Has anyone heard of the Bigfoot Triathlon? It’s just outside of Vancouver about three weeks before IMCDA. I’m doing my first IM distance race there and am concerned that no one has ever heard of it? Anything is helpful. The website isn’t going to updated until the end of the month, and I need info.
HELP!!
Jason
I thought Bigfoot was in August? Run by the same person who does the MYFirst series and the recent Gulfman in Galveston Texas.
August 7, actually. Sorry about the date mix-up. Have you heard anything about the race? There are other races put on in conjunction with bigfoot. I know there is a 1/2im the same day, and the organizers also put on the “My First Triathlon.” I was hoping to find out if anyone can comment on the race support. Is this a well run event? Any beta at all???
Jason
I understand (from friends who have participated) that this is not a well-organized race. The field is very small, from what I hear there is no traffic control at all, and minimal on-course support. The bike course is rather flat but carries a lot of traffic.
My strong advice is to go for the Grand Columbian instead (assuming you are in the WA area).
Hey Jason
I’m guessing you’re referring to the race at Harrison.
Check out the Comments Page (scroll to the bottom of the page for comments made Nov/03) at http://www.tribc.org/main.htm I think I can recall reading similar comments in past years as well.
Not sure how this would fit in to your plans (ie: similar date and area) but what about the Grand Columbian?http://www.thegrandcolumbian.com/
Good luck,
Bill
Jason,
I seem to recall that they had some problems last year with the local municipalities and there were rumours of a late cancellation if they couldn’t come to terms. I believe the race went ahead but as a competitor it would certainly make me a bit edgy. Please note that this is only heresay as I did not do the race but was following it because my wife was interested in the shorter race and I was considering the 1/2. I know the field is very small and the area is beautiful. Let us know how it turns out. You might want to look at the Columbian iron distance race if you want a non-IMNA event on a bit smaller scale (grand coulee tri).
good luck,
robert
Thank you all for the information.
I just did Ralph’s as my first 1/2 im and am doing Wildflower next week. It appears that I am going from two of the largest races to one of the smallest. Support is important to me, as is safety (several dangerous incidents with cars and Vans in the last year). I met the RD for the Grand Columbian last year at Wildflower. Nice guy - cares a lot about people’s perception of the race.
Unfortunately, I am also going up there for a wedding and had hoped to participate in Bigfoot on Sunday the 7th and then mozy on down to Portland for a wedding on the following Friday. Flights up there are pretty pricey from Las Vegas. Maybe I should do the 1/2 and find an end of year race to do?
Thanks,
Jason
Based on my experience at the same RD’s My First Tri/My Next Tri race here (Lake Chelan, WA), go elsewhere! They charged $100 (not uncommon these days, I will admit) for a race billed as an entry to triathlon. And what did you get for the $100? Not much. No closed roads, with only 2 volunteer staffed intersection, no swim support as it followed the shoreline of a city park, 1 aid station on the run (5K), gatorade, bananas and a generic finishers medal. I figure that they pocketed at least $80 for every entrant. To top it off, they ran races 5 times over 1 week/2 weekends at the same venue. Ca-ching! Ca-ching!
Needless to say, the experience most likely turned off more first timers than encouraged them to pursue other “real” triathlons for the same entry fee.
The My Next Tri racers got the same treatment - no awards and same lousy support.
I have been racing on a regular basis for almost 20 years and, although many others had some problems, this RD is at the bottom of my list.
“It is never too late to fix your childhood!” Tom Robbins
If you live in Vegas why not do Silverman in Vegas on November 13th?
Brent,
I’ve been looking at previous threads about Bigfoot. I wish I’d seen these before I signed up. That may have had a big impact on my racing season. I ask myself if I really need that much support during a race. I usually carry my own replenisher and will probably only need to refill bottles once or twice on the bike. I figure I’ll carry a water bottle with me on the run and take replenisher in a little bum pack. The big concerns are sharing the roads (the Lougheed HY is extremely busy) and the fat that I have not seen a positive review of the race anywhere. I am one of those age groupers who will never win and probably not place very high, but the sport has really become a passion. It makes me very nervous to see not a single positive comment on the race or the race director. Under normal circumstances, at this point I’d say, at least the medal will be cool, but previous posters couldn’t even say that.
As far as Silverman is concerned - I am a full-fledged volunteer. The man putting on the Silverman is my coach for im training and Master’s Swim. He cares a lot about the sport and has put on some really great races recently. The course is challenging, but for someone who wants to complete the distance and didn’t get into Flordia, this is a great way to end the year. There’s a pretty good chance that anyone who come out to see the race will see me at some point. I’ll most likely be helping set the course up, checking in bikes for T1 the days before the race, in my kayak the morning of the race, and then I’m sure I’ll find myself in three or four other places througout the day. I don’t mind. If I choose not to participate in a race, I’ll almost always volunteer to help out with it.
Thanks everyone,
Jason
The same RD put on Gulfman, a 1st time 1/2 IM in Texas a few weeks ago. My best friend raced there and did not have good things to say.
Either did these folks:
http://www.runnertriathletenews.com/messageboard/messages/670.html
7 pages and almost all of it bad 