Triathlon dispute nears finish line

The Baltimore Sun

The controversy over Annapolis's first triathlon is expected to come to a halt tomorrow, with the likely approval of a new lease that shifts parking and the finish line away from prime downtown locations.

The compromise, brokered between Alderman Richard E. Israel, who represents downtown, and Tom Smith of the Annapolis Triathlon Club, also calls for keeping Main Street open the morning of Sept. 9 in an effort to appease businesses and churches.

"We're trying to prevent 1,500 cars from driving down to the City Dock on a Sunday morning," Israel said at Friday's meeting of the city council's Economic Matters Committee. The panel of three aldermen approved the City Dock lease unanimously. The full council will vote at its meeting tomorrow.

Triathlon organizers originally expected the event to draw 1,500 competitors from 23 states and Canada, but now anticipate 100 more athletes will compete for a first-place prize of $4,999. Most are driving from within 90 miles of the city.

In the Annapolis Triathlon, which will go on rain or shine, athletes will begin with a 1.5-kilometer swim starting at City Dock at 6:45 a.m., followed by a 40-kilometer bike ride on a circular route through the Historic District up through Crownsville and back to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. From there, they will run 10 kilometers from the stadium to the Pendennis Mount community and double back to the finish line. It should be over by noon.

While the first version of the club's lease required it to pay the city $1, the amended one calls for a $5,000 rental fee, but that can be lowered if costs exceed revenues.

Since facing an outcry from merchants a month ago, organizers have met with church groups and local civic associations.

Among the concessions: Randall Street will be closed between Market Space and the traffic circle at the bottom of Main Street from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. From the lower half of Main Street to Francis Street, cones will be used to create a lane for bikers. Parking lanes on Francis Street, State Circle, Church Circle and College Avenue will be used for bikers, leaving one lane for cars. Any parking changes in the Historic District will last until about 9 a.m., according to the amended lease agreement.

Only residents will be permitted to park on Prince George and Randall streets, and triathlon officials will post signs to that effect, Smith said.

Any triathlete who drives to the dock will be disqualified. Spectators and athletes are banned from parking at the dock or on neighboring streets. They are encouraged to park at the stadium and take a shuttle.

Triathlon organizers also said they worked to accommodate concerns from the maritime industry. Some boaters were worried about having to share the Severn River with swimmers in the race. Consequently, organizers will reroute triathletes so that they are not in the main channel, Smith said.

To make the event mutually beneficial, Smith said, he and other staff have been working with various restaurants to set up pasta dinners for the athletes. He is also trying to negotiate with other places, such as Phillips restaurant, City Dock Cafe and Hard Bean Coffee and Booksellers, to host events related to the race. Buddy's Crabs and Ribs on Main Street will open early Sunday to accommodate the crowd.

"It's really a growing thing," said Smith, a co-founder of the Annapolis Triathlon Club and a city employee. "It's a win-win now that we have gotten past the controversy."

The event will not only help businesses, Smith said. All of the proceeds from the race will go to Annapolis-based charities that help at-risk-youth.

Still, some business owners voiced concerns that the flock of spectators and athletes will drive customers away.

"I appreciate that they have made efforts to reduce the impact," said Debbie Gosselin, president of Watermark Cruises. "Generally speaking, when downtown parking is taken up by events, it does impact the businesses downtown."

Because of the city's historical and maritime character, Mayor Ellen O. Moyer said residents and businesses have to do their best to accommodate tourists.

"There are some people that would like to have no visitors to the capital city," said Moyer, a proponent of the race. "We are a historic city. That's not going to happen. The city is an event city and it is equipped to handle events. Do we have to be professional in handling events? Of course we do, but this should be a fun time."

sharahn.boykin@baltsun.com

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