http://www.tcnj.edu/~gruenfel/smtt.html

The first ever Schuylkill Mile Time Trial running race!

Weather forecast for April 6 (updated on April 4): Partly sunny with a high temperature of 60-62!
Weather report (actual race conditions at 9am): 46-48 with light rain and 14-15mph wind from the east and northeast.
RACE EPILOGUE: See Race Results page!

   

The first ever Schuylkill Mile Time Trial running race!

  

I. Main Page
     A. Download Flyers
     B. Description
     C. New To Racing Tips
     D. Race Waiver
     E. Race Questions
     F. History
     G. Thank You List
     H. Contact Us
II. Photos, Maps, Directions
     A. Public Transportation
     B. Driving & Parking
     C. Course Photos & Maps
     D. Contact Us
III. Race Results
IV. Race Photos
V . Planning Page (for the
     SMTT Committee)
     A. Volunteer Locations
          & Task Descriptions
     B. Schedule Of Tasks
     C. Supplies Needed
     D. Pre-Race Tasks
     E. Contact Us

 

Download the flyer

in PDF format,
JPG format,
or the original
MS-Publisher.

Download the quick-reference flyer (4 per page)

in PDF format,
JPG format,
or the original
MS-Publisher.

NOTE: Please don't post these without permission.


Join us for the first ever Schuylkill Mile Time Trial running race! What's a time trial race? Instead of starting everyone out at once, only one person will start. Exactly 10 seconds later, the next runner starts, and every 10 seconds, we send out the next. It’s very exciting to run and watch! This is an accurately timed, accurately wheel measured race, for only $5 (cash only), with special guest: Olympic two-time bronze medalist runner!

It starts on the new Schuylkill River Park Trail (Schuylkill Banks) at the West River / King Drive "donut" just below the Philadelphia Museum of Art (where the bike path breaks off from King Drive), runs along the beautiful Schuylkill River, and ends at the Locust Street crossing. It's exactly one mile!

Cycling time trials have existed for years on King Drive. We can now do it for running on the Schuylkill River Park Trail. Start is 9:00 am on Sunday, April 6. Arrive at the start 30-90 minutes early for registration, please.

The fast course has a net downhill of 22 feet. We're even trying to arrange a tailwind! The course is marked every 1/4 mile. Bring your own watch, as we won't have timing clocks. No racing with headphones, strollers, or pets. We encourage you to run the course prior to the race.

We strongly encourage pre-registration, the day before (Saturday), 12:30 - 1:30pm & 4 - 6pm near the middle of the course (at the Race Street crossing). We will be at the closest bench with race bibs. Try to have exact $5.

Any net proceeds go to two groups focusing on the Schuylkill River Park Trail: Schuylkill River Park Alliance (Free Schuylkill River Park)(www.riverparkalliance.org) and Schuylkill River Development Corporation (Schuylkill Banks)(www.schuylkillbanks.org).

Wear your favorite running shirt, since for $5, we can’t give you any! We will have water (cups, too, though bringing your own drink can't hurt) at the start & finish plus race bibs. Prizes? Come on now, this is a simple grass-roots event, but we will have some at the awards ceremony, soon after everyone finishes. We’ll take photos, and you will be able to buy them for... no, no, no, they will be yours, free! Allow 8-12 weeks... no, no, no, they are digital, so we’ll get them to ya promptly! Seriously! Be sure we have your neatly printed email address (no one else will receive your personal info, and we won’t send any emails except for this race).

If there’s enough interest, we hope to make this an annual event, or perhaps every spring and fall. This is a 'run at your own risk' event and you must sign the waiver to participate. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign the wavier. You must be 12 or older to race. Race may be limited to 100 runners.


When: Sunday, April 6, 9:00 am sharp (arrive 7:30-8:30 to register)
NOTE: extreme weather postpones the race to Sunday April 13, 9:00 am. If so, those on the list will be notified via email, and the website will announce it. (Race is ON for April 6!)
Where: Schuylkill River Park Trail / Schuylkill Banks (start: West River / King Dr “donut” + end: Locust St “donut”)
Bring: $5 cash + your race watch (+ your parent if you’re under 18)
More info: smtt@live.com
www.tcnj.edu/~gruenfel/smtt.html
Not racing? Volunteers needed!

