Council approves Woodstock Duathlon

The Woodstock City Council unanimously approved use of Emricson Park for a duathlon to benefit Hearthstone Communities in early autumn.

Called the Woodstock Duathlon, the event will be held Sunday, Sept. 23. There will be a short-form and long-form race. The Woodstock Water Works area will be used as a transition area and finish line for both races.

Set-up for the event will begin at 2 p.m. the day prior to the race. Organizers have been made aware that security will be their responsibility, and the city will bear no liability for damage to property.

“The organizers have agreed to reimburse the city for any and all costs for police assistance and to be responsible for all cleanup and any damage that may be caused by the event,” a staff report stated. “They also agree to provide the city with a certificate of insurance naming the city as certificate holder and additional insured.”

The short race will have participants running two kilometers before transitioning to a bicycle. They will  leave Emricson Park via the South Street entrance/exit, turning west and proceeding into county jurisdiction for a 20-kilometer ride. They will return to the park through the same entrance, where they will run another two kilometers before finishing the race.

The city expects police assistance to be required at the South Street entrance/exit, and event organizers will work with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department and township officials to secure assistance with riders on county roads.

The long race begins with a 10-kilometer run, followed by a 40-kilometer bike race and a final five-kilometer run. During this race, additional police assistance likely would be needed at the intersection of Kishwaukee Valley Road and Highway 14.

The Independent will have additional information about the Woodstock Duathlon as the event nears.