Ask Me Anything: The New HERBALIFE24 TRIATHLON OF LOS ANGELES

Triathlon Forum
1

Hey Y’all,

On Sunday, June 2nd the Herbalife24 Triathlon of Los Angeles will kick off for the first time. The race has some unique qualities, I wanted to list some of those here and answer any questions that might pop up about this race.

Race Website is HERE

There are several events happening on the same day as so often is the norm now-a-days:
International distance triathlon: individual, relay, youth (11-17)Sprint* distance triathlon: individual, relay, youth (11-17)International aquabike5k run/walkThere’s a “recreational wave” after the age group racers that allow friends and fam to cover LA together for fun. *Asterisks by the sprint because the bike is 22k rather than anticipated 20k. Swim is what you’d expect at 750m and run at 5k.

One of the things we have to celebrate is the fact there this race offers a non-draft pro purse. It’s so rare in our sport today. The money exists in pro long course (typically M-dot branded) and in draft legal (ITU) but the days of Lifetime, Hyvee, Bally Total Fitness, Bud Lite - even the most recent loss of the Escape series has left very few short course, non-draft opportunities.

A unique aspect of this race for all of us is the course itself. Is so rare to tear across the city of Los Angeles on closed roads from the Venice Pier to Downtown - it’s a fun way to see the city.

The swim is the swim - it’s an ocean swim, some times there’s surf, sometimes it’s flat. It’s not possible to predict it.
T1’s in a beach parking lot where Venice Blvd hits the sand. it’s ~600m N of Venice Pier and 2.5mi S of Santa Monica Pier

The Bike course - is flatish but not FLAT, in fact there are some rollers from mile 19.5 to 23.5 that are legit. The last mile is downhill which should make it nice to spin legs out before T2. Here’s a map of the bike route with some topo: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29568963

T2 will have a bike valet (nice!)
I’m under the impression that the Run course is two loops of this 5k out and back http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7355176 but that’s still being finalized.

If you’ve got questions I’ve prolly got answer or, at least, a direct line to the answer - as away

Ian

2

Since it’s sponsored by Herbalife, is the course a pyramid?
.

3

Intrigued by the pro purse for an Olympic but couldn’t find any more information on the website. Can you point me to the correct spot or give more details regarding $, field size limits?

Thanks!

4

Since it’s sponsored by Herbalife, is the course a pyramid?

Lol!!!

5

Sounds pretty great - maybe a tad pricey. But that’s probably the cost of doing business in L.A. and not having a multiloop bike course. Come to think of it, I would easily pay the extra $50 to not have to do 2+ loops of the same course.

I don’t think I can swing the timing of it this year, but will keep an eye out for it in 2020.

I look forward to the race reports.

6

Intrigued by the pro purse for an Olympic but couldn’t find any more information on the website. Can you point me to the correct spot or give more details regarding $, field size limits?

Benjamin, $23k purse split equally between men and women, pro slots are limited but I’m not sure how yet, pays 5 deep as such:
1st $5,000
2nd $3,500
3rd $2,000
4th $750
5th $250

Ian

7

Wow. Good stuff. I’ve got Eagleman 70.3 the weekend after but its tempting to find a way there.

8

Olympic and Sprint distance for youth (11-17)??? Or do you have different more appropriate distances?

9

Olympic and Sprint distance for youth (11-17)??? Or do you have different more appropriate distances?

Diabolo,

The point to point course sort of paints the organizers into a corner on the distances. I’m with you about 11-15 year olds doing the international distance - that’s not what I would recommend.

Ian

10

Ian I am very excited to be a part of this inaugural event here in Southern California! So happy Herbalife has brought this tri back!

11

I’m LA based this summer and looking forward to this event. A little bit of sticker shock on the price upfront, but can’t imagine the permits for this event are cheap and I’m glad to support an event offering a pro division and prize purse.

12

Mike,

I’m so glad you’re involved!!

Hope the book sales are going well. Congratulations on that.

Ian

13

even though it’s pricey, you should do it!!!

What’s going on in LA?

I’m LA based this summer and looking forward to this event. A little bit of sticker shock on the price upfront, but can’t imagine the permits for this event are cheap and I’m glad to support an event offering a pro division and prize purse.

14

cant wait for this!
I have a friend who is going to fly in and do the sprint, he wants to rent a bike are there any options for him that are connected with the race or can you recommend a local shop to rent?

15

I’m registered for LA Tri and Legacy Triathlon. Hoping to add in a few more local races, but we’ll see how the summer pans out.

I’m out in LA for a summer internship in the El Segundo. Lots of aerospace industry companies in the area.

16

It will be a riot :wink:

I can’t be easy that they will close Venice Blvd and part of Olympic all the way downtown. I used to live in West LA, and I can tell you Olympic is not flat, and the last bit of look in downtown has some very steep short sections.

17

It sounds like a great race, it’s just too bad it’s the same weekend as the Orange County Tri. Wish the organizers could have found another weekend do hold the race. (I do understand there are limited weekends that work for the city) With triathlon events fighting to stay alive because of dwindling participation, I wish events would work together to hold events on different weekends instead of competing against one another. I would happily do both if they weren’t on the same day.

18

200 dollars for a SPRINT?

I mean, I know its LA, but sheesh.

I just can’t comprehend spending that for an hour of racing.

Good luck. It does look like a fun-ish course.

Hey Y’all,

On Sunday, June 2nd the Herbalife24 Triathlon of Los Angeles will kick off for the first time. The race has some unique qualities, I wanted to list some of those here and answer any questions that might pop up about this race.

Race Website is HERE

There are several events happening on the same day as so often is the norm now-a-days:
International distance triathlon: individual, relay, youth (11-17)Sprint* distance triathlon: individual, relay, youth (11-17)International aquabike5k run/walkThere’s a “recreational wave” after the age group racers that allow friends and fam to cover LA together for fun. *Asterisks by the sprint because the bike is 22k rather than anticipated 20k. Swim is what you’d expect at 750m and run at 5k.

One of the things we have to celebrate is the fact there this race offers a non-draft pro purse. It’s so rare in our sport today. The money exists in pro long course (typically M-dot branded) and in draft legal (ITU) but the days of Lifetime, Hyvee, Bally Total Fitness, Bud Lite - even the most recent loss of the Escape series has left very few short course, non-draft opportunities.

A unique aspect of this race for all of us is the course itself. Is so rare to tear across the city of Los Angeles on closed roads from the Venice Pier to Downtown - it’s a fun way to see the city.

The swim is the swim - it’s an ocean swim, some times there’s surf, sometimes it’s flat. It’s not possible to predict it.
T1’s in a beach parking lot where Venice Blvd hits the sand. it’s ~600m N of Venice Pier and 2.5mi S of Santa Monica Pier

The Bike course - is flatish but not FLAT, in fact there are some rollers from mile 19.5 to 23.5 that are legit. The last mile is downhill which should make it nice to spin legs out before T2. Here’s a map of the bike route with some topo: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29568963

T2 will have a bike valet (nice!)
I’m under the impression that the Run course is two loops of this 5k out and back http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7355176 but that’s still being finalized.

If you’ve got questions I’ve prolly got answer or, at least, a direct line to the answer - as away

Ian

19

Any chance of y’all doing a discount for collegiate triathletes? I’ve talked to a lot of members of the WCCTC who’d love to do it, but find the cost prohibitive.

20

Hello all,
I have a 10% discount code to share for the H24 Triathlon of Los Angeles

code: 6U3F

I did this race when it was point to point several years ago, and it is definitely a great course.

full disclosure…that’s me in the red, white and blue kit in the ad on the right (assuming it’s still there when you see this post)