5th ECOthon less than a week away!

The 5^th Annual Barrier Island ECOthon proudly presented by Half-moon Outfitters is finally less than a week away.

Half-Moon Outfitters has been providing the Southeast with quality goods and services for adventure and travel since 1993.

Hope you're excited and prepared for the ECOthon experience! Here's some NEW IMPORTANT info on the composition of the field, the revised schedule, prizes, gear/equipment, including more safety info. Lastly, USA Triathlon sanctioning requirements and attached USAT waiver.

There are about 90 registered participants with over (65) going solo, (3) 2-person DUAL teams, (1) 3-person TRI team, and (6) RELAY teams!

This year's ECOthon fundraising efforts will exceed $5,000 in charitable donations to the Charelston Tibetan Society and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, so I sincerely thank all the gracious sponsors and you, by participating in the ECOthon experience, for your support! You've each helped me achieve my dreams by improving the lives of Tibetans around the world, both young and old as well as inspiring people affected by cancer to LIVE STRONG. Just over $2,600 provides all the expenses to cover shelter, adequately feed and most importantly educate 20 young Tibetans orphans in Delhi for an entire month! Amazing how effective use of financial resources can improve the lives of many, and not only just today, but in the future by providing an education & opening up the limitless possibilities of a child's imagination!

SCHEDULE:

Saturday, Oct 24 from 5 to 8 pm ~ Packet pickup at Try Sports (Ste 102, 1903 U.S. 17, Mount Pleasant, SC‎, - (843) 849-9292‎) in Mt Pleasant's Town Centre INSTEAD of the previously listed Pre-Race meeting at the Isle of Palms Marina. As a requirement for packet pickup, you'll need to show your photo ID, including each relay member. If you can't make it to packet pickup at Try Sports, I ask you to be at the IOP Marina as early as you can on Sunday morning, and no later than 6:30, to pickup your packet. Don't forget your photo ID!

TrySports is offering their famous "Pace your Race" competition sponsored by Saucony. You just estimate your overall ECOthon time and bike time to see how close you actually get on race day to your planned times.

SUNDAY, OCT 25 at 6 am ~ Packet pickup & Set up your bike at transition area at Morgan Creek Grill lawn, and then stage kayak near boat ramp. At 7 am, there will be a PRErace meeting to review safety & course one more time as well as to answer any remaining questions. Immediately after, there will be a kayak orientation meeting for those renting from Coastal Expeditions which includes a pedal fitting. If you have your own kayak or paddle board, we'll begin to launch them from the ramp adjacent to Morgan Creek Grill transition area after the PRErace meeting. The ECOthon will START as soon as all paddlers are on the Intracoastal Waterway which could take a little time, and hopefully not long after sunrise at 7:30am. I estimate the majority of the leaders should finish within 3.5 hours, so planning on having the awards ceremony around 12 on the Morgan Creek Grill lawn to distribute over $2,000 in sponsor donated prizes including an amazing prize for a special person. There will also be fresh fruit provided by Bi-Lo for energy as well.

Limited Special Offer: If you have family or friends that would like a scenic ferry ride to the south end of Capers Island to cheer you on, there are a limited number of spaces on the ferry boat. Email me if you're interested in this possibility.

PARKING: Please use Mogan Creek Grill's gravel overflow lot, NOT ON PAVEMENT. This is to prevent Morgan Creek Grill's guests from an inconvenience and to be more gracious to our sponsor.

EQUIPMENT/GEAR/SAFETY: If you are planning on renting a kayak from Coastal Expeditions & you haven't contacted them yet, please call them ASAP at 843-884-7684. They'll have it ready for you at the start and will pick it up after, so no hassle, in addition to providing PFD and whistle. If bringing you own, I sincerely hope you've tried it out paddling into currents with some smaller waves. HINT: Flatbottom or Whitewater kayaks don't go that fast into tidal currents. Everyone needs to have some unique/special method to identify your kayak to make it easier to distinguish from the many that will be lined up on the south end of Dewees Island.

A Coast Guard Type III personal floatation device (PFD) and a whistle are required to be worn both during the paddle and swim sections. However, I will probably waive the PFD requirement for the swims depending on conditions, but the whistle will be a necessity and verified before entering the water so make sure you've got one! Coastal Expeditions PFD's have one attached that can be removed and replaced. The Isle of Palms Fire Department and supporting ECOthon volunteers will be in motorized boats during the paddle and swim sections so if you need assistance, just whistle!!

Also, the swimming sections are separated by running sections, so amphibious type shoes are recommended and fins are allowed for the swim but must be carried to & during the Dewees beach run so the choice is yours. Some have asked about 'amphibious shoes'...I recommend COMFORTABLE, mesh covered, moisture wicking and drainable such as Salomon's Tech Amphibian available at Halfmoon Outfitters OR Zoot's available at Try Sports OR whatever else you feel most comfortable in that you've tested yourself. Otherwise, past ECOthoners have fashioned some type of dry bag system for their running shoes carried behind them with line for the swim.

Bike helmets must be worn properly before leaving the transition area and on the entire bike course until crossing finish line. While biking you are required to follow ALL traffic laws and will be immediately DQ'd if found in violation. There are several stop signs and a traffic light and may have someone in the bushes watching, so don't chance it; follow the law or face the consequences.

I strongly recommend you prepare for both wet & sunny weather since we could have both, so definitely some sun screen as well as method to keep your gear dry at the bike transition. Also, one can never have enough water, so suggest bringing your own container you can leave in the kayak for your return trip as well as having enough for your final biking section. I'll provide HYDRATION stations on the north end of Dewees Island as well as a couple on Capers Island.

This year the ECOthon is sanctioned by the USA Triathlon and requires an annual membership of $39 or one day license for $10 in addition to your signature on a legal waiver which I've attached for you to review. You can bring a signed copy with you when you pickup your race packet OR one will be provided in your race packet. I realize I didn't have this membership requirement posted anywhere and will greatly appreciate your understanding for this oversight, but if the extra cash for a one day license is too much please contact me. I'm planning on having more ECOthon events next year & hopefully a series. We'll see what manifests. This might encourage you to get an annual member and to do more USAT sanctioned races next year!