I'm doing the International Distance as an early season warm up. Nothing but rave reviews from those I talked to.

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Pete Githens
Reading, PA

Have never done the half but the international distance many times. Cannot recommend that enough. It should be a fast half. Bike is flat as anything. Run as well. But man, I think doing a half there would be really boring. No spectators, not too many participants. People seem to rave about the post race food. I find it ok.

LOL! In the world of triathlon (or any racing) the post race food only has to be slightly above average to be considered good.

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Pete Githens
Reading, PA

Seems like a few friends I have talked with have said this is a good event. Maybe I will give it a try.

I'll be there for the half in May. I havent done it before, but I have done the sprint a number of times. Friends of mine who have done the half say its a great course.

Its a very small race, and is well run. I have enjoyed it everytime I have done it (at least the sprint).

Great race, great people. Lots of grass in the pond last fall, not sure if the water was low or what. Stage road is crap, especially the third time around...grooves across the road every 30? ft...type of thing where you hover not sit. Otherwise, flat and fast and great road. Run is includes some trails which I personally like.

I did the spring half last year. It was my first half and from a directing point of view, I was under-impressed. I think the problem was that they were terribly under-staffed. Hopefully my experience was a fluke. They run a lot of different distance races together and I think that created a lot of confusion. The biggest issue with the half was the run course - it has lots of twists and turns that weren't well marked and not nearly enough direction. There were several post-race comments about how people got both off course and ended up doing a shortened course - some said they only ran 8 miles, which was kind of disappointing for those of us who ran the whole course. Post course food was non-existent for those racing the half - those doing the shorter races cleaned it out and nothing was restocked. I would expect they'll have a stronger team in place to support the race this year.

I was there as a cheering section in the fall (only 2 weeks out from IM LT, I wasnt in any shape to race again). Everyone was complaining about the long pond grass, was a bit comical. It was a fun race to watch. There was a pretty good stream of activity with all three races happening and sprinters finishing as the half starts, etc. I rarely like just spectating a race, but this was a fun one to watch.

I've done a number of the CityTri events and the Bassman half twice. I think they're good, no-frills races especially if you live locally. It ends up being a relatively low cost option if you can travel to the race from your house that morning. Expect small numbers and a mom and pop feel. I did have the experience (from back in 2009) of the run course having too few volunteers, being poorly marked, overly complicated with constant random turns, and a number of people going off course (I ran 2 extra miles that year). It's too bad that still happened last year. However, if you want an extremely flat course, this gives it to you.

I also agree that they run too many races on the day and it's very unorganized - probably because of the low number of volunteers. I've never done one of their races that actually started on time.

Anyway, I don't mean to be negative about these races as I've done a number of them and want to support a local race director/company. I'm sure what it takes to put on an event with permits, logistics, volunteer recruitment, etc is more complicated and time-consuming than I can imagine. Sounds like a thankless job. However, my only frustration is many of the issues athletes identify don't seem to get resolved year after year. Hopefully the issues of adequate course markings and some post race food for all participants will be fixed this year.

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

Anyone local to the race know the current lake temperature?

Thanks,

Bob

I'm racing XTERRA Jersey Devil this weekend, about 20 minutes up the road. I'll let you know how that lake is to give an idea but it's not gonna be warm.

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IG: idking90

Thanks and have a good race.

Grapevine - water temps in the pine barren lakes were around 55-58 last week - BRRRRRRR!!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/ETAOWS

We need some warmer weather to get the lake temps up!

Another Bassman question. I looked at the run course for the half on the website and it doesn't have a cuesheet. It shows the water stops and mileage at each stop but no directions. Is the actual run course well marked or at least good enough that there will be little/no confusion with the other distances? Thanks. Bob

I've done the Bassman half a few times and was always a bit worried about the run course, but never got lost. It's decently marked. I carried a water bottle as I thought some of the stations would run out of water, which they did.

The half run course is basically the International run course (5.1 miles), then run past transition onto the beach and into wooded area, out onto road. This is about a 3 mile loop. Then run the 5.1 mile course again.

Maybe this helps:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/387365915

That run looks confusing as hell! hopefully its not that hard to figure out. well marked??

I haven't swam outside yet...hoping the water gets warm. very doubtful tho.

That Garmin run link is great. Thanks for the post!

Friends and I are doing the Half relay - it will be a first for all of us! I'm going down this Saturday to ride the bike course. Have a great race!

Patti in NJ

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Patti in NJ

See if you can find out the water temp while you are there and let us know. :)

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Pete Githens
Reading, PA

Will do!

By the way, have you done the Ghouls and Fools run in October? That's what I think of when I see Reading, PA - an awesome fun race!

Patti in NJ

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Patti in NJ

relatively well marked, kind of. i have a turn-around named after me. 1 year it was rainy and very few volunteers and the first 5 guys off the bike all got lost along the run. citi-tri gave a bunch of very very friendly costs to register for the following year, and it was much more well marked. lots of good guys might show up and race, as it's well placed enough that both NYC and philly folks can come to it.

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@adamwfurlong

I have many friends that have done it but I am not even much of a trail runner in the daylight let alone in the dark. That race is a favorite among the local orthapedic specialists. LOL!

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Pete Githens
Reading, PA

I received the following information in an Email from CityTri in case you didn't see it:

Dear athlete,
We have updated the website and route maps for the Bassman Spring.
1. The bike course is slightly longer for the sprint and international events . Please take a look at the maps. The course will be clearly marked.
a- The original course was Stage Rd. /slight left onto Leektown/ left onto Hammonton Rd.
b- The new course is Stage Rd./Left onto Chatsworth/Right onto Leektown/Left onto Hammonton Rd.
c. International distance athletes do the same course the sprint athletes do for the first loop and then they do the Half distance loop for the second loop.
2. The waves for events have been modified as well.
Half Distance starts at 8:00 am
International starts at 8:30 am
Sprint starts at 9:00 am
Packet pick-up will end at 8:00 am.
Transition area will close at 8:15 am.
Please do not wait until the last minute to pick up your package. Packet pick up will be at the race venue on Saturday.
We have received several requests regarding transfers to another event. We have created a category in the registration form to transfer to the fall event. The fee is $50. and expires on Monday, april 28th. You may also mail in a check. Please email us in case you want to do so.
Please continue to check the website for updates.
George and Alejandra Reagan,
cell: 347-276-7523 reception is limited in Bass River.
Oh wait....water temperature! Over the past 10 years the coldest water temperature for Bassman was 57 degrees. Which only happened once. Every other time the water has been in the mid 60's. Please keep in mind that water temperature at Escape from Alcatraz is usually 57 degrees. Another local race with a similar water temperature is The Veterans Triathlon, water temperature is usually under 60.