This was the first time I did the Accenture Triathlon International Olympic Distance.
Constructive feedback to the race organizer: Continuing to keep putting on and boasting the “world’s largest triathlon” isSACRIFICING QUALITY AND SAFETY.
And from talking to people and reading race reports from the Accenture Triathlon, there were alot of bike crashes, and many people were disappointed with their triathlon race experience this past Sunday. Yes, the swim was a bit rough due to weather conditions, but here are reasons to decrease the number of particpants from 7,500 to 3,000.
1.Safety: Safety should be the # 1 concern and the masses of triathletes on the bike course compromises safety. As everyone would agree, the Bike course on Lake Shore Drive was very congested and crowded with both the Sprint and Olympic distance triathletes. The utter congestion and the turnarounds which were narrow made it dangerous and unsafe for all particpants. There were alot of crashes.
2.Long Wait to Start: Depending on what time your wave started, you could wait up to 3-4 hours just to start the swim. This has and will continue to turn off people from doing this triathlon.
3. Crowded Transition Area: The transition area was on a grassy hill and it was so crowded. 7,500 people + 7,500 bikes + 7,500 tri gear = too many people and equipment in one area. Need I say more.
4. Narrow Run Path: The run course cannot accomodate everyone. If you want to pass people, plan on running on the shoulder.
I could go on further, but you get the picture.
It is evident that the Accenture Triathlon is just a Cash Cow whose quality is diminishing. Instead of thinking of being the biggest, why not try to be the best ?
I would have to agree with you, Oly tri is too crowded and dangerous. Next year try the accenture sprint distance tri, its much better, not nearly as crowded, and you start and finish earlier!
I’m not defending the organization or some things that they should change like having a mat on the path from the swim exit to the transition area. However, the only thing that I can say, since I have never participated as I always volunteer or work the booth of a sponsor is that the Chicago Triathlon is not the event to expect a PB or any elbow room. The Chicago Triathlon is an entertainment event.
People love doing the race because of the chance to visit and race in Chicago. Lot’s of people like the expo and carnival like atmosphere. There are a LOT of newbies that participate. The event is the only one that many persons do and sometimes the only one they will ever do. And yes, it is a crowded race.
You want a PB, non-crowded conditions, or a relaxed atmosphere. Then honestly, a small town low number of participant event is where it’s at. Those are the kind that I like and that is why I will never race in the Chicago Triathlon although I think it’s an excellent entertainment event.
I agree. i was in the 44th wave of 49. What a mess. Got pushed outside of the cones into traffic twice because people did not follow the rules to stay to the left. plus they were riding 5 and 6 across the road. then someone would swing to the right to pass wihtout looking back, next thing i know it is either crash into this person or hope like hell no traffic is coming. i was lucky, others were not.
i had to stop and walk twice during the run, no where to go, had no choice.
I went 2:16 this year, 10 minutes slower than i should of gone. the swim was tough but manageable, my first T took 3:20 because i was stuck behind people walking, actually had to go under the rack then back under again to get past a couple guys. the bike was scary and a pain in the ass… never shouted STAY TO YOUR LEFT more in my life. but the run was the worse, if i was not zig zaggin thru traffic i was forced to slow up or stop.
add to the fact that i went off at 9:30 and had to be out of the transition area by 6:15… crappy day all together.
Every time I did this race after it became the “world’s largest,” I hated it and vowed never to do it again. After a year or two, I would forget, go back, and hate it all over again. It’s not just a matter of not being able to get a PB, the race is unsafe because it is so crowded. The last time I tried it, I was in the next to last wave. Lake Shore Drive was a mess, with cyclists weaving all over the road, riding everything from Wal-Mart bikes and up, and with some riders going fast and others crawling along. The organizers need to give up on increasing the size for bragging rights and just put on a quality event.
I’ve never done this race (for the reasons listed), but my view is we need more gigantic races like this. Give up trying to compete at this race and let the TNT type charities, and the “I just want to finish” people have an event. I’m not joking, look at it like a charity century bike ride vs a USA cycling road race. What we need is some kind of title to convey a race vs a mass participation event.
All of those reasons (and the $110 entry) are why
I will never do this race.
I did a fantastic Oly Distnce 1 week prior to
Chicago in Three Rivers, MI (probably the
'“World’s Smallest” (the Oly dist had about 140 ppl)).
it was $45. (included acool sleeveless technical fabric
cycling jersey too)
I had a blast.
I was done before half the people in Chicago even started.
there was tons of post race goodies.
there were no crowds.
I could go on and on…but I won’t.
As long as people keep signing up for Chicago,
they’ll keep having it. I believe in the Free Market.
I agree with the earlier reply that said this is the
ONLY race that many folks do. For many of them - that
is why they train and what they look forward to.
Not me.
Just my $.02
DHB (did I mention I HATE white short-sleeved
race T-Shirts ???)
$110 for that ? (No thanks).
I have done the past three years and this was my last. For all the reasons you sited plus some other personal reasons. Every year for the past three that I have done the race, Capri events has received the same feedback from people doing the race. 5K plus people in such a small area leads to a dangerous situation. The don’t care or wont care until someone sues the crap out of them for negligence for something and then the race will go the way of the dinosaurs.
I’ll go ahead and be the dissenting opinion here. I didn’t do the race this year, and apparently there were a lot of problems, but I have done this race for the past few years, both at the sprint and olympic distance. I came to the race expecting a lot of people, and that’s what I got. I never felt unsafe, or too crowded. I’ve been as early as the first few sprint waves, and as late as the later Olympic waves and that’s just what goes along with the biggest race in the world. The race draws a ton of newbies and shows off Chicago and all the sponsors in the biggest expo I’ve ever seen. The volunteers and staff have always been helpful and friendly. In all, my Mrs. T’s/Accenture experiences have been pretty good. Like I said, I didn’t race this year so maybe they screwed this one up, but they’ve done great with a big race in the past.
Completely agree. Bad vibes from the start - - the lengthy check-in line at the Hilton on Saturday. I don’t have many races as a basis for judging - but I was certainly not impressed. Dodging and weaving way to much in all disciplines. I even saw a guy in an wreck laying in the SB Lakeshore Drive traffic lane - I don’t know if he was hit by a car or not but he wasn’t moving and an ambulance was called. I had my worst performance ever (20 mins) and looked so bad at the finish I got a personal escort to finish line medical tent w/o asking and pretty much against my will (it might have been the bloody loogie I spit up after just crossing the finish line).
I must say though - the most impressive thing was the bike mechanic’s tent from Village Cycle. I woke up at 4am to find my front tubbie flat (thanks LBS). I almost bagged the whole deal but decided to go to the mechanic’s tent anyway. The younger guy there did not even flinch at my question as to whether he could glue a new one on for me. He just asked the other guy there if he had any tire glue (I had a replacement tubbie) and went at it. THANKS SO MUCH!! My wave did not go off until 9:30 so it had some time to set.
I saw some pretty weird things at the tent b/c I had my pump with me. I let a lot of people use it to inflate, but not many even knew how to use a pump and the different kind of valves - some even on expensive bikes. Very funny - - and I thought I was a newbie.