2008 Oswego Big Mouth Adventure Race
On April 12th volunteers from the FRRL, Kane County ARES, DuPage County ARES, and Kendall County ARES provided communications support to the Oswegoland Park District for the Big Mouth Adventure Race. This (approximately) 19 mile event combined running, mountain biking, and canoeing as originally planned, though flood-stage conditions on the Fox River caused a last-minute cancellation of the canoe segment, with corresponding increases in the other parts.
This was the first time this event was run, and all concerned thought it was a big success. Participants seemed to enjoy the wet and muddy conditions. The Oswegoland Park District said "We couldn't have done it without your help", and the Amateur Radio volunteers performed outstandingly under less-than-ideal conditions. The course of the race, on the east side of the Fox River, posed unusual challenges for radio communication, as several critical sites were under an "RF shadow" from the higher west bank of the river.
Net Control operations on 2 meter simplex were located at Oswego High School, (special thanks to Denny W9HI, for letting us use this facility!), and Greg N9CHA provided a crossband repeater that effectively covered the riverbank area around Saw-Wee-Kee Park.
Lloyd KC9DMS, Bill WB9LPW, Kent KE1NT, and Kent W9NDW, provided crucial staff services as I shadowed Clint and Kristie of the Oswegoland Park District at Hudson Crossing Park, the start and finish point. Chris KC9BKS and Tyler KC9LWY provided SAG service over the bike portion of the course, carrying one rider back to the finish line after a fall. Greg N9CHA, Eric KC9FQV, Eric AB9OS, Ben KC9LTY, and Kyle KB9YUW operated from checkpoints along the course. Bart KC9FQA, Catherine KC9KJU, Denny W9HI, and Ryan (no callsign yet) all acted as net control at various times during an event that lasted from about 0530 to 1200.
After the last group crossed the finish line, we met at Portillo's in Oswego for lunch and after-action debriefing, as well as a chance to dry out and/or warm up! Because of the excellent impression we made on the Park District officials, I think we can expect additional requests for our services from them. Thanks again to everyone who volunteered!
73,
Phil W9XAN
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