Delavan Lake Triathlon - Sprint Distance - TriathlonMini Sprint

after reading the comments on this event, i feel compelled to post an alternate perspective on the experience. for context, this was only the 2nd tri i have ever competed in, the first being 5+ years ago.

starting time: i participated in the super-sprint event. according the starting schedules which were posted in the packet pickup/registration area the night before the event, my distance would be the last to start, scheduled for 7:15AM. while i don't know the exact time we were sent into the water, i exited the water at 7:22, and my swim took me just over 6 minutes. this puts the starting time somewhere between 7:15-6. i'm not sure how the other distances could have started 20 minutes late as reported...as they all went before me, the first being sent off at 7:03, just after the adventure race began, and as scheduled. we (super-sprint) were the last in the water...and we were sent right on time.

bike course markings: the super-sprint and sprint distances shared the same bike course, overlapping at times with the olympic course. i never looked at a course map before the race, nor drove the course the night before, and not once along the course did i feel confused or mis-directed as it related to staying with my distance. before the race i noted the location of 'bike out' signs from the transition area, and that represented my familiarity level with the course before the race. and, as i was one of the first people out of the water for the entire event, i didn't have many folks to simply follow on the bike to stay on course. i relied soley on volunteers and signage, all of which were ample to keep me on course and on proper distance.

run course: not many issues here. the course was a simple loop, well marked and easy to follow. once portion had folks passing one another, one side heading out, the other heading back in. i believe this is the area commenters are referring to as 'people running in all directions'. this, however, was as designed, and didn't appear to cause any confusion. i was a bit surprised that part of the run was cross-country...but that seemed to add to the overall experience, rather than detract from it.

i'll concede that the transition area wasn't secured..and in general, the event seemed like it could have used a bit more 'tightening up'....but overall, i thought it was managed 'enough', and along with a small amount of effort (even for a newbie), was completely enjoyable. if i had any feedback, it would be to start the awards ceremony on time, as many folks seem to arrive late as the ceremony began 20mins prior to the advertised timing.

could there have been more signage and volunteers...? sure. can there be too much?, i don't know. my only view was that there was enough to get by, even for someone with little experience at this. i wonder how much hand-holding is done at events that receive high-praise from this community? is it much more than was provided at this event? is it all that necessary?