Hi Everyone!

We hope you are enjoying the longer daylight hours as we head into March. Even if those spring temperatures haven’t quite hit us yet, they are just around the corner – as is the 2009 triathlon, duathlon, and road race season. At Somersault we are gearing up for another fun spring, summer, and fall event season. Here is a short re-cap of what’s been happening, and what is about to happen on the Somersault event scene.

Last Entry Fee Discount & Free Transfer Deadline – March 15 Midnight – Sign Up Now and Save

That’s right, if you haven’t entered yet, you have until March 15th to save on your 2009 entry fees. Entries received by midnight March 15 are eligible for this 10% entry fee reduction PLUS an extended Free Entry Transfer offer.

You are now able to transfer from one event to another during the year for free, if you enter by March 15. If your plans change after you enter early, all you have to do is notify terry@somersault.ca by one week before the event, to arrange this free transfer.

You can enter any event right now at http://www.somersault.ca/enter.htm

A Successful Winterman Marathon, Marathon Relays, Half Marathon, 10Km, and 5Km Run

With our event partners, SAR Global 1, we were overwhelmed by the participant response to the first annual Winterman, an official Winterlude Collaborator event. A total of 867 participants and 125 volunteers participated on a real winter day at the Canadian War Museum on February 22.

Congratulations to our marathon winners and current winter marathon record holders, Rejean Bourgouin, and Sylvie Phillips!

Look for news soon, on the 2010 Winterman in late February next year.

2009 Race Directors

We are pleased to announce many of our 2009 Race Directors. This very competent line up includes the following:
Eric Collard - Early Bird Triathlon, Duathlon & Colonel By Classic Run
Fred Hasle - Ottawa Riverkeeper Triathlon, Duathlon & Britannia Beach Run
Ken Parker - Emilie’s Run
Corey Turnbull - Smiths Falls Triathlon, Duathlon & Figure Eight Run
Richard Cadman - Greater Kingston SYDENHAM Triathlon, Duathlon, & Sydenham Lakeside Run
Kat Calder-Becker & Kevin Becker - National Capital Triathlon, Duathlon & Run
Terry & Christine McKinty - Canadian Triathlon, Duathlon, & Run
Peggie Slavin & Judy Andrew Piel - Last Chance Triathlon, Duathlon, & Nepean Trail Run
Jay Yakabowich - Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon, Marathon Relays, Half marathon, 10Km, & 5Km Run

Fall Colours Marathon Relays

Due to the success of our Winterman Marathon Relays in February, we have been encouraged to introduce relays into the Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon in 2009. This year, you and your friends can form teams of 2, 4, or 8 to complete an official marathon on October 11th at Fall Colours. Check it out on the event website at http://www.somersault.ca/eventwinterman.htm. The relay entry form will be alive and kicking on March 10th!

Introducing Open Water Swim Races

We think open water swimming events can be added to our event program without negatively affecting other races, so we are doing that on an experimental basis in 2009. We are introducing 1500M, 2000M, and a 4000M open water swims at those events which have triathlon swim distances of that length. The swim races will be added to the existing triathlon entry forms before March 15. The events which will have swims are:

• Ottawa Riverkeeper - 1500M
  
• Greater Kingston SYDENHAM - 1500M
  
• Graham Beasley - 2000M
  
• National Capital - 1500M
  
• Thousand islands - 1500M
  
• Canadian - 2000M-4000M

Souvenir Apparel

Check out the new look designs on our souvenir event apparel coming soon. Look for an exciting design for each Somersault event, as well as signature Somersault apparel and accessories that will be for sale at all events.

New Finish Medal Designs

We are moving to individual event medal shapes and looks in 2009. The variety of shapes and looks will better differentiate events from each other.

Upgraded Event Site, Race Kit Pick Up, and Awards Procedures

A focus of our 2009 improvement will be Somersault event sites. We have streamlined the Race Kit Pick Up procedures to be more user friendly. If our performance at the recent Winterman is any indication, we think you will appreciate these changes. Race Kit Pick Up and late Entry will be much smoother and quicker than in the past, as will awards presentations.

Greening our Events

We have always had an eye on recycling and environmental initiatives, and in 2009 we will continue to ratchet up our focus on eco-friendly events and event sites. To that end, we are considering several initiatives such as:

• Reducing the size of our Calendar Cards and using eco-friendly inks
• Using biodegradable or reusable participant kits
• Eliminating bottled water at events (except for cycle water bottle exchanges)
• Positioning recycling containers on event sites.
• Offering safety pin drop off boxes
• Encouraging participant car pooling to events

2009 Race Director Openings

We are currently accepting applications and interviewing candidates for the following events. If you are interested, please contact terry@somersault.ca

• Orleans Race Weekend
• May 31st Triathlon, Duathlon, & Run - TBA
• Graham Beasley Triathlon, Duathlon & Heritage Run
• Thousand Islands Triathlon, Duathlon, & Downtown Run
• August 22/23 Triathlon, Duathlon & Run - TBA

2009 Race Crew Openings

We are very fortunate to have contracted and developed an excellent race crew over the years, and each year we have to hope they can return. In 2009, we are expanding our Race Crew, to better serve the participants. Applicants need not have any triathlon or running experience, but must be available to work at the majority of our spring, summer, and fall events. We are accepting applications for these paid positions as listed below. If you are interested in joining our Race Crew, or know someone who would be, please contact terry@somersault.ca

• Bilingual Race Announcer
• Registration & Site Crew (4)
• Race Courses & Logistics Crew (4)

Would Your Event or Event Idea Like to Join The Somersault Program?

We are actively looking for events that would like to become part of the Somersault event program. We welcome discussion with organizers of existing events, or with individuals/groups/charities/businesses that would like to become involved in such events in Ottawa, Ontario, or Western Quebec.

Such events would become Somersault events, with the participating group becoming a “beneficiary” partner in them (if they wish). Please contact Terry McKinty at terry@somersault.ca, if you think your event or idea could benefit from being a Somersault program event. We are particularly interested in

• Running events, especially in March, April, and November.
• Existing triathlon type events that fit the Somersault calendar
• Unique start and finish line events/ideas, that are open to all ages and stages
• Other unique health and fitness oriented events

Cheers!
Terry