Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!

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2008-10-15 7:15 AM

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Expert
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Wellington, Florida
Subject: Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!
Anyone who might be thinking about driving down to Panama City in the fututre to do the Emerald Coast Sprints, think twice.
The events are put on by Emerald Coast Event and a guy named Jerry Lynch.
The whole event was the most disorganized event I have ever done.
Starting with from getting Halloween candy in your packet (no sports stuff)
Then when we got to the event site race morning at 6:10am for a 7:30 start, the transistion racks were still being set up.
To a 300+ person mass start on the beach, men, women, child, everyone...all at once.
To having only one guy on a jetski to oversee 300+ people in the water.
To having the swim caps the same color as the bouys,
To having to run THRU Spinnakers Raw Bar from the beach to the parking lot for T 1,
To having the finish line timing matt come un-plugged and not recording for about 3 min's,
To running out of awards after.

I know race directors need volunteers to make it all work and that might have been part of the problem. But overall not a very well run event.
One side note, they did have a nice lunch spred for all after.

So before you fill your gas tank a few times to drive down and back, think twice about these races next year....BEWARE.

FM

2008-10-15 7:41 AM
in reply to: #1743482

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Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!

The Cube - 2008-10-15 8:15 AM Anyone who might be thinking about driving down to Panama City in the fututre to do the Emerald Coast Sprints, think twice. The events are put on by Emerald Coast Event and a guy named Jerry Lynch. The whole event was the most disorganized event I have ever done. Starting with from getting Halloween candy in your packet (no sports stuff) Then when we got to the event site race morning at 6:10am for a 7:30 start, the transistion racks were still being set up. To a 300+ person mass start on the beach, men, women, child, everyone...all at once. To having only one guy on a jetski to oversee 300+ people in the water. To having the swim caps the same color as the bouys, To having to run THRU Spinnakers Raw Bar from the beach to the parking lot for T 1, To having the finish line timing matt come un-plugged and not recording for about 3 min's, To running out of awards after. I know race directors need volunteers to make it all work and that might have been part of the problem. But overall not a very well run event. One side note, they did have a nice lunch spred for all after. So before you fill your gas tank a few times to drive down and back, think twice about these races next year....BEWARE. FM

Bummer!

But how'd you do?

2008-10-15 7:44 AM
in reply to: #1743482

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Expert
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100010025
Wellington, Florida
Subject: RE: Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!
I did ok, 2nd AG and the ocean swim is awsome compare to the nasty georgia lakes.
Just sad the event was like that.

FM
2008-10-15 8:08 AM
in reply to: #1743482

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Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!

Good feed back ... unfortunately this is not the first time the race has received poor marks.

Congrats on the podium finish in your AG, though.  That is a nice way to cap off the season.

2008-10-15 12:42 PM
in reply to: #1743482

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Expert
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Wellington, Florida
Subject: RE: Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!
Thx Brian....
I still have one more to go, the Master Tri Championships in Orlando on Oct 26th:

http://buttar.com/events/2008/10.26.08.Masters/index.htm

Then the off season starts...taking Nov off, then going to hit the weights harder this winter.

FM
2008-10-16 1:45 PM
in reply to: #1743482

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Lilburn
Subject: RE: Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!

My husband and I did this race last weekend too and I completely agree with you.

We were shocked that they didn't have transition set up.  The body marking/chip handout was awful.  Skittles and a Crunch Bar in my bag?!?  WTF!!

I did the duathlon, so the start was fine for that but my husband said the same things you did about the swim.

Congrats on your AG 2nd...I took an AG 2nd in the Du.  My first podium finish!!

2008-10-16 2:32 PM
in reply to: #1743482

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Subject: RE: Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!
Sounds to me like this is more a "club" race, where expenses are low and mostly caters to the local community. I can definitely see why you guys are frustrated! Did they charge a "club" price?? I had been eying these for a while. Definitely appreciate your forth right feedback!!
2008-10-16 2:46 PM
in reply to: #1743482

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Lilburn
Subject: RE: Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!

We paid $75 each to participate.  They really play up the after race party at the Spinnaker.  My husband was sick after eating one of the burgers.  I had a small piece of grilled chicken and was fine...I couldn't stomach a giant burger and beer after the race.  I just wasn't feeling it.

Oh, and there are no size small t-shirts.  The medium I had to take swallows me.  No finishers medal and I picked up road trash in my back tire so I had a lovely flat when I returned from the last run (not their fault, but I was still aggravated).

I will probably do this race again, but only because my parents live in PC and it was fun for them to be able to come watch.  My expectations will be dramatically different next year though.

2008-10-16 4:39 PM
in reply to: #1743482

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Expert
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Wellington, Florida
Subject: RE: Emerald Coast Tri....DONT!!!!
Ya for $75 you would except more. Both is terms of packets and race.
Look at all Tri PTC does for $70? Swim bag, socks, water bottles, towles, Hammer Gels.
I did love the ocean swim, but it was scary thinking if anything happened , they only had one guy on the Jetski to cover it.
And what a slap in the face after. They announced the places and completely skipped me in 2nd. I had to go up on stage to explane/plead. Luckly 1st place, Wesley Williamson is a class guy and backed me up. Otherwise I would have never gotten the credit.
I would be shocked if I ever recieve my award after they ran out!?!?

Not planning on this one for next season for sure.
Luckly the wife and I did make it a weekend getaway and spent 3 days in the sun before and after relaxing.

FM
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