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When is THE BIG RACE too big?
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 2007-09-16 7:36 PM |
Veteran 353   41° 4' 36" N 71° 56' 10" W |  Subject: When is THE BIG RACE too big?Just wondering what thoughts are out there on the size of some events. Did a tri this weekend. Nice course, basically very well run, but... at over 1,000 people these things can have a downside. I got there well over an hour b4 the race - as instructed in the race literature, only to wait at least 15 minutes just to then be routed to a remote lot. There were so many cars. I spent another 25 minutes just waiting to use a porta potty. I didnt even bother getting my body marked - that would have been anouther 15 minutes minimum. The swim was ok, but the clallenge was less about swimming and more about trying to naviagte around swimmers, including those from the previous waves - near the end of the swim it was basically a mess of people wearing at least 4 different colored caps. Your thoughts? Edited by JohnP_NY 2007-09-16 7:37 PM |
| 2007-09-16 7:40 PM in reply to: #966936 |
Iron Donkey 38643    , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? JohnP_NY - 2007-09-16 7:36 PM Just wondering what thoughts are out there on the size of some events. Did a tri this weekend. Nice course, basically very well run, but... at over 1,000 people these things can have a downside. I got there well over an hour b4 the race - as instructed in the race literature, only to wait at least 15 minutes just to then be routed to a remote lot. There were so many cars. I spent another 25 minutes just waiting to use a porta potty. I didnt even bother getting my body marked - that would have been anouther 15 minutes minimum. The swim was ok, but the clallenge was less about swimming and more about trying to naviagte around swimmers, including those from the previous waves - near the end of the swim it was basically a mess of people wearing at least 4 different colored caps. Your thoughts? It comes with the territory. Possibly they didn't get enough volunteers, too, to assist. I suppose there wasn't a way for you to be in a different wave?
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| 2007-09-16 7:47 PM in reply to: #966941 |
| Veteran 353 41° 4' 36" N 71° 56' 10" W | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? Only other way to change my wave would be to lose 20 yrs off my Driv Lic or try to elite. I am somewhat new to tris and don't know how elit is decided. (sep topic, besides I might be doin ok for swim and bike parts but my run time aint elite!) But, I have been in smaller tri's and in later waves where this was not an issue. |
| 2007-09-16 8:15 PM in reply to: #966936 |
| Veteran 451 | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? |
| 2007-09-16 8:22 PM in reply to: #966936 |
Champion 10668 Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? I start getting frustrated with an event after it gets over about 300 -- the old guys like me are in about the 5th wave, and we end up doing the body-slalom in the last half of the swim, and then you have NO idea where you are relative to your competition... So the race I did yesterday was capped off at 200 (the park makes that call), and the RD had the 40+ men in the first wave. PERFECT! |
| 2007-09-16 11:30 PM in reply to: #966936 |
Extreme Veteran 462 Brisbane QLD | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? Most of the tri's I'm in are almost 1000 people, (I'm usually numbered in the 840 -850s because my surname starts with S but the waves are staggered so well! 6:30 am Kids - Boys then girls (Because their course is so short, The first wave of boys are finished well before the girls even start!) Short Course / mini sprint - Over 35s, 14-16 then 16-34. Women first, Men second... Long Course/ Sprint distance - Women First, Men Second. Athenas or clydesdales then age categories oldest to youngest. Sprint Teams - Women first, Men Second... If you're doing the long course you mightn't be in the water until 8am!
HOWEVER... We ALWAYS have to queue for the loos, porta or public. Lets face it, We're all trying to get out of our ONE PIECE TRI-SUITS to use the loos! That take a lot of time. I feel sorry for the folks who wear wetsuits too! We always have to queue into transition because every helmet and bike is given the once over. That's a fact. You deal with it. This is how I deal with it! Stop at the nearest Service station to the TRI location use it. Take your own loo paper to be on the safeside if you need to use the loos on site. Dunno how many times I've used those things and the toilet paper's run out! Make sure you have your helmet done up BEFORE you queue in transition... These things will make the queue that much more bearable for the people in line behind you. But these are things that happen because of the amount of people trying to get in and out of a place anyway. There's never been a an instance where I'm waiting for people to get out of the canal for me to get out after them. |
| 2007-09-17 8:52 AM in reply to: #966936 |
Champion 15211 Southern Chicago Suburbs, IL | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? JohnP_NY - 2007-09-16 7:36 PM Just wondering what thoughts are out there on the size of some events. Did a tri this weekend. Nice course, basically very well run, but... at over 1,000 people these things can have a downside. I got there well over an hour b4 the race - as instructed in the race literature, only to wait at least 15 minutes just to then be routed to a remote lot. There were so many cars. I spent another 25 minutes just waiting to use a porta potty. I didnt even bother getting my body marked - that would have been anouther 15 minutes minimum. The swim was ok, but the clallenge was less about swimming and more about trying to naviagte around swimmers, including those from the previous waves - near the end of the swim it was basically a mess of people wearing at least 4 different colored caps. Your thoughts? Let's see. Couple of things.
