sinkinswimmer wrote:
thirstygreek wrote:
Not sure if you personally have an axe to grind with WTC competition but I will vouch for CAC (Half). It was a 1st class triathlon, from bib PU to the actual race to the great finish line setup. Maybe the site needs more attention but coming from the people who did the event I think it is largely positive feedback. I will be back 100% for sure. I actually earned myself a free room at Ballys for next year :)
Well, almost 600 did the full last year. 150 did it this year. Your right...that is GREAT positive feedback. Races that are so well run almost always see a 75 percent drop in participation.
My point, though, is that if Challenge wants people like me to try their events, they should do just that wee little bit to get me interested. I think rather than looking at it as an axe, it would be taken as constructive criticism. Since that word of mouth thing does not seem to be working for them, perhaps making the whole thing look first class would help.
I DNF's the full last year and finished the Half this year. In order for this race and all other US Challenge races to be successful, they need honest feedback from anyone that is willing to provided it. The race director requests if from all participants via surveys, Facebook, Twitter, etc. He certainly is on Slowtwich reading this thread. I enjoyed the race on Sunday, but there are definitely some issues that need to be addressed right away...I haven't even looked at their website so many of your comments could be spot on and should be fixed. In as much as many people base WTC and Ironman branded races, their races are extremely well organized (my only gripe is the cost of their races).
There should be no reason that Challenge AC doesn't draw 1,000+ participants considering its location, but in order to do that it has to get the little things right (e.g. website, course length, etc.) and then market the hell out of it.
Jamie