Steam Donkey Racing’s Air Quality Policy

Smoky days are here again, and if you’ve been out and about in Cumberland you will have noticed those verdant hills don’t look quite as sharp as they normally do.

While the air quality index for the region has nonetheless stayed relatively low, lingering in the low to moderate risk range, we are keeping our eyes on the air quality rating and will adjust accordingly. Our hope, and indeed our expectation, is that we will not have to make any modifications to Frontrunners Fit Chiropractic Dodge City X due to air quality concerns.

That said, we can’t control the weather (yet), and with the cancellation of at least one major triathlon event in the Okanagan recently, we know that air quality is on your mind, too. Thus, we thought it would be a good time to re-share our policies on air quality as they pertain to our event.

Air Quality Policies driven by Triathlon BC

Our policies around air quality follow in lockstep with those of Triathlon BC, our sanctioning body. These policies, along with more information on the Air Quality Health Index (HQHI), the particular dangers of forest fire smoke and general guidelines for exposure to poor air quality , can be found in Triathlon BC’s Air Quality Policy.

Because wood smoke can be particularly problematic, we choose to err on the side of athlete safety should air quality be a concern. Here’s our policy:

Air Quality Health Index ratings and how they affect SDR events

AQHI of <7: All events proceed as planned, albeit perhaps with additional communication around air quality precautions.

AQHI of 7-8: Events will be modified/shortened. In the case of Frontrunners Fit Chiropractic Dodge City X, the Standard Course would likely be cancelled , in which case all athletes, including relay team members, would do the Sprint Course.

AQHI of 9-10+: Events must be cancelled or postponed until air quality improves.

Like we said, we have every reason to be optimistic that air quality will not be an issue on September 9. That said, we’ll continue to keep you updated should air quality once again pose an issue.