I’m not judging. I’m just curious to know if this is true. That would have to make it one of the biggest HIMs in the country, no? If you’re planning on doing it you better make hotel reservations now if this is true.
With wave starts, a point-to-point swim with no turns, and single-loop bike and run courses on quiet roads, they have basically unlimited capacity. Plenty of hotels and campgrounds in the area as well.
-Marc
Are you saying that, yes, they will have 3000 next year?
I have no idea, but if they did I don’t think it would be a big deal. I didn’t even mention the ability to expand the transition area into a big nearby parking lot and the rolling hills on the bike course that discourage drafting. It’s a great course for a big race.
Registration starts on Monday and I want to race there.
Herbert
Quintana Roo / Litespeed
I had heard the same thing? As mentioned above the course is more conducive to a large race then some of the others. The headaches will be parking and getting from transition to the swim start. The RD does a great job so I am sure he will figure out the logistics. Maybe he will chime in and confirm this rumor.
I too think it will be a great race. I’ve done it the past two years and will probably do it again this year. I’m really just curious to know if it’s going to be that huge. However, I don’t agree that there are plenty of hotels. If you plan on doing it I’d get that reservation now.
If you’re willing to drive a little bit race morning you’ve got the whole strip that runs from Michigan City to Ludington plus inland areas like Kalamazoo. We used to stay at B&B’s outside of town as I like a quieter atmosphere. I agree it will be tight in Benton Harbor.
I’m just a little surprised that he’s getting all the permits he needs because doing a HIM with spread out waves for 3000 people will mean there will be people out on the course until pretty late. I guess he’s bringing a lot of people and money to town, though.
Also, if you’re in the area, I highly recommend the Firecracker sprint (same RD). I’m actually wearing the t-shirt right now. I think that’s the most fun I’ve ever had a sprint despite the crappy weather.
Actually my wife and I have a cottage in New Buffalo so it’s not really a problem for me.
Did you do the Firecracker Sprint last year? Awesome race.
Registration for Steelhead will open at 9:00 AM on Monday, December 4th. We are meeting with the city of Benton Harbor next Thursday to discuss the renovation of Jean Klock Park. They are looking at moving the beach parking to the lake side of the dunes! This will make the swim finish run to the transition about 300 yards shorter then previous years!
The number of athletes in the race will be determined by the size of the parking lot. We will do the following to make the race safe and fair for athletes -
#1 Increase the waves - 150-200 athletes per wave.
#2 - Increase the time between waves - min. of 6 min - up to 10 min.
#3 - Increase the amount of officials on the course.
When the new web site opens, please go to the lodging button and click on the link to the Southwest Mighigan TDC. They have a complete listing of hotels, cabins, campgrounds, resorts, rental houses and bed&Breakfasts in the region.
The host hotel - Holiday Inn Express had 15 rooms left yesterday!
Z
I was going to sign up, but I’m not very excited about that 3000 number. Is there any validity to this?
This is a great race. The only problem I saw this year was that there was huge golf tournament the same weekend. The logistics of the race were well run, no problems at the swim start or in transition. There was a problem with the amount of water on the run, but I am sure that will be taken care of this year.
The 5/3 Bank Firecracker Triathlon will take place on Sunday, July 1, 2007. Registration is open for the race. Go to www.firecrackertriathlon.com
We also have a Kids race the same day as Firecracker! It is a great family vacation weekend on Lake Michgian.
Z
Tom, that all sounds great and we all certainly appreciate you putting in the proper planning to handle a large race. However, to the point, is there any truth to the rumor in question? Is that 3000 even under consideration? How large are you thinking it will be? Thanks
This in an email I just got
The event is the only 70.3 World Championship qualifier in the Great
Lakes Region and will fill quickly - the cap on athletes for the event is
3000.
yikes
I remember doing the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships back in the early 90’s. The race included a whopping 308 athletes. That was the largest race I did for many years. Any race with over 2-3 hundred were considered very large. 3000 is mind boggling.
Steve -
We will know in the next few days how much room we will have for the transition. If we have room for 3,000, we will take 3,000 applications.
Of course, that means we will have about 2,300 - 2,400 that will start the race as most races have a 20% no show.
Z