-country boots, undo velcro on the last glide.....and my new secret weapon....My son.

I got into the race because it moved to Saturday. Move it to Sunday, and I'm gone.
The Wenatchee river has always been a part of this race, and there should be no debate about going back to it if cfs levels are in an acceptable range (2,000+). Given the circumstances, the "Wenatchee" course that was set up this last week was a decent alternative, but it didn't match the thrill of the real Wenatchee course.