2010 IMWI Spectator Guide
I've created a sort of spectator guide for this years IMWI. I would like to share it with ya'll but don't have a great way to post it somewhere online for download. So, I figure I'll ask for email addresses and email it to those who are interested. A couple points...
I created this from Hayes' guide from last year as well as another I found online. So, they get most of the credit.
It is meant to be personalized for each athlete. For example, I have an intro letter page in which I thank folks for coming and I also have some expected durations for the run, etc. A couple yellow highlights indicate areas that should be personalized.
It is only a draft format right now. I would love, love, love feedback. Once I receive feedback, I can make some edits, get it out to those interested and then let you personalize it. On the 3.0 forums I asked for ideas for it and have incorporated mostall the suggestions.
It is a big Word file... big 'cause its got lots of pictures and maps and all that. It's a spectator guide and I built it to help the sherpas. Mainly, I want to make it easier for my family to see me on race day. I was there last year and had little clue about the course... I just followed Bill McKinney around.
It does not include detailed pacing info like the Patton guides (which I just bought). I think the two docs would be great together.
So, either reply with your email address or PM me at david.williams.75@gmail.com and I will shoot it to you sometime when I am supposed to be working. 
Comments
P
Please send, and THANK YOU!!!
Gina Hamel
souzchef@comcast.net
Me too, please.
matt_sullivan@sbcglobal.net
Thanks!
Yes, I would love one! kathy@ak5j.com. Thanks David!!
rickhochstetler@gmail.com
Thanks!
kboonvisudhi@hotmail.com
trevor.garson@gmail.com
tolivasmd@gmail.com
sent to everyone so far, let me know if you did not get it.
Also, please use this forum for feedback or questions on the doc.
Me, too! beth.schwindt@gmail.com
jitsurnr@aol.com
jefflinkus@gmail.com
David, did not get the guide yet. kathy@ak5j.com. thanks
michele.cellai@gmail.com
Thank you ! Thank you! Thank you!
k8trigirl@hotmail.com
thanks
Another thing I would add, for anyone interested, is that there's another great spot for spectators on the run, where athletes can be seen 6 times. At the north end of Walnut St, where it intersects with the bike trail, the course forms a triangle. Bottom of triangle is the portion of the bike path where athletes turn off Walnut to head east (toward the State Street turn-around). Then on the way back, athletes run along the top/right section of the triangle along the bike path, before they head to the far west bike path turn-around. Then <2 miles later, the athletes run along the left section of the triangle right before they get back onto walnut. It's not really represented well on the official course map, but if spectators hang out in that triangle area, it's a great place to watch. Plenty of shade, an aid station, and it's nice for athletes to see a familiar face in a section of the course that's not jammed with other spectators. And that out/back on the bike path can be pretty dismal and lonely. <img src='http://members.endurancenation.us/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif' align="absmiddle" border="0" />
To get there, you can take Campus Drive, then north at the Highland Ave exit (by the UW and VA hospitals), then right on Marsh Lane. There's a huge parking lot (UW Lot 60) on the left, which overlooks the run course along the out/back section of the bike path. That actually worked really well when my mom brought my grandfather (who's in a wheelchair) to spectate, because they could actually see me from the parking lot. The triangle that I decribed above is just to the east of the parking lot.
The only drawback is that there's no convenient places to get food/drinks nearby.
One additional comment about spectating from Gray's in Verona...I would take the 2nd Verona exit from Hwy 18/151, and turn right on old Hwy PB at the stoplight at the bottom of the exit. The bike course comes across PB just up the road, so spectators can park on the side of PB and walk to Gray's. We've talked about reserving the Gray's balcony on race day for EN spectators, depending on how many people want to hang out there. And the Team dinner on Thurs night will be at Gray's this year. Not sure exactly what time yet.
Again, nice work on this document! Great details, and super helpful for spectators!
The super-secret best parking is at the MG&E parking lot, on Railroad Street. Take John Nolen Dr (Hwy 151) north/east, turn left on Blair to stay on Hwy 151 (major intersection just past Monona Terrace, at Machinery Row bicycle shop), then take the first RIGHT turn onto Railroad St. There is metered parking on the right (but meters are Mon - Sat only, so free), and a parking lot on the left. Super easy to get in/out on race day.
Tom
OK, I've sent it to everyone who has asked for it. Please let me know if you have not received it.
Hi Dave, I would love a copy, thanks for the work.
ryacon@comcast.net
I just sat and read through the entire guide. All I can say is that it is exceptional. Definitely get a copy.
Again, thank you Dave.
You put a LOT of effort into this. Thank you for such a nice job and offering it to us al!!
David
I'll take a copy. Thanks!
Triathlontmw@hotmail.com
jnbob2006@yahoo.com
David - please forward a spectator guide to me at msb756@aol.com - thanks a ton!
Mike
Thanks
-hb
If you didn't figure it out already, the yellow highlighted sections ext are for you to personalize. I put in references to my wife who may be happy to coordinate for my spectators... and probably not happy to coordinate for yours.
So, you should remove her name.
The "My Athlete" section should be totally customized for you!
I think Patrick is happy with the About EN section since he reviewed the doc. I pulled most of the info from the EN Facebook page.
We'll have to pull a list of athletes to populate the table in the EN section... do we have a list already?
Does anyone have recommendations on what spectators can do throughout the weekend? I put a link to some farmers markets... but what else? Beth - you know a lot about the area! Any ideas?
I have duplicate maps for the swim and run - one in the Ironman format and one from Google Maps. Do you think I need both? If Ironman produces a guide I think I'll pull the Ironman ones from this guide. Thoughts?
Thanks for the feedback above, I'll incorporate it once I get a bit more input.
I forced myself to stop adding to the list. So much to do... Feel free to PM me if you want any additional info.