Those are my 2 cents. |
| 2007-09-17 9:19 AM in reply to: #966936 |
Veteran 437 | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? A few thoughts: #1 Agree with above . . . it is on the racer to adjust based on logistics. Regardless of what they say, you should arrive earlier when there are 1000 racers than 250. It is best to know where parking will be, what all needs to happen when you get there, etc. #2 People are different. Some hate large events (participant #) and some probably like them, or at least do not mind them. It is all give in take really. If you want to race in a cool urban environment like Chicago, you are going to do it with a lot of people. If you want high end swag and top amenities you are going to do it with a lot of people. If you want small numbers, you are probably going to do more rural events with lessor amenities. I am new to Tris (3 sprints this summer) but have been running races for a while. This is the same with 5k-marathons. There are marathons where you can show up 30 minutes before start and find close parking, etc . . . but they are generally in BFE. You want a very scenic urban marathon like Minneapolis? You are running with 10k people AND it sells out in less than a month. The Indy Mini where I live is considered a top 13.1 based on amenities. You get to run with 35k other folks. I always get a great parking spot for this race. But I am downtown by 4:30am I prefer to race with less people, but I am drawn to 'events' so I guess I deal with it. that said, I have not done a tri with 5000 people yet.  |
| 2007-09-17 9:21 AM in reply to: #966936 |
Member 1699 | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? Chicago was enormous, but it is very well run. I call it a triathlon factory because they go through waves so efficiently. There is plenty of parking downtown and plenty of volunteers. Yes, you have to get there ridiculously early, but I have found that to be the case for all of the races I have done. |
| 2007-09-17 11:06 AM in reply to: #966936 |
Veteran 325 | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? I hate big races and gererally try to avoid them. Give me 500 or less participants and I'm perfectly happy. |
| 2007-09-17 11:30 AM in reply to: #966936 |
Master 2202 St. Louis | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? I think bigger is good and bad. I love the spectators events like Chicago Accenture draw, but waking up at 4am to get to transition, and then not rqacing until 9:33 SUCKS. Either way.. I like big events. I think the crowd is worth it. |
| 2007-09-17 11:36 AM in reply to: #966936 |
Elite 3235 San Diego | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? You can race with me in a few weeks. I think there are only 18 of us. Or you can race with Gina, there are only 8 of them |
| 2007-09-17 11:37 AM in reply to: #966936 |
Alpharetta, Georgia Bronze member | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? I'd suggest arriving earlier next time to avoid the stress. Only an hour is not a whole lot of time, even for a small race. I generally arrive as soon as transition opens, which is sometimes 2.5 hours before my heat begins. You could also use these forums (the regional/state ones) to ask about race venues, parking, etc. before your next one. |
| 2007-09-17 1:18 PM in reply to: #967648 |
Expert 1207 Liberty Lake, WA | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? madcow - 2007-09-17 8:36 AM You can race with me in a few weeks. I think there are only 18 of us. Or you can race with Gina, there are only 8 of them No thanks. I think that I'll stick to the shorter Ironman races. (At least for a little while longer) |
| 2007-09-17 4:01 PM in reply to: #966936 |
Veteran 437 | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? Agreed on 1 hour is short no matter what. I too arrive essentially as early as they open, but that is just me. I am never late for anything and usually early for everything. To me it is well worth getting up at 4 or 5 to be early and relaxed than late and stressed - but not everyone gets stressed when running late. I do. I love leaving in the dark for a race . . . being early and seeing things setup, etc. It just is part of the overall event for me. Many of my fondest memories for running races center around being there early. I love getting downtown Indy when it is still very dark and the volunteers are just showing up for the May 13.1. I park in the same area, go to the same hotel lobby to read a paper and relax, etc. In Detroit I have a friend drive me down in total darkness and we hit the same starbucks on Jefferson Ave on the way in each year. This summer for Tri's I was able to see the sun rise, see the still and calm of the water at that hour, etc. Ok . . . enough fond memories. Sorry. |
| 2007-09-17 6:31 PM in reply to: #966936 |
Elite 3371 | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? The only trouble I have with "oversized" triathlons if naturally in the swim. Too many bodies, getting kicked, kicking others, hard to breathe / see at time, ect... I've found that swimming further outside of the course helps tremendously. Sure it adds a few extra meters, but the energy saved from not battling everyone else is wel worth it! |
| 2007-09-17 6:53 PM in reply to: #966936 |
| Sydney Australia | Subject: |
| 2007-09-17 7:18 PM in reply to: #966936 |
Master 2406 Bellevue, WA | Subject: RE: When is THE BIG RACE too big? Big becomes "too big" when the event outgrows the ability, experience, and logistics of the race organizers. My experience has been great with small events and large events, and so-so with mid-size (300-500 person) events. Too small of transitions zones, not enough porta potties, roads too small for the number of cyclists, not enough guides on course, running out of food and drink at the aid stations - that's what I've seen when a small local event suddenly has double the number of participants the next year. The organizers are simply overwhelmed. I find I prefer the large scale events. I like spectacle and excitement of thousands of competitors. I feel really part of something. NA Sports' Ironmans are my favorite. Deep water start with helicopters overhead, the cannon goes off, and 2000 of us are churning away in the lake. Fantastic support all day long, camera crews on motorcycles with the race leaders. There's nothing like it. BTW - I saw myself on the VS TV coverage of IMAZ07 yesterday. It was a telephoto shot of a number of riders, and I'm on screen for about 5 seconds cycling along. My wife and daughters are shown on screen briefly in the DVD coverage of IMAZ06. That sort of thing makes the big events fun for me. |
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