 

 

NEW TO RACING TIPS

  

RACE WAIVER (all racers must sign)

  
 

1.   Make sure you are healthy and medically cleared to race. If there is any doubt, see your doctor before the race!
2.   The race bib gets safety-pinned to the FRONT of your shirt. The exact spot isn't vital, as long as it is comfortable and clearly visible.
3.   Double-knot your shoe laces. Trust us.
4.   When in doubt, wear less clothes than you think are needed. Your body warms up during the race. You may leave extra clothing at the finish (preferably) or at the start (bring your own plastic bag if possible).
5.   Do some stretching and warm-up before you race.
6.   The instructions from the starter for this race is not On Your Mark, Get Set, Go. It will be Runner 22 (or whatever your bib number) Ready, and then Go. Be prepared, but don't worry, we will not start you if you are not ready. You will know in advance when to line up.
7.   Bring your digital watch with a stopwatch on it. If you start your stopwatch the second you begin the race, you can check your pace every 1/4 mile .
8.   Most people new to racing (and even experienced ones) often start out too fast. Because the first 1/4 mile of this race is downhill, that will be expected here, but save some for the remaining 3/4! Resist the urge to catch the runner in front of you early in the race.
9.   Once you finish, clear out of the finish area.
10.   Do some streching and cool-down after the race, then make sure to cheer for the other competitors.
11.   If you have any questions, ask!
12.   Have fun!

 

I hereby fully and forever release and waive from all liability for any and all losses, damages, and any and all claims or demands therefore, on account of injury to me, my property or resultant death in connection with my participation in the race, whether caused by the active or passive negligence of anyone involved with the Schuylkill Mile Time Trial and their organizations, including but not limited to the Schuylkill Mile Time Trial planning committee, Fairmount Park Commission, Schuylkill River Development Corporation, and Lower Schuylkill River Users Association (Schuylkill River Park Alliance), their management, their officers, board members, employees, members, sponsors, volunteers, organizers, or their successors, and all cooperating organizations and personnel (collectively "Releasees"). I hereby assume liability for any and all medical expenses incurred as a result of the race. I am not owed any duty or obligation by the Releasees. I assume all risks associated with running, including but not limited to falls, contact with other runners, the effects of the weather, and the conditions of the running course, which is held on a public thoroughfare, the condition of which the Releasees do not control. I know that running is a physically demanding and potentially hazardous activity, and I attest that I am medically able and properly trained for this race. I understand that the Releasees can in no way be held accountable if my effort surpasses my level of fitness and conditioning. I agree that this waiver shall be binding upon myself, my heirs, assigns, and anyone entitled to act on my behalf.

I acknowledge that the entry fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. I grant permission for the use of my name, photographs, and video in broadcasts, newspapers, and other media without compensation. If I am under age 18 my parent or guardian must sign this release and waiver agreement. My parent or guardian's signature certifies that I have my parent or guardian's permission to participate and that he or she intentionally and voluntarily agrees to its terms and conditions. No one under the age of 12 may race this event. Strollers, pets, and headphones are prohibited. I warrant that all statements made herein are true and correct. I have read the foregoing and intentionally and voluntarily sign this release and waiver of liability agreement. All information provided on this form will be kept confidential; email addresses will be used only for race-related emails.

  

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RACE

1. (Feb 14) I was wondering if you have a plan on determining the order of who starts when in the 1 mile race.
The order of the start is fastest to slowest. This will make it slightly easier for the finish timers in that while the start has a new person every 10 seconds, the finish will be "fanned out" a bit, and thus will have a few extra seconds between logging the finish times for each racer. It might also help inspire the person to catch the person in front!

2. (Feb 15) What if the runner has no idea how fast they can run a mile?
No problem. We will have people on hand to help figure out a realistic goal, and we will also have race prediction charts & tables.
In addition, a couple of years ago, Kevin devised a race predictor model that may be superior to the existing ones, and is currently collecting data to validate it.  He's working with a professor of Physical Therapy at Drexel University (and his graduate student).  If you'd like him to give you a prediction for your race, email him (see the bottom of the page) several race times and distances.  Include races where you put forth your best effort and were not hampered by bad race conditions or tough courses.  Don't include races that had a lot of wind, extreme cold or heat, very hilly courses, or where you were ill.  Make sure you give the finish time (specify if it was chip time, your watch time, or gun time), the race name & date & location, distance, and info about the course/conditions (flat, slight downhill, raining, etc.).

