Planning Update - Here We Go!

 Major Planning News

TURIN, Italy - It was great seeing and meeting many of you at the LETR International Conference last week. It was an excellent conference with amazing speakers and great information. 

Greg Dawson, Kami Delameter (SOI) and I are currently in Italy on a Final Leg planning trip. As we had hoped, there are a number of significant updates to provide - FINALLY!

HOTEL - NH Torino Lingotto Congress Hotel

We are very excited to announce that the NH Torino Lingotto Congress Hotel will serve as the host hotel for the 2025 Final Leg Team. Greg, Kami and I toured the hotel Tuesday evening and confirmed it meets all of our needs for the Final Leg. It is a beautiful property with a number of outstanding amenities and very nice guest rooms. The hotel is centrally located in Torino, providing access to restaurants, shops, and local landmarks within walking distance.

The Final Leg Team has been extended a reduced rate during our official Final Leg dates, and the hotel has graciously agreed to offer that rate to team members who may wish to arrive early or stay late. Details on the rate and making those extended reservations will be available as soon as the contract with the hotel is completed. 

Running Routes

We have had the opportunity to review in person the running routes for Cuneo, Asti, Alessandra, Vircelli, and Novara so far. SO Italia has been extremely thoughtful in designing the routes, ensuring we are running through populated areas, and running with purpose. Many of the runs are across uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones, and there will be inclines and declines.

Greg and I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being in proper running condition when you arrive in Italy. The routes will not allow our buses to follow, which means there will likely be no "sag-wagon" for anyone who cannot complete a run. While we are certainly aware that an injury could occur, there is no legitimate reason a team member should fail to complete a run due to poor physical condition. When a runner must stop, it requires a Team Leader to stay with that runner until we can send transport to retrieve them. This circumstance not only takes away from the runner's experience, but the experience for the Team Leader and the entire team.

Remember, we will be running in the Italian Alps, so please incorporate hill training (hill repeats are perfect) in order to be prepared. Again, we want everyone to enjoy the entire experience.

Flights 

On or about 2 December, you will receive an email (and on the Blog) with exact arrival and departure dates. You may arrive earlier or stay later at your own expense, but you must arrive at the hotel on the date specified, no exceptions. 

You will then receive an email from World Travel requesting your specific travel information, including your departure and return airport codes, passport information and dates of travel. It will be imperative that you respond to that email as quickly as possible. Once you have provided that information, World Travel will send you a number of flight options. Once you have selected and confirmed your selections, your travel will be ticketed. You will then need to complete another form that provides the Final Leg Planning Committe with all of your travel information including all connecting flights. This information is crucial because our Logistic Team will be actively monitoring all flights to ensure your timely pickup from the Turin airport. 

Miscellaneous

When you receive your uniform kit, you will see that you have been provided multiple layers of clothing, and this is very purposeful. What we have learned in our few days in Turin is that the air is very damp, meaning that 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 Celsius) feels much colder. When we run, the Management Team will make a determination after conferring with Team Leaders on what the uniform for the run will be. It will be essential for all Team members to have all of their uniform pieces available. If one person does not have a hat, no one wears a hat. We will always be uniform. 

For those who may have limited or no experience traveling in Italy, the photo below is not meant to shock you but provide you with a realistic expectation for men's and women's restrooms. This is very typical of what you'll find in public areas. Some restaurants will have a full toilet, but many will have what you see below.

For any of you that may have played catcher in baseball or softball, you will be putting those skills back to work again!

We were very excited for this Final Leg before we arrived in Italy on Tuesday, but I can tell you with 100% confidence that I am even more excited now. Can't wait for all of you to be here and experience it. We are going to have a great time spreading the word of acceptance and inclusion throughout the Piedmont Region of Italy!

Ciao!!