Chattanooga Waterfront Tri

I think the field is 1200. 

I don't know why the river wouldn't be fine to swim in.  I swam in a lake upstream this weekend.  No problem there (minus my left arm glowing from the nearby nuclear plant)

River will be fine (and warm).

Don't know the field limit, but if you're wanting to do it I'd recommend going ahead and getting registered now. 

A month out!

Besides what I've read in race reports, any other insights? The swim is with the current, the bike course looks tough, and the run is flat...what else?

Most importantly, what's family friendly about this race?

Thanks a million!

Transition area is right on the Riverfront.  Your family can either hang out there with the vendors etc, go to Stone Cold Creamery for ice cream while you're suffering the race (it's on the corner), visit the aquarium, or take a horse-carriage ride through town... 

Depending of course on your speed.  Since the swim start isn't a mass break, you may only have a 3hr total time and still not finish till pretty late.

The bike course is on Hwy 27.  It'll feel like you're on the interstate and yes, it's challenging.  Long hills.

I'm not sure you could call the run flat.  It's mostly flat.  Nothing in Chattanooga is completely flat.


(no, I haven't raced Waterfront, I'm just a Chattanoogan)

Hubby, myself and some folks from the Sports Factory are doing this one.  It gets good reviews..... We are bringing the enitre family and staying at some cheezy hotel called the Chattanooga Choo Choo (5 year old boy who loves trains nuf said)...I expect this one to be tough from the race reports and even tougher if its raining..We did a N.C. race a few weeks back called King of the Mountain and it KILLED us...So I expect Chat to be similar...Anyone can do a flat race, it takes a real triathlete to do a hilly one..

This is one of my favorites. A great race, period. Some folks don't like the bike portion being on a non-scenic highway and kind of boring, but I don't mind it. The swim and run legs make up for it.
And Chattanooga is just a great venue. My family makes a whole weekend out of it.

Alison, are you getting a special rate there? I might take my family there, too!

eh, booked a room there. be ready to bring it, ppl!

Edited by tri_d00d 2009-06-17 11:06 AM

We're a week out!
This'll be my first oly and I look forward to having a terrific race and setting a PR (hehe, it'll be a PR by default).

is there usually a BT tent there?
i read NAMC (bunch o race reports) usually has a strong showing...any NAMCers/BTers attending?

This should be fun and challenging.

I'll be there, and I'm feeling STRONG bro (relatively) so watch out!!

I'll be there coaching my TNTers and racing the aquabike.

thrash em BT and d00D!

The NAMC tent will be there- just listen for the cowbells! Also We will be hosting pre race dinner on saturday and I started a new thread with the details.

Looking forward to the fun this weekend!

I would just ask your hotel for a late check out. Most hotels will accommodate you if it is possible

I am not a fast racer at all, and I've comfortably been able to get back to my room and shower before leaving (and that was with two young kids in tow). But I like the suggestion of asking the front desk for a little extra time.

I'm sure that each hotel is different.  The Marriott right there at transition wasn't doing late check outs last year since most of the hotel was racers.  Luckily my family was staying there another night, so I bummed their shower.  A lot also depends on your start time.  I was in the back last year and was hoping to get up front this year with the age up, no dice.

Yeah - you can't be as far back as me!  I'm the last AG before relay teams.  Not real happy about it.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get everyone off and swimming.  I am hoping less than an hour????  It's gonna be HAWT on the run when I'm out there!

and i'm in the wave before yours...the run is going to be hot. just the way i like it!

holy schmoly!

1331 total participants!

Edited by tri_d00d 2009-07-08 9:19 AM

I'm pretty sure it's one racer every 3 seconds. So if my math is right, that's 100 racers every 5 minutes, making 1300 racers about 65 minutes.
Those to the back really have a disadvantage with the heat. More motivation to go faster.

I think I am in a middle swim start but I am so slow I will still be at the end of the runners....

I hope it rains! It made last years race quite a bit more bearable for me. Just be extra careful on the bike.

eh, if it rains, i'm looking at a slow ride...wet roads kill my confidence.

good luck