General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant) Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-07-19 3:51 PM

User image

Regular
86
252525
Subject: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
I'll do my best to keep it short, but once again, in my opinion, KLM came up short today.

My biggest complaint was the lack of people/markings on the run course. I know people mentioned here that this was an issue last year, so I would have thought they would have fixed it, but no dice. I ended up making 2 wrong turns at the beginning of the run along with several others and ended up running about 2 miles extra. How can you have fork in the roads with no people directing traffic or at least a sign pointing which way to go?

Now I was using this as a training workout, so I don't really care about my time, but I know there were some 1st timers on the course who made the wrong turn and this is not the way to help grow the sport.

I know there are some people on here who won't do KLM races and I might need to add my name to the list.

Other issues that I won't rant on, but were disappointed in:

No one directing parking
Those wooden bike racks that do not do a good job holding up bikes, especially when people try to cram hybrids and mountain bikes into them.
No one at the bike short course turnaround or the sc run tournaround (besides the police officer who did not know what was going on, but that is not his job)
The run course was supposed to be 3.1 miles, but seemed further than .1 past the 3 mile mark (I did not bring my garmin, so I could not measure)
Swim seemed a tad longer than, but I'll be interested if anyone else thought that, I was not going all out, but my time was a lot slower than usual.






2009-07-21 7:35 PM
in reply to: #2294557

Boston
Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
I agree with you on all accounts.  I did the long course and one of the "signs" was "LC" spelled out in rocks.  Your run must have been longer as well.  Both the 6 and the 3 miles were at the same spot and we ended at the same place...you would have only needed .1 in distance while we needed .2 in distance (I too, didn't have my garmin so can't be for sure).  This was my second tri ever and I was frustrated...I thought the swim was long as well, but that may be me just looking for an excuse for my poor time. 

Maybe after two poor years they will get it together?? 
2009-07-22 9:46 AM
in reply to: #2294557

User image

Alpharetta, Georgia
Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
I did this race in 2007 with the same complaints.
My swim time averaged 2:27/100s, which placed me 3/11 in my age group for the swim. Think it was long???? I don't even think I could TRY to swim that slow successfully (no offense to slower swimmers. In a race I typically average 1:45s). Pretty disappointing. Same deal on the run course as well - not marked.

After the race in 2007 I spoke with the race director and voiced my complaints. His comments about the course markings were that "athletes are responsible to know the course." That tells you right there the attitude the organizers have and exactly why their races will disappear sooner rather than later.

2009-07-22 11:22 AM
in reply to: #2294557

User image

Member
42
25
Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
This was my first tri and my personal experience was pretty good although I can see where the complaints come in.  I did the course in practice so knew the turns but the beginning was not marked really at all and I almost made a wrong turn even though I supposedly knew the course!  The swim was long in my opinion.  Website said 500m, map said 600m, timing apparently used 564 yards or something???  I could be wrong there but that's what I remember.  My bike speed was also waaaaayyyyy off on the results which makes me question the whole thing. 

I still had fun but will be looking for other events in the future.  It's a real shame because all of the events close to me seem to be KLM. 
2009-07-22 12:39 PM
in reply to: #2294557

User image

Alpharetta, Georgia
Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
Well luckily there is a new race organization that is putting on races like The Kansas City Tri and Ultramax 50/Sprint - in addition to Ironman Kansas 70.3. These guys are top notch and after the KC Tri and IMKS, I will support their events ANY DAY.

2009-07-22 3:55 PM
in reply to: #2294557

User image

Member
42
25
Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
So the Ultramax and the HIM are put on by the same people?  I'd love to do the Ultramax one but it's looking like I'll be out of town that weekend.


2009-07-22 4:26 PM
in reply to: #2302374

User image

Alpharetta, Georgia
Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
mcfc57 - 2009-07-22 3:55 PM So the Ultramax and the HIM are put on by the same people?  I'd love to do the Ultramax one but it's looking like I'll be out of town that weekend.


I'm not sure of the exact relationship, but Sherpa Sports partners with both of those races and The Kasas City Tri for event management. Whatever the case, it's not KLM!

2009-07-23 9:24 PM
in reply to: #2302431

User image

Extreme Veteran
388
100100100252525
Overland Park, Kansas
Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
lisac957 - 2009-07-22 4:26 PM
mcfc57 - 2009-07-22 3:55 PM So the Ultramax and the HIM are put on by the same people?  I'd love to do the Ultramax one but it's looking like I'll be out of town that weekend.


I'm not sure of the exact relationship, but Sherpa Sports partners with both of those races and The Kasas City Tri for event management. Whatever the case, it's not KLM!



On KLM. I just did a (well got my 1st DNF) Half IM up in Door County Wisconsin last weekend, the Sprint was Saturday (1000 racers) and the HIM was Sunday (about 800 racers). Well marked courses and loads of volunteers. Several times two weeks before the TRI and the day after the TRI I emailed the RD and recieved a answer within 2 hours. This is not his only event either.

Before I wrote KLM events off starting in 2008, there were several times I emailed KLM with questions about a event one month before the event. Guess how long it took to get a response? Never got one!

Need I say more?

2009-08-07 9:38 PM
in reply to: #2294557

New user
3

Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)

Yeah, my dad and I did this one as well. KLM really doesn't know how to organize events. We talked to the director and he was furious that we questioned his organizational skills. I believe the swim was about 650 meters, but I thought the run seemed about right. There was a huge lack of race officials/volunteers.

Boycott anyone?

2009-08-07 9:44 PM
in reply to: #2335342

User image

Alpharetta, Georgia
Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
teentrigirl - 2009-08-07 9:38 PM

Boycott anyone?



Already done.

2009-08-07 10:13 PM
in reply to: #2335342

User image

Extreme Veteran
669
5001002525
Olathe, Kansas
Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
teentrigirl - 2009-08-07 9:38 PM

Yeah, my dad and I did this one as well. KLM really doesn't know how to organize events. We talked to the director and he was furious that we questioned his organizational skills. I believe the swim was about 650 meters, but I thought the run seemed about right. There was a huge lack of race officials/volunteers.

Boycott anyone?



I don't. I "just don't have any room in my race schedule for their races". But I don't boycott them. I just found races I am more interested in. How about putting it that way.


2009-08-11 3:51 PM
in reply to: #2294557


3

Subject: RE: Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant)
I did the Oly in 09 and emailed them to ask about where I can find the pix.
They never replied.
Does anybody know?
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Midwest Mayhem (yes another KLM rant) Rss Feed