Air Quality and the Arctic Triathlon Series
Arctic Triathlon Series participants,
We have developed a plan to address the potential for poor air quality on race day. First, below are the EPA's definitions of the Air Quality Index around which our plan is based. These are the numbers being monitored by several different entities around town (although not all use the same color scheme).
We have developed a plan to address the potential for poor air quality on race day. First, below are the EPA's definitions of the Air Quality Index around which our plan is based. These are the numbers being monitored by several different entities around town (although not all use the same color scheme).
We are using multiple resources to help make our decision. These include:
There are four components to our plan.
PLAN A: Yellow or Green AQI
If the AQI forecast for race day is yellow or green (< 101 AQI), the race will happen as usual with no refunds.
PLAN B: Orange AQI
If the AQI forecast for race day is orange (101-150 AQI), you will have the option to drop out and receive a 50% refund. Please consider your individual health issues and willingness to race in semi-smokey conditions. To drop out due to air quality, you must email us at [email protected] by 10 pm on the final Wednesday before that Saturday’s race (i.e. four days before the race). If conditions continue to be forecast as orange on the last Thursday before the race at 5 pm, the race will happen as usual, and partial refunds will only be offered to those who withdrew by the Wednesday deadline.
PLAN C: Red, Purple, or Maroon AQI
If the AQI is forecast to be red or worse (>151 AQI) on race day, the race will be canceled. We will make this decision after 5 pm on the last Thursday before the race with an announcement that evening. All registered participants will receive a full refund. While we do not typically offer refunds, this situation would be beyond everyone's control and the safety of each of you is our priority.
PLAN D: Race day AQI
Forecasting smoke levels is similar to weather forecasting; subject to change. The race director reserves the right to cancel the race if conditions are poor the day of the race. That decision will be made on site on race day. We will post on Facebook and via email at 7 am that morning if the race is canceled. All registered participants will receive a full refund.
We will do all we can to ensure the race goes on. But we also want everyone to stay safe and healthy. We appreciate your understanding.
Arctic Triathlon Series
Janna, Amber, Ron, Samantha, Jacqui and Paula
- The UAF wildfire smoke forecaster (Forecast PM 2.5 | Alaska Wildfires Smoke Forecast Page)
- The Alaska DEC air quality index (Alaska Air Quality Index (AQI))
There are four components to our plan.
PLAN A: Yellow or Green AQI
If the AQI forecast for race day is yellow or green (< 101 AQI), the race will happen as usual with no refunds.
PLAN B: Orange AQI
If the AQI forecast for race day is orange (101-150 AQI), you will have the option to drop out and receive a 50% refund. Please consider your individual health issues and willingness to race in semi-smokey conditions. To drop out due to air quality, you must email us at [email protected] by 10 pm on the final Wednesday before that Saturday’s race (i.e. four days before the race). If conditions continue to be forecast as orange on the last Thursday before the race at 5 pm, the race will happen as usual, and partial refunds will only be offered to those who withdrew by the Wednesday deadline.
PLAN C: Red, Purple, or Maroon AQI
If the AQI is forecast to be red or worse (>151 AQI) on race day, the race will be canceled. We will make this decision after 5 pm on the last Thursday before the race with an announcement that evening. All registered participants will receive a full refund. While we do not typically offer refunds, this situation would be beyond everyone's control and the safety of each of you is our priority.
PLAN D: Race day AQI
Forecasting smoke levels is similar to weather forecasting; subject to change. The race director reserves the right to cancel the race if conditions are poor the day of the race. That decision will be made on site on race day. We will post on Facebook and via email at 7 am that morning if the race is canceled. All registered participants will receive a full refund.
We will do all we can to ensure the race goes on. But we also want everyone to stay safe and healthy. We appreciate your understanding.
Arctic Triathlon Series
Janna, Amber, Ron, Samantha, Jacqui and Paula