As many of those on hand to volunteer noted, this year’s Gran Fondo saw fewer people roll through town than it often does, as a direct consequence about concerns over excessive heat along the course.  While temperatures during the morning hours remained within average parameters, they had soared by the afternoon.  Racers were advised to make sure they were healthy enough for the 100 mile race (the one that passes through Malad as its halfway point), and had adequate access to hydration.

The rest, recovery, and medical station at the City Park in Malad once again provided all of the preceding, with its standard lay out of Uncrustables, fruits, granola bars, electrolyte drinks, meat and cheese, licorice, and of course, pickles.  There were plenty of racers who clearly needed the liquid and sustenance, but the race began earlier than usual in order to attempt to “beat the heat” and for the most part it appears to have worked.

The aid station that had been set up to provide immediate care for heat-related conditions was briefly used a few times, though the majority of medical attention went to minor scrapes and cuts, and the dispensing of ibuprofen.  Several rider wrecks were reported over the radio, though none of them were related to incidents in the Malad area, and none of them were serious or life-threatening.

The Gran Fondo is a large fundraiser for cancer research, and raises thousands of dollars among its hundreds of entrants toward the cause.  The Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital is a sponsor and partner of the event, and has been involved in providing a mid-point station in the race for around a decade.  Many riders expressed their appreciation for the services provided, and more than one claimed that the Malad stop was the best part of the race.

Hospital CEO John Williams explained the set up for heat issues.  “We’ve got a quick care station here on the stage,” he said, pointing to a blanket which had been set up on the stage of the pavilion.  The blanket sat next to a fan, and monitoring equipment, hydration materials, and other first aid supplies were within reach.  “We haven’t had to use it yet, but everything is ready for when we do.”

Certified PA Bo Clark from the hospital was also on hand to provide medical intervention as needed.  While he didn’t have to perform any emergency surgery or use anything as serious as the defibrillator at the emergency station, he was called upon throughout the morning to provide attention to various complaints.  The most dramatic injury of the morning was actually an own-goal.  Yani from Ogden was “pulling my glove off too fast and hurt my hand.”  Clark treated the finger injury and the rider took back to the road with her race cohort only slightly worse for the wear.

In addition to the hospital staff, the event was supported by RACOON (Radio Amateur Club Of Oneida Neighbors), who maintained a radio communication network during the event for emergency, traffic, and event information.  The event is one of the main times during the year that the club has a real-time chance to implement its network in a non-
drill capacity.  

Also on hand was Madelyn Shaw, who explained that she was not there specifically on behalf of the DYW program, of which she is the current Oneida County representative.  “I’m just here to help out,” Shaw explained, as she distributed pickle juice to the riders who tend to congregate around it. 

While the number of riders may have been slightly down this year, the event is a very popular one, and Malad is a very popular stop on it, so there’s every reason to expect another batch of high-level athletes making their way down the canyon and into town again next year.