3. (March 14) Is the trail going to be free of dog walkers,people pushing baby strollers & people on bikes? Will it be open for just the runners?
While we have a permit, the path will not be closed to non-racers. However, we will position marshals in key points on the course for safety. Further, the nature of our time trial means that, on average, there will be only one racer per 10 seconds, thus racers will be single file, taking up the far right portion of the path, with wide gaps between them. We don't expect non-racers to interfere with the safety or execution of the race (though it will be crowded at the start area) based on (1) Sundays being the less-trafficked weekend day, (2) 9:00am in early April not being a peak usage time, and (3) 2006-2007 data from a Trail Usage report.

4. (March 21) Who is the double Olympic bronze medalist?
Edwin Roberts.  He won bronze in the 1964 Olympics, held in Tokyo, in the 200 meters and 4x400 meter relay.  He also competed in the 1968 (Mexico City) and 1972 (Munich) Olympics.

 
 

HISTORY

  

THANK YOU LIST

  
 

The Schuylkill River Park Trail "extension" (Schuylkill Banks) has existed for many years, but began the path to its present state when construction commenced in mid-2003, culminating in May 2005 when then-Mayor John Street had an official lighting ceremony to commemorate the newly installed lights and macadam surface. During most of the year, with mild weather, several thousand people use the trail every week. The first races were held on Sunday, October 1, 2006 by Free Schuylkill River Park (later becoming Schuylkill River Park Alliance) with Runnin' On The River, comprising both a 5K and 1 Mile. The following year, the 1 Mile was dropped due to the complexities of holding two races, but the 5K continues. Three weeks prior to that race, the inaugural Bike Philly finished on the trail, near the start of the Schuylkill Mile Time Trial, which was conceived in 2007.

Aside from being the founder & race director for the Schuylkill Mile Time Trial, Kevin Gruenfeld is the co-founder in 2002 (and its first president 2002-2006) of Philly Runners running club and co-founder of Runnin' On The River in 2006. He served on and helped coordinate Mayor Michael Nutter's Fairmount Park Safety meetings from its inception in 2003 to 2006 when the report was issued, and was the runners' representative for Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation's "Think Outdoors" campaign (which became "Boundless Philadelphia") for the five Pennsylvania counties in the greater Philadelphia region. He is also on the board of the Schuylkill River Park Alliance and helps coordinate Logan Square Town Watch.

  

The Schuylkill Mile Time Trial would not have been possible without the contributions of the individuals named below. We are fortunate to have had the enthusiasm and support of so many.

*   Seth Weiss, Meg Waldron, Steve Hamilton & Naomi, Elizabeth Stamm, Ben Mayer, Laura Rugarber, Gary Shute, and Wendy Levesque for help with October's test run.
*   Erin Bolz at Schuylkill River Development Corporation, Sarah Clark Stuart at Schuylkill River Park Alliance, Gary Shute, Elizabeth Stamm and Monika Serrano at irunphilly, Alex Doty at Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Wylie Belasik at Philadelphia Runner, Karen McGovern at Rittenhouse Sports Specialties, Veronique Cote at Yo! Darkroom, Annmarie Fay at Fleet Feet Sports - Media, and Harry Arnold at Darling's Cafe & Famous Cheececake for in-kind donations.
*   Joe Syrnick at Schuylkill River Development Corporation for the permit, insurance, and validating the altitude measures.
*   Erin Bolz at Schuylkill River Development Corporation for the table & chairs and traffic cones.
*   Sarah Clark Stuart at Schuylkill River Park Alliance for supplies.
*   Mike Clavelli at Runners' Advocate for use of the race timing machine, traffic cones, and supplies.
*   Geoff Aguirre for lending a GPS unit to measure altitude.
*   Seth Weiss for lending a laptop computer, videocamera, long outdoor electrical extension cord, and for much preparation help.
*   Meg Waldron and Bennett Brookstein for each lending a 5-gallon water jug.
*   Steve Hamilton, Bennett Brookstein, and Seth Weiss for safety pins.
*   Dan Gordon for additional general help.
*   Lola Turchetti, Sarah Clark Stuart, Jill Soubel, Meg Waldron, Seth Weiss, Mike Clavelli, Steve Hamilton, Bob Linster, Erin Bolz, Josh Nims, Joe Syrnick, Elizabeth Stamm, Reese Heitner, Michelle Morris, and Gary Shute for volunteering at the race.
*   Stephanie Zukerman for helping procure our special guest, Olympic double bronze medalist Edwin Roberts (and Edwin for his guest appearance).

 


This website was created 22.OCT.2007 and last updated 13.APR.2008.
 Send comments & questions to Kevin.