Relay Race Organizers Told To Go Back To The Drawing Board
By Terry Smhida
Despite making changes aimed at placating Monroe County lawmakers, organizers of an annual relay race through the Florida Keys has been told to try to find a date for a scaled-down event during the slower months of the year – or spike the race entirely.
The Ragnar Relay CEO Chris Infurchia appeared Tuesday before the Monroe County Commission to make his case for a permit for the scheduled February event.
However safety concerns about runners on county highways during the busiest traffic time of the year led commissioners to uphold the turning down Infurchia’s application. The county already denied the permit last month, but due to timing issues, agreed to discuss the matter at this month’s meeting, in order to allow public comment, as well as input from Infurchia’s side.
Public sentiment ran about half-and-half at the meeting, with some Keys residents worried about safety issues, and others encouraging the spirit of athleticism the race engenders, and reminding commissioners about the money the event raises for worthy charities such as the Special Olympics.
Representatives of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office noted that during last year’s race weekend, the number of accidents on U.S. 1 increased to 27, from just 16 the weekend before, and 19 on the following weekend.
For his part, Infurchia was “incredibly disappointed” with the decision, but didn’t rule out making further concessions and modifications to the race, in order to meet commissioners’ criteria for an approval.
Changes to the race had already been adopted, including increasing the amount of time between departing relay teams, and the elimination of some checkpoints along the route.
“We are open to changing our event,” Infurchia told the commissioners.
Some $750,000 in application fees had already been collected for the race, he added.
The commission didn’t send the race organizer away without any hope, however. Newly appointed Mayor Heather Carruthers openly supported the race, comparing it favorably with the “drink and puke” events throughout the Keys, that her friends lament.
Specifically, Carruthers suggested that the commission might be more amenable to a rescheduled relay in April, May, September or October.
“Come back to us with a new plan and new date,” she said.
Ragnar’s website claims that the organization strives to “make life more awesome” through “better health, lasting relationships, and “an enormous amount of fun.”
The site further claims that most Americans spend seven hours daily on “screen time,” and just four minutes outdoor during the same period.
“We exist to break that cycle and rebuild individuals’ connections with their mind and body, with nature and with other like-minded people,” the site says.
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All that energy wasted running and sweating like little kids. Put them to work with brooms, paint brushes and let them clean these filthy Keys instead. Enough of the BS!