Tri the Illini - Champaign

This looks good. I did my first Sprint in Naperville last week and am now addicted!  I'll be away for the Chicago tri so this might be the last one to fit in this year.
Do you know how many do they get at this event?

No clue.  My buddy did it last year as his first event and said it was well run.  It sounds like they are going to try and use the indoor and outdoor pools for this so it should make it go faster out of the water. 

I have done the April version of this race for the past 2 years. Very well run, especially considered it's mostly organized by undergrads with a full class schedule. Yes, both bike and run are very flat. Wind can be a factor on the bike as the course is mostly rural. The run goes all through campus on sidewalks so could be congested with non-racers (this was an issue in 2009, not in 2010). The swim deals with the same delay issues that any pool swim will have, but in a 50m pool it seems to be less of an issue once you get in the water. It can be just a long wait. Post-race is pretty standard, but you can use the locker rooms to shower up and change before the drive home, which to me is a huge plus. I would definitely recommend this race.

Awesome.  I'm not worried about congestion I'll be at the back of the pack just looking to finish.  The wind on the bike will probably be similar to my training rides.  Everything I ride is surrounded by farms and corn fields.  Being a couple hours from home having a shower will be nice so I can get lunch with my family before we head out.

I did the 2010 april version as my second ever tri.  i believe the septermber version has a longer bike leg.  hopefully they re-routed some of it to not include a stretch that had some very rough road conditions. 
regardless, as an alumnus it sure was 'fun' running through campus just thinking about the memories instead of thinking about my legs hurting.
yes, very flat.  
locker rooms are great and it is a LEED facility to boot.

I'm going to do this one. It's only my second. I did my first sprint over 2 years ago. Should be fun!
The congestion in the pool is the one thing that aggravates me. Just going to have fun with it.

I am planning on this one.  Did my first tri at Canton this August, but hoping to get in another before winter.  Never done the pool thing, so that will be different.  I also hope the wind slows down here in Central IL.  The past few days have been a beast!

Signed up yesterday.  I'm really looking forward to it, although the logistics are going to be difficult for me to just get there on time!

I'm heading down on that saturday and probably stay close to campus.  I am super nervous it will be my first tri.

Getting close to go time.  I am pretty nervous this being my first tri.

Good luck and you have nothing to worry about!!!! If you feel like you are struggling in the water, use the lane lines or rest at the side.

On the bike, slow on the turns as some are sharp.

Enjoy the run as it loops Univ. of Illinois quad.

I live in the Champaign area now...yet, not doing it??? Weird.

Tell us how it goes!