St. Anthony's Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 2)

Yikes... For Vinoy dollars you could probably stay at the Don Cesar, but you'll need a car. Both dems hotels is fancy stuff. The Don Cesar is directly on the beach on the Gulf across the county. I'm driving race morning from home which is more than twice as far, so really anyplace in Pinellas county is doable if you have a car. It would be very convenient to stay at The Vinoy though since it's on top of the race. I'm not surprised. It's probably sold out more than a year in advance.Jay

The Vinoy is so huge i'm amazed they are sold out.  I listened to an athete last year tell his buddy he spent $60 a night and he was right behind the expo, walking distance to eveything.  Im sure it wasnt the Vinoy calibre hotel, but with the extra savings you could get a(insert cool item here) and be happy. 

We stayed at the Don Cesar last year and it was a pain to drive on the morning of the race (definitely doable, but I'd rather sleep those extra minutes!), so I want to stay downtown and was hoping for the Vinoy to make it kind of a celebratory weekend for me and my husband. The Hampton Inn had rooms available and looks nice, so we've booked there.

The Vinoy never has room.   TNT buys up the whole place years in advance.  I don't even know why they post it.  Last time we stayed at one of the host hotels, but it was still 30 min away, which is not what I had in mind on race day.  On the recommendation of Sock from BT, I am staying at a B&B a block from the race.  I don't know if they have any rooms left, but it might be worth looking into.  It is not cheap.  I am paying $209/night, but I apparently have the most in-demand room since I am staying with my BF who is also racing.

http://www.larellehouse.com/index.html

I'm in, it was a great race last year, I got in before they shortened the swim, but left a good bit of time in the water, so I'm looking for a bit faster race, the wetsuit temp may be a close call, so it may go the other way on me. I was worried about parking last year, but it was a piece of cake.

One note to self: bring cheap flip flops for the long walk to the start line.

Any BOA associates in need of the comp code for this year, in case you haven't signed up yet?  Find me through the company directory and send me an internal email, Im the only s. czarnecki in florida. 4 left that I know of.

There is a Hampton Inn that is very triathlete friendly (had a bike wash area last year and they have no issue with bikes in the rooms).

http://www.stpetehamptonsuites.com/

Still expensive however at around $200 a night.  But withing walking distance.  Several pros stayed there last year.

Can also look in North St Pete (up where 275 comes across the bay.  It's only a 10-15 min drive and there is plenty of parking that early in the morning.  We did this a few years ago.

Two years ago we stayed at the Vinoy as I had to hustle to the airport immediately following the race - can't beat the convenience for sure. We got a room in March though, so probably picked up someone's cancellation. We usually VRBO a house within about mile or so away with a bunch of friends and just bike over on race day - will be doing the same this year.

Here's to a better swim conditions!

But you have to check in your bike the day before.  Lucky to get in at the Vinoy.   We are staying at a B&B a few blocks away.

oops, thanks drcherrybomb21 - that's right! meant to say we ride over the day before. Then one of our non-racing companions drives us over and dumps us on race day...

Hello all,

Signed up for this race, it's my first triathlon.  I'm wondering what to do about the bike, I suppose I could ship mine, but I was hoping to get some advice for a local rental.  It doesn't have to be a "tri" bike, in fact I'm using a mountain bike with road tires for training.  Can anyone suggest a place to rent a bike for the race?

Thanks!

chainwheeldrive.com  or outspokin.net

Both of these companies were sponsers last year and had lage tents in the expo area. You should be able to hook up with them and get a rental, check out their websites for more info.  Good luck, St. A's was a hoot last year(my first solo tri as well) you will be impressed or your money back, lol.

Edited by JohnnyDinx 2011-01-06 9:57 AM

Thanks for the info.  Chainwheel seems to be the  most convenient if anyone else is interested, they offered pick up and drop off right at the event.

Finally got registered! My son will be doing Meek & Mighty on Saturday. Expect to get there in Thursday. Staying at the beach. A bit of a drive on race day, but probably more fun for the rest of the family. 
I drove from Clearwater last year and it's not a big deal! No matter how much you pay in parking, I think is better than the high premium for a hotel close to the venue.
So exited here, St. Anthony has a very special energy, gotta love that race! Lets hope for good weather and good water conditions!!! Startin training plan (BT) TODAY!!!
Good luck to everyone! Hope to meet some of you BTers in St. Pete! 

I guess expecting a fast sell out was a bit optimistic, I hope it's as good as it's always been.

It didn't sell out fast last year and it was an outstanding event. I'm not sure if it sold out at all last year. I think the thing that remains to be seen this year is how the WTC 5i50 involvement changes anything. I'm predicting it's going to be an outstanding race.Jay

I'm in as well did the dual registration

My first time doing this race as well!  Driving over from Fort Lauderdale.  Heard alot of good things about this race.  Super excited!

Still have yet to get a hotel room, though.  

Hi all, this will be my 7th year of doing St. Anthony's and it is by far my favorite race that I look forward to every year!

We have for each year stayed at the Alden Beach Resort (a sponsoring location I think), which is St. Pete beach, but if you know how to work the parking race day, its not as bad as it may seem!

We have always made it a weekend trip, where we get there on Friday afternoon, hang on the beach, hit the Expo / Reg / Bike Drop off on Sat, and hit it early for race on Sunday, relax rest of day on the Beach, and head Home on Monday!

Anyway, hope to see some of you there, a few years ago a bunch of BT'rs got together and did run, ride, swim and all went out to eat dinner together . . it was fun!!

Happy Training.

How much of a pain is parking?  I live in Bradenton, just south of the Skyway Bridge, and plan on driving up to pick up my race packet and check in my bike on Saturday and then going back home and then driving back up Sunday for the race.  Even with gas at $4.00/gallon, it's got to be cheaper than getting a hotel.  

had no problem with parking last year, stayed in a hotel about 9 miles from the race.

Same here, I stayed in Clearwater and parking was a non-event. Might have to walk a few blocks (2 or 3).

I live in Brandon and had no problems last yr eaither.  I got there early and found a spot near The Pier, it was cheaper than the public lots around.  Shouldn't expect it to be much of a big deal.

G'luck, Race hard!

Parking isn't a problem in St. Pete.  Park on the side of the road in the neighborhoods, even if it's 5 blocks away, at 5am you'll have plenty of energy to walk to body marking.