Just wondering what other people's thoughts of the race. I race in the 25-29 age group and this was my first Chicago tri since i was in High School in 92. This is my first year back to sorta serious racing and have done several local level races as well and a Xterra Regional race. I have to say that the Chi tri was really a dissapointment. The race seemed really disorganized. I couldn't find a wave start list posted anywhere till i reached the start area. Only to find out my wave was the last to go, unlike any other race i have ever done over the years were you work though the age groups in order of youngest to oldest( Anyone else seen this before?) and had to wait over 3 hours to go. There really wasen't any water to be found and the portalets while plentiful pretty much were picked of TP, within and hour or two by the several thousand triathletes and fans sitting around for hours. The waves were only a couple mins apart. Those of us up front hit the back end of the previous wave only 150-200 yards into the swim. The run to the transistion was extremely long and on pavement the whole way, which was very unpleseant bearfoot, a carpet for even part of it would have been nice. The bike course was soo crowded i felt like i was in a Roadrace, and it looked like it from all the drafting. I didn't see a race official once on the bike course. With the long day of racing, the sprint race before the main one, the water and gatorade at the water stations was boiling. I was overheating in the 90 degree heat, and on the the vols and the water station asked if i wanted water dumped on me, i said yes expecting to get a nice cooling effect. It hit me and felt like a hot shower. Maybe I'm being over critical, and use to doing smaller races, but having done many larger races in my day, i would have to say this seemed like the most unorganized race i've ever done of any size.
Now i do have to compliment the people who voluntered, and the people of the city in general. All the people helping out were enthused and cheerful the whole day even though many of them had been outside all morning. People driving on Lake Shore would cheer you on as ya went by, even though they were stuck in a pretty massive traffic jam. The course is great, with views of the lake and downtown.
Anyone else have any feeling about it?
Now i do have to compliment the people who voluntered, and the people of the city in general. All the people helping out were enthused and cheerful the whole day even though many of them had been outside all morning. People driving on Lake Shore would cheer you on as ya went by, even though they were stuck in a pretty massive traffic jam. The course is great, with views of the lake and downtown.
Anyone else have any feeling about it?