Has a registration option ‘new to triathlon/70.3 distance’ in addition to ‘general registration’.
What is the purpose of this? I haven’t done a 70.3 before, but have done shorter distances. If I select this will I get put in a newbie swim wave at the back?
I did Calgary this year and seem to remember a newbie wave at the back. I see, to think there were only a few waves overall, maybe 4? Was great for me as my wave started right after the pros which was awesome as there wasn’t 2000+ athletes in front like there was at other events. Much different and better experience being up front. Great race overall, definitely a good one for a first 70.3. Best of luck.
The race organizers instituted the newbie wave in the second year of the event (now in year 7). The last few years the waves have mostly been 1. pro men 2. pro women 3. 25-44 AG Men 4. All women 5. The rest of the men 6. newbies, with 2-5 minutes in between.
You don’t lose any time starting in the newb wave, but if you’re a weak or timid swimmer you avoid the A type personality under water fist fight for your first 70.3. It’s s great way to ease into open water bedlam.
It’s a great event and the swim is relatively tame regardless of what wave you are in. Good luck - see you out there.
And cheaper than usual for another couple days.
$225CAN or $200US
4 and 5 were swapped. It went:
But only 2 - 3 minutes between waves so you weren’t waiting too long.
First year I did this, 2 years ago, as my first 70.3 and it was great being in the Newby group. Lots of us there but no issues in the swim, nice and calm and with me being a poor swimming, I was all by myself pretty quickly. Then, onto the bike and not many behind me, had to watch out for some trash on the road but no worries about drafting - no one to draft around. So, a bit lonely on the ride. Then on the run, because it is an out and back, I saw lots of people on the way out. Not very many on the way back.
This year, I started with the “last group” of men and was at the back of the pack. That meant I got some drafting in the water. And, what was really great, at least for me was when the faster women started to go by, I’d get some draft from them and could use them to keep a straight line. Helped my swim times more than I thought. Once out on the bike I got passed by a few folks but it was still rather lonely out there. And, on the run, same thing, lots at the start, not so many on the way back.
If anyone is doing this and is intimidated by the swim at all, start with the Newbie group. You get to go your own pace pretty much throughout the race and if you are good cyclist or runner, you'll pick off people.
I'll be registering within the next couple of days.
Has a registration option ‘new to triathlon/70.3 distance’ in addition to ‘general registration’.
What is the purpose of this? I haven’t done a 70.3 before, but have done shorter distances. If I select this will I get put in a newbie swim wave at the back?
Yes but if you’re a strong swimmer they’ll move you up if you take the time to let them know. IMYYC was my first 1/2 in 2013 and they moved me up to a regular wave. BTW Lake McKenzie was an awesome swim and the tunnel swim was memorable and I missed it BUT the new swim was great too - just wish the developer had built a peninsula to swim under LOL. I can’t say enough good things about this race. Wish it was on my calendar this year.
I’ll stick to the newbie wave this year then. Looking forward to it!