For the past several days we have been monitoring forecast models for a major cold front that will be pushing across Florida this weekend. This powerful front will bring temperatures down to the mid 30’s in Central Florida on Sunday morning, a very unusual occurrence for this late into winter. While long range forecast maps change every time you look at them, now that we are only a couple of days away, they are becoming more into alignment. It appears this will be a major wind event on Saturday, with the potential for light rain and perhaps even an isolated thunderstorm. Right now, the forecast show the winds increasing most at noon on Saturday.
Based on the most current forecast models, the weather outlook is not so severe that it would require an event cancellation. The day will start with winds 12-14mph and slowly increase until midafternoon. There is always the chance that gusts will be higher. The winds are forecast to peak after 12:00 noon.
Keeping our athletes, volunteers, and staff safe is always our highest priority. At the same time we want to make sure everyone racing has a fun and safe race experience. After careful review and consultation with our support agencies, we have decided to host Saturday’s races with some minor modification to the distances and start times. This should allow us to get all cyclists off the bike course before peak winds and potential heavy storms arrive, and at least two hours earlier than planned.
The following course changes have been made for Saturday's AdventHealth Great Clermont & Florida Challenge Triathlons:
Florida Challenge Intimidator -
Start times have been adjusted -
1st Wave still starts at 7:30am, waves 2-3 are bumped up
Swim has been shortened from 1.2 miles to 1K (.62 miles)
Bike course has been shortened from 59 miles to 39 miles
Run remains 13.1 miles
Great Clermont Olympic Distance -
Start times have been adjusted -
1st Wave will now begin at 7:45am
Swim has been shortened from 1.5K to 1K (.62 miles)
Duathlon run #1 has been shortened from 5K to 2 miles
Final run remains at 10K
Great Clermont Sprint Triathlon -
Start times have been adjusted-
!st Wave will now begin at 8:15am
No course distance changes
Open Water Swim -
Start times have been adjusted
Swim will now be 2K instead of 1.2 miles (2 laps)
All Events -
Race day packet pickup will close at 7:30am
Transition area will close at 7:45am
We realize you have been training hard for the specific distance you registered for, and we are saddened to have to adjust the courses. As was mentioned earlier, safety always comes first and the course modifications posted above, based on all the forecast data we have right now, are the best options to conduct the safest race possible under not so ideal weather conditions.
Please note that weather is unpredictable. Conditions could always change and require additional modifications or even event cancellation, although we do not anticipate that to happen.
Please visit our downloads page for the most current and updated maps and information - https://sommersportsevents.com/Resources/Maps-Downloads
Travel safe to Clermont and have a great race!
