Blue Water triathlon - 11/09

Found them at http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/directory/link-detail.asp?linkid=7623.   From the existing race link there isn't any previous race reports listed. 

Todd

I wasn't on BT when I did Blue Water in 06 (sprint), so no race report from me.

Here's the highlights:

The Colorado is very cold on this stretch because it's fed from the bottom of the dam, bring a wet suit.

The bike course has some rolling hills, but nothing hardcore.  One negative is that a good portion of the bike course is on the shoulder of a fairly busy highway that isn't shut down to traffic. (applies more to the long course although a small portion of the sprint also follows the highway)

The run has a few moderate hills, but again nothing major.

The best part about the race is staying at the resort and being able to roll right out of your room to the transition area which is literally right outside the hotel.  As far as I could tell, the rest of Parker doesn't have much to offer, I definitely recommend staying at the resort.

The race is well organized and fairly low key.  They didn't have timing chips the year I did it, although they did do a decent job recording and posting split times even without chips.  Also it's by far the most family friendly race venue I've been to because of all of the alternate activities available on site (ie casino, pool, water slide, etc.)

I've done the long course the last 2 years.  The swim is cool and fast.  You swim across the river, then turn and swim with the current, then turn left again and back across the river.  The 33 mile bike is a tough ride.  The run is OK and can get HOT.

 The Casino always sells out of rooms a few months in advance.

 I'll be doing the short course this year as I'm racing in Kingman on Saturday, and then Blue Water on Sunday.  Its a 2 race weekend for me!!  I'll be coming into Parker on Saturday after the race and leaving on Monday after I spend 2 days playing poker at the casino.