Here are a few notes on the upcoming Can-Am Dual Meet. You may see the event listed as the USA vs. Canada Junior Dual Meet or as the 2011 USA vs Canada Junior Race Walk Match.

When is the Can-Am Dual meet?
Sunday, August 14, 2011

What is the schedule of events?

• 9:00 a.m. International 5 km. Junior Women
• 9:05 a.m. International 10 km. Junior Men
• 10:15 a.m. youth 2 km.
• 10:15 a.m. novice/all-comers 3 km.

Who is eligible to compete?
Junior women race 5 km while Junior men race 10 km. (Junior’s are those athletes that are fourteen (14) years of age or older and will not become twenty (20) in 2011.) The US and Canadian Junior Women teams consist of 4 to 6 scoring athletes per country. Likewise, the US and Canadian Junior Men teams consist of 4 to 6 scoring athletes per country. Junior team members as well as non-team members may compete if they meet the 30:00 5 km or 58:00 10 km time standards.

Youth, age 14 and under, may compete in the 2 km race walk scheduled for 10:15 AM. All-comers and National Team Alumni may compete in the 3 km race walk also scheduled for 10:15 AM.

How were the teams selected?
The US team was selected from the top 6 finishers from the 2011 USATF Junior Nationals, 10 kilometer race walk, held on the Hayward Field Track in Eugene, Oregon in June 2011. In addition, team members must meet the following qualifying times:

Women: 58:00
Men: 54:00

The Canadian athletes were selected from their national championship.

Here’s the team roster.

How are teams scored?
The scoring points awarded are 7-5-4-3-2-1 with 3 scoring members per team. The team with the highest score is the winner.

Who are the 2011 team staff?
Tish Hannah is the US Team Manager. Tom Menendez in the US Team Coach.

Linda Keatley-Campbell is the Canadian Team Manager.

Where is the event?
East Boston Memorial Park (Satori Stadium) in East Boston. It’s located less than 100 yards from the MBTA Blue Line Airport Station and less than 100 yards from the host hotel.

Do you have an entry form?  How do I register for the race walk?
Yes, click here to view and print an entry form in PDF format.

Has the event been held before?
This is the 23rd annual USA vs Canada Junior Team Race Walk Match, but it is the first time in New England. The first match was held in 1989 and the race site alternates between the US and Canada.

A complete history is available here.

How many competitors do you expect?
We expect each of the international races to have about 20 competitors. In addition, we expect about 20-30 walkers in the youth, novice and all-comers races. That’s a total of 60-70 race walkers.

What is the course like?
The event will use the paved bicycle path in the 17.63 acre East Boston Memorial Bark. The 1054.54 meter path, goes around Satori Stadium. The finish will be located near the Gazebo. Details on the course are available here.

Here are a few images of the course.

Any awards?
TBD: Award Plaques

What activities will we offer the Junior Teams members?
We will have a pre-race dinner at Jevelis. Jeveli’s Restaurant is located at 387 Chelsea Street, East Boston, MA, about 3/4 mile from the race site. Jevelis will offer three menus:

• Spaghetti with or without meatballs/sausage
• Chicken Parmigiana
• Ravioli

Also TBD: Water Taxi, Trolley Tour, Faneuil Hall, Santarpios

Where is the host hotel?
Our host hotel is the Embassy Suites Boston – at Logan Airport, 207 Porter Street, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 02128, Tel: 1-617-567-5000 Fax: 1-617-567-5999

How Do I Get There

• From the Embassy Suites Boston Hotel: walk out the main entrance. You will see Satori Stadium, located less than 200 yards away.
• By public transportation: Take the MBTA Blue Line to Airport Station. Head southwest and follow the signs for East Boston Memorial Park. You will see Satori Stadium, located less than 100 yards away.
• By car from Boston and Route 93:
  1. Take the Callahan tunnel toward Logan Airport (Rt 1A) — you do NOT pay a toll. Stay to the right lane in the tunnel.
  2. Exit the tunnel in the right lane and take an immediate right at the “Local Exit.”
     (You must take the LOCAL exit off the tunnel or you will be at the airport and driving in circles.)
  3. At Santarpio’s Pizza, go straight onto Porter Street (It’s actually a left and very quick right).
  4. Go over the bridge and take the first left at the lights. The park will be on your right.

  If you are using a GPS, program the unit for 141 Porter Street, East Boston, MA 02128.

Follow this map for detailed directions.

View Larger Map

Who are the local organizers?
The event is hosted by the USA Track & Field New England Association and the New England Walkers Club.

Who will be Judging the race walks?
Joe Light is coordinating the judges.  The pool of judges include Maryanne Daniel, Ron Daniel, William J. Pollinger, Joe Light, Gary Westerfield, Thomas Knatt, Steve Vaitones and Justin Kuo.  We’ll also have an  official to run the DQ board and one or two red card collectors.

What about refreshments?
One or two tables will be set up along the bicycle path for water and refreshments for the competitors on the course.

We will need race-day refreshments for everyone involved with the race.

How can I help?
We are looking for volunteers to help organize the following items.

• Hospitality
• Volunteer refreshments
• Pre race events
• Registration
• Post race social
• Lap Scoring

That list will change as we get closer to the race date. Volunteers are expected to arrive by 8:00 AM.  Contact Justin Kuo or Steve Vaitones if you can help.

How do I help as Lap-Scorer?
Contact Joanne Harriman or Jay Diener for details.
Click here for a blank copy of the lap sheets.

How are the Water Stations and Aid Stations set up?
See the Aid Station Protocol.

Sponsors
So far, our sponsorship for the Can-Am meet is being provided by Odwalla, Olive Garden, Pepsi Cola, and Popchips.  We thank them for their generosity.

Need More Information?
Steve Vaitones wrote a Summary Sheet for the upcoming event which was distributed to the Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Mass Sport Partnership and others. It’s available here.

You may also contact the USA Track & Field New England Association by email or by phone: 617-566-7600.