Callaway Gardens Triathlon - Triathlon

Swimmer had been out of the water for 4wks due to injury. Arrived Sat realizing just how short 1000m looked. Seeing as how he competes in Water Polo & MMA he figured he could do it.

Practice swim on Sat confirmed he felt good. We gave the swim to him.

His biggest complaint: people cut off some distance on the last bouy & there needed to be another bouy at the end marking the water exit.

He exited the water along people 2 waves in front of him.

He claims he needs to swim more. His Tpace during competition is approximately 1:08 - 1:10/100

No designated "RELAY" section in transition. We set the bike closer to the "bike exit" so we would not have to cover so much ground with the bike.

I waited at the entrance, dressed in shoes & helmet, awaiting the swimmer. Once the chip was passed, ran to the bike, unracked it, ran to the exit, threw a leg over and took off.

Overall Transition was a CLUSTER. People racked their bikes against trees, signs, laid them on the ground, and took up WAY too much space.

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Went HARD. New that I didn't have to run, so went hard and wide open. Stood out of the saddle on hill climbs, bombed the downhills, and passed at every opportunity.

The race was NOT marshalled, so there were lots of pacelining and drafting.

The course was open to traffic on the second loop. Out of transition, turned left and traveled on flat ground for almost a mile. Traffic, both pedestrian & cars, was HORRIBLE. Race volunteers were calling to ride the left, then the right, then the left of the roadway. Pedestrians were walking out into the course at will. This stretch was DANGEROUS.

Used rental wheels - Specialized TriSpokes from the bike shop and felt FAST. I could tell a difference.

Also, as started lap 2, an ambulance was tending to a biker who endo'd trying to avoid a car, that a volunteer let onto the course. The car turned infront of the biker, which neither saw until it was too late. Really took the fight out knowing the cars weren't paying attention.

Lastly, as finishing the 2nd loop, riding in the right lane, we came head to head to a line of cars trying to drive on the course. Spectators were standing in the roadway blocking them so that we could drive on the left side and avoid them. How/Why they were in the wrong lane, beats me.

Passed the cars, came out of the shoes, and rode the momentum into the transition.

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Seeing as how there was no designated "relay" area, our runner waited at the bike entrance. I rode in, exchanged the chip, and then proceeded to rack the bike. The runner took out from there at race pace.

This Transition as a whole was terrible too. Saw LOTS of spectators sitting down in transition taking photos of people coming in. Bikes were laying everywhere and hardly any on the racks so it was a whole lot of "dodging bikes".

We made out well as a relay team.

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Crowded with the amount of runners and being an out and back on the standard walking trail. Description called for flat racing, yet it was rolling hills.

There were no marshalls on the course and very easy to get off of the course without realizing. Nobody manning the turnaround so some cut it short.

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Walked around, taking in sports drink, water, & fruit waiting on results to come up.

Went ahead and took the bike to the car, since the Transition area was not very secure. Finally returned to see results up and that we were standing in contention to win.

Hung around waiting for awards, to claim 1st Place Mens Relay Division.


Crowded venue, and need more training time.


In 30yrs, the race director has been lucky not getting someone killed on the course with the traffic. IT NEEDS TO CHANGE. Either make the race earlier, delay the opening a while, or close the gates during the race.

Transition was NOT secured. People wandered through there at their own will. People rode their bikes through transition without issue. Transition was VERY WIDE OPEN.

Lack of volunteers.

Good venue, good course, but poor organization!