Press-Republican

Local News

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
June 6, 2009

Ironman event sold, not leaving Lake Placid

No indication event leaving Lake Placid

By KIM SMITH DEDAM

LAKE PLACID — Ironman Lake Placid has been sold to franchise owner World Triathlon Corp., along with six other races throughout the continental United States.

"In terms of race structure, not a lot has changed," said Helen Manning, an Ironman spokeswoman based in Ontario.

"Race directors have remained the same, and most of the race operations staff have stayed with the event."

The deal made earlier this year with Ironman promoter Graham Fraser was private, and Manning would not comment on the sale price.

LOYAL TO PLACID
World Triathlon has given no indication that it will move the race out of Lake Placid, she said.

"Lake Placid was the first in the states, so it has that moniker which makes it very special."

Now in its 11th year, the Ironman event draws 2,200 athletes for slots that sell out within two hours the day after the race ends.

COSTLY FOR POLICE
But the 18-hour race has hit a snag in police cost overruns.

New York State Police last year paid $52,658 in overtime costs for Ironman weekend, according to Troop B Commander Maj. Richard Smith Jr.

They have no agreement in place to be reimbursed.

"We have never received one dime in 10 years," Smith said. "Ironman is the single biggest overtime-producing event in the troop."

Some 90 State Police officers are required at the "bare minimum," he said, to monitor two-way run/bike and vehicle traffic along the race circuit, which travels from Lake Placid through the towns of North Elba, Keene, Jay and Wilmington.

PAYMENT REQUESTED
Using last year's overtime as a benchmark, Smith asked event organizers to pay 50 percent of that cost this year, or about $26,500, increasing the payment to 75 percent in 2010 and to 100 percent in 2011.

"This in not an event run in a New York state park, and it is for profit," Smith said.

Cost overruns are challenging in the current economy.

"It became a budgetary issue, in terms of New York state fiscal situation," said Jeff Edwards, Lake Placid Ironman race director, who acknowledged the key role State Police have in coordinating course safety.

"Race agreements can vary considerably, but they do typically include some services, the theory being that communities are willing to extend some form of services in an effort to attract large events."

TOURISM BOOST
The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau estimates Ironman nets $375,000 in sales-tax revenue for Essex County alone.

"It is not a one-day activity," said spokesman Jon Lundin. "We're looking at direct spending of about $10 million, including lodging, meals, shopping and recreational activities."

Other Lake Placid events held by the Olympic Regional Development Authority don't pay for police coverage.

"We don't (pay police), and for one reason — we have an annual meeting with State Police and local police where we walk through the schedule we have going out 10 months, and let them know the level of the event and the number of spectators we're expecting."

ORDA events don't disrupt highway and traffic patterns.

"We increase the traffic flow," Goff said.

And ORDA provides staff, posting guards at road crossings and other pedestrian traffic areas.

OTHERS PAY
Ironman-licensed events around the United States do pay for police, according to race directors contacted by the Press-Republican.

"Normally, in our case, we use sheriff reserves at a cost between $20 and $40 per hour. But I'm a half and not a full marathon," said Mike Greer, race director in Lubbock, Texas.

Greer staged an Iron Girl race in Dallas for three years but closed it this year due to police costs.

"One reason we did not renew our Iron Girl contract was because of Dallas police costs of about $13,000. And it was a sprint, the race lasted about two and a half hours. When you got right down to it, (police cost) was a deal breaker."

In Columbia, Maryland, the Ironman-licensed Eagle Man half-triathlon pays police, said Race Director Robert Vigorito.

"If you put a race anywhere it the country, by and large, because it's outside the normal scope of duty, the police are going to charge," he said.

"What we're trying to do is find an equitable solution for everyone involved," Lundin said.

"Moving forward, Ironman has a strong future here."

E-mail Kim Smith Dedam at: kdedam@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
New Today
  • City fire call

    Smoke in the basement at 11 Lorraine St. in Plattsburgh likely a dryer fire.

    Updated: 1 hour
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix