Roll Call Jackson County Triathlon

Course previews I wrote last year - http://www.examiner.com/article/jackson-county-triathlon-run-course... be running the long course.  Personally I have had no issues with the course and I think it's pretty well ran.  The event is more focused on bang for your buck.  It's less expensive than other local races, but you don't get the glitter like race medals and what not.  Just depends on what works for you, I guess.

But, they did have an issue with the swim last year.  Pretty major.  Something got screwed up between the RD, swim course director, lifeguards and divers and the swim course was way too short.  Athletes got turned towards shore too early and by the time they figured out what was going on, it would have given an edge to the earlier waves.  So, everyone on the long course swam than same distance, just not the advertised length.  Helped us mediocre swimmers.

I've done this race the last 3 years, two sprints, last year did the long course.  Bike course is pretty flat, a little climbing, nothing like the grades you see at SM Park.  This is a KLM race so no frills, no awards ceremony and no Chocolate Milk!  It's a farily well attended race.  If you want race day pageantry, lots of fluff etc. don't go.  If you want to race on a decent course that is not too crowded, then do this one.  The SM race had a pretty talented field for the long course, you won't see that much talent at Jackson County typically.  A few of those fast guys will show, just not quite as many.  I was 20th overall at Jackson County last year and I would have been lucky to crack the top 40 in the long course Sunday.

I've heard some negative feeback about KLM races, like lack of course markings, swim courses off etc.  Last year the long course was supposed to be 1000m but ended up being between 550-600m.  That cost me at least 4 places overall, I could have put another minute or two between myself and those guys that finally caught me :P

I think I get the early bird price since I did the SM Park race so I may do the long course, undecided at the moment.

Reece, did you ever hear anything more on early bird pricing?

Yep.  I'm signed up for the long course and then the Midwest Meltdown.  After that, its the KC Marathon and then off to fall/winter maintenance mode.

Seems after 60 days of 100 degrees, suddenly summer is coming to an end!

Is this the inaugural year for the Manhattan Tri?  I don't know much about the area, water level situation?  Looks interesting, I do like sprint distances with longer swims.  I don't think there's discount for Jackson County for those who did the SM Tri, I think they are just giving the ladies a discount (those who did the ladies only tri, something like that).  I do like the Jackson County course though, nice and fast, no super steel hills, just one or two long gradual climbs.

Of course I do like the Jackson county course when the swim is 1000m instead of 600m ......

Still on the fence. I should have a long ride that day in prep for Branson.

How did everyone do? 

I took 2nd overall in Manhattan and a bad T1 (ended up with a rock in my shoe that I had to stop and get out) kept me from 1st overall.  Fun race for anyone thinking about it in the future.  The bike is a hard climb out of the park followed by a relatively easy, steady incline to the turnaround.  After that, it is a freaking hammerfest back to T2.  I averaged about 29-30 mph most of the way back.  The run was completely flat.

Good work on 2nd!

Personally, 39th overall which is ironic since my bib number was 39.  I had a great swim (thanks to wetsuit legal) and solid run, but my bike splits were the worst I have ever ridden out there.

Minor headwind in spots, but my legs just couldn't find the speed.

http://www.falkeetriathlon.blogspot.com/2012/08/2012-jackson-county-triathlon-long.html

Love your race reports!  I am having the opposite experience on the bike.  I averaged 22.8 mph which had a lot to do with the consistent downhill on the way back and a manageable climb on the way out.  Been able to hammer it pretty hard in workouts recently which gave me confidence to hammer it in the race.  I was also finally able to put a good run on the end of a tri by doing the 5k in 20:20.  Hopefully that bodes well for HyVee in two weeks.

Anyone doing the Weatherby Lake tri this Sunday?

Jayhox raises hand

Nice race!