Distances: long course (1200 yd swim, 16 mi mtn bike, 6 mi run), short course (600 yd swim, 7 mi mtn bike, 3 mi run), long course relay
http://www.bigskytri.com/
Hyalite Canyon was a great venue for an off road triathalon. The short course racers did one loop of each route, while the long course folks did two. The run course was on a fairly technical trail with a number of short steep climbs and descents. Since I'm a mostly lousy mountain biker, I found the bike course more technically challenging than the run course. Course marking was good, but there were a few spots on both the bike and run courses which may have benefited from having a volunteer there as well.
I generally enjoyed this event, but I had two complaints. First there was the problem of some early finishers loitering around the finish line and blocking the start of the run course for racers still coming out of the bike-run transition. Also, a race this long should have food available to finishers. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but a few bagels or some fruit would have been very welcome and all I saw was water and a few abandoned gel packets.
Showing posts with label triathalons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label triathalons. Show all posts
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Powderhound Winter Triathalon
Distance: 1 event with 5k run, 10k mountain bike, & 5k cross country ski
http://www.homestakelodge.com/events1.html
Disclaimer: I'm a lousy biker and tried skate skiing only a handful of times prior to race day. Keep this in mind when I tell you how difficult those legs are.
This was a fun mid-winter event, and I wouldn't be afraid to show up if you aren't comfortable racing one of the events because most people seemed prepared to have fun. The run was two loops on an ungroomed path- which meant you post-holed on the first loop and ran through churned up snow in the second. The bike was also two loops on a groomed x-c ski trail. The bike course got really torn up and became increasingly difficult to ride on as more people had been on it- which gave fast runners a distinct advantage because they saw better conditions. (The second loop of the bike was so bad the organizers have PROMISED a one-loop course for next year). The x-c ski leg was a single loop. There is a short overlap in the x-c ski leg between people leaving the exchange zone and the finishing stretch so be alert. Terrain for all events was rolling hills.
As with all the events I've participated at the Homestake Pass Lodge, it was well organized with a great atmosphere and they provided a post-race meal/socializing opportunity, in this case, a chili feed.
http://www.homestakelodge.com/events1.html
Disclaimer: I'm a lousy biker and tried skate skiing only a handful of times prior to race day. Keep this in mind when I tell you how difficult those legs are.
This was a fun mid-winter event, and I wouldn't be afraid to show up if you aren't comfortable racing one of the events because most people seemed prepared to have fun. The run was two loops on an ungroomed path- which meant you post-holed on the first loop and ran through churned up snow in the second. The bike was also two loops on a groomed x-c ski trail. The bike course got really torn up and became increasingly difficult to ride on as more people had been on it- which gave fast runners a distinct advantage because they saw better conditions. (The second loop of the bike was so bad the organizers have PROMISED a one-loop course for next year). The x-c ski leg was a single loop. There is a short overlap in the x-c ski leg between people leaving the exchange zone and the finishing stretch so be alert. Terrain for all events was rolling hills.
As with all the events I've participated at the Homestake Pass Lodge, it was well organized with a great atmosphere and they provided a post-race meal/socializing opportunity, in this case, a chili feed.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Spring Meadow Triathalon
Distances: sprint triathalon, olympic triathalon
http://www.helenarunningclub.com/docs/SML_Tri.pdf
Spring Meadow State Park is one of the nicer triathalon venues in the state. The park is on the west edge of town, in the shadow of Mt. Helena. The spring meadow triatahlon is beginner friendly because it features both a sprint and olympic distance. The swim is a long clockwise circle around the circumference of the lake. The water is always cool but wetsuits are allowed and recommended. The transition is a short run across grass to the paved parking lot. The bike course is arguably the strongest attraction of the race. It is an out and back route on a two lane county road through open ranch country. The road is open to traffic. On the way out it is gradually uphill with some rolling hills thrown in. On the way back, not only do you get to enjoy a fast downhill, but there are also rewarding views of Mt. Helena and its southern ridge line and the city of Helena with a backdrop of the Elkhorn mountains. The run starts with a lap around the lake on a nice dirt path and exits the park for a brief section on pavement. The olympic race runs 2 loops of the 5k sprint course which brings the runners back through the park so fans have an idea how the racers are faring. More than half the run is on dirt trails or roads. Even though this race is not chip timed, the organizers are racers themselves, so they make sure you not only get all your individual spilt times, but transition times as well. This race usually has less than 200 competitors and is well organized with friendly, outgoing volunteers. Among the volunteers is an experienced finish line announcer (and triathlete himself) who has the abilty to both to communicate with the racers and keep the fans informed about the racers and their performances. Unique awards are given to 1st thru 3rd places in 5 yr. age groups. The organizers have tried to give participants something different from the standard t-shirt. In the past, sweatshirts, singlets, or workout bags have been given. The low key awards presentation after the race also has many raffle prizes. The race is always held on the Sunday after the 4th of July and the weather has always seemed to cooperate with sunshine and no rain!! The low entry fee is just one more good reason to add this race to your schedule.
****reviewed by a Helena Running Club guest reviewer****
http://www.helenarunningclub.com/docs/SML_Tri.pdf
Spring Meadow State Park is one of the nicer triathalon venues in the state. The park is on the west edge of town, in the shadow of Mt. Helena. The spring meadow triatahlon is beginner friendly because it features both a sprint and olympic distance. The swim is a long clockwise circle around the circumference of the lake. The water is always cool but wetsuits are allowed and recommended. The transition is a short run across grass to the paved parking lot. The bike course is arguably the strongest attraction of the race. It is an out and back route on a two lane county road through open ranch country. The road is open to traffic. On the way out it is gradually uphill with some rolling hills thrown in. On the way back, not only do you get to enjoy a fast downhill, but there are also rewarding views of Mt. Helena and its southern ridge line and the city of Helena with a backdrop of the Elkhorn mountains. The run starts with a lap around the lake on a nice dirt path and exits the park for a brief section on pavement. The olympic race runs 2 loops of the 5k sprint course which brings the runners back through the park so fans have an idea how the racers are faring. More than half the run is on dirt trails or roads. Even though this race is not chip timed, the organizers are racers themselves, so they make sure you not only get all your individual spilt times, but transition times as well. This race usually has less than 200 competitors and is well organized with friendly, outgoing volunteers. Among the volunteers is an experienced finish line announcer (and triathlete himself) who has the abilty to both to communicate with the racers and keep the fans informed about the racers and their performances. Unique awards are given to 1st thru 3rd places in 5 yr. age groups. The organizers have tried to give participants something different from the standard t-shirt. In the past, sweatshirts, singlets, or workout bags have been given. The low key awards presentation after the race also has many raffle prizes. The race is always held on the Sunday after the 4th of July and the weather has always seemed to cooperate with sunshine and no rain!! The low entry fee is just one more good reason to add this race to your schedule.
****reviewed by a Helena Running Club guest reviewer****
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