I was in wave 8/20 at St. Anthony’s this year. I thought the bike course was not too overcrowded when I was on it. This was a really big race. Maybe 3,000 bikes out there. How was the course for you guys in the later waves?
There was essentially no enforcement out there. I heard there were three motorcycles, one of which was dedicated to the pros. Drafting was pretty awful by and large.
I have done this race for five years, but I haven’t decided whether to sign up for next year.
I was in wave 18 and it was pretty crowded. I saw 1 bad wreck and there were some slow riders out there! It was a little dangerous.
I may sign up for it next year, just more for fun opposed to an A race but it was pricey.
I went off at 7:55 (not sure what number wave) and was late out of the water (me, slow, what a surprise :-)) and was worried about the course being crowded, but was pleasantly surprised at most people following the rules. Yes, a few groups, but not my concern, mainly fast young guys who I figure can do whatever they want, if they want to break the rules, screw 'em, it doesn’t affect my race.
I really think the whole day was well organised, especially given the increase in numbers. Not, however, that I think it wouldn’t have been better limited to 1200 or so the way it used to be. Just my .02.
Hope everyone had a good day, I know I did (not time-wise, experience-wise).
Cheers
Barry
I too was in wave 18 and it was crowded on the bike course, if you kept your head up you could get through the slower traffic OK. What I wasnt prepared for was the HEAT, I suffered on that run like I never have have before.
I am surprised at the small amount of discussion on this site about St. Anthony’s. This site was humming with race opinions last year. Have Slowtwitchers logged off to this big race?
The bike course for us old farts was great if you don’t mind following the rules. I couldn’t draft a soul because I rarely saw one until about the second half of the ride. 
During the second half of my ride I was passed by literal gangs of guys riding together shamelessly. I think in Oly guys just play Russian Roulette with the rules. I’m re-thinking my unbroken string of races without a penalty. I guess I’ve just got to start drafting. 2 or 3 guys in my age group got penalties, which probably means a high percentage of them were breaking the rules.
The speed bumps (which I avoided like almost everyone else), many turns, and, what, 3 u-turns were a hassle. The quality of the road surface was very high for the most part. Certainly better than Clermont. Traffic control was excellent.
If I hadn’t had a severe asthma attack in the run I would have thoroughly enjoyed the race.
-Robert
I signed up for the race, but was a no show - had to stay home and do lawn work, take the kids to soccer and a swim meet! Heard from a few atheltes today at the NTC that the race went very well - some first timers and other veterans that participated in the race. Also heard that they will allow 5,000 in next year! Chicago might have to watch out! Z
Being in wave 5 definitely made things a bit easier on the bike. I did not hear of many problems- a few complaints on the SA message board but not as many as what I was expecting. I think the biggest complaints were the lack of toilets available.
I had a great time but 5,000 in 2005? IMO The course is a bit too narrow and technical for that number.
I thought the bike course was pretty good considering the number of entries. The roads were pretty smooth with the exception of the cobblestone leaving the transition area and entering back into the transition area and a few speed bumps but ones in which you were given fair warning by a volunteer with an amplified speaker. They even took the time to cover the one set of railroad tracks up. It was definitely not a totally flat course and you had to have some decent bike handling skills at times as there were a few tight turns and corners. The volunteers and the police did a great job with the traffic control and ensuring the safety of the bike course. I never felt unsafe or as if there were too may cyclists on the course. There were enough start waves that I think it helped keep the bike course less crowded. I personally did not see any drafting violations but I’m sure they did occur as I only once saw a motorcycle during the 24.9 mile course. All said and done, I was quite impressed with the entire event. The festivities the day before were terrific. The pre-race pasta meal left a little to be desired unless you like soggy pasta but the expos were cool and if you’ve never experienced the excitement of a big race before, this was the place to be. All day long there were triathletes swimming in the bay, running, and cycling. The aura that this event produced was fantastic. Think about the 3000 bikes corraled up in the fenced in transition area. Assuming the average bike inside transition cost $1,000 (and we know this is an understatement) there was at least 3 million dollars of bikes left out overnight. Security of the transition area before during and after the race was great. The swim was very choppy and the run was a scorcher. Boy was it hot. Thank God for all the volunteers and the fans during the run. Plenty of water and gatorade and residents in the run neighborhood to hose you down. The best part of the race was the blue towel waiting for you at the finish line which was soaked in ice cold water. Boy did that feel great! It was very hot though. I probably should’ve drank more on the bike. I only drank maybe half of my profile aerodrink bottle. It caught up with me on the run and post race. I still had a heart rate of 112 one and a half hours after the race. It took me 80 ounces of post race fluid to finally urinate. I was definitely intravascularly depleted. Lesson to learn. Would I do this race again? YOU BETCHA’ I WOULD! It was a first class event with a boatload of talent and the organizers did a fantastic job. The post race festivities were also first class. If you considered this race but didn’t sign up because of the fear of the number of people racing, don’t let this fear get in your way next year. I must say I had my reservations leading up to the race but I was pleasantly surprised. JOB WELL DONE St. Anthony’s Race organizers.
I was a volunteer at the curve going into T2. There looked to be around a dozen motorcycles set up just down toward the Vinoy, and each one went out with an official on it. I also saw a posted list of penalties, which looked to be about 6 pages long. They often post it on the St. A’s website, but haven’t checked it out.
Five freakin’ thousand !!! Say it ain’t so! What’s all that about? Greed? I honestly believe they are at the limit of what this course can handle, if not over it.
BTW am I the only one who didn’t find the day excessively hot? Or is it only you Northerners that are whining?.. joke, joke, OK?! Sheesh.
Cheers
Barry
I did the race in '02 and said I’d never do it again because of the crowds. But there are a few people in our local club who go every year. They said the race was nice, and they thought things went really well. One local wore her Garmin during the race, and said the bike course actually measured out at 25.39 miles. Anyone else notice this?
All in all, they gave the race high marks.
RP
My bike computer said about 25.5. Based on my bike split, my effort, the flatness of the course and minimal wind, I would love to get confirmation that the bike course was long. Then again, somebody suggested that I was probably zig zagging my way to add extra distance. This is entirely possible, since the bike course was very busy. I was in one of the middle waves, starting at 8:15. I see that a bunch of penalties were handed out, but with this number of riders, I felt like I could have been flagged several times. There was just no way to follow the letter of the law with that many riders. Also glad to hear that I am not the only one that burst into flames on the run.
This was the first year the heat didn’t totally shut me down on the run. I think I can handle the heat a little better after losing about 12 pounds.
Having said that though, I think the heat probably added about 2 minutes to my run split. For Florida, all things considered, that is not bad at all.
I didn’t get an accurate measurement of the bike course, but at least two people on the message board thought the course was 25.2 to 25.3 miles long.
I clocked 25.19 on the course as well and my computer is usually pretty accurate. After eating and drinking the whole 4hrs home in the car, I was still six pounds lighter when I got home, resting pulse still 10 beats higher this morning, I’d say it was hot!!! Now I have a 100’ temp. I guess it will keep me off the road.
I was in the 2nd half of the 30-35 year old wave, which started at 8:55a.m.! I was off the bike around 11am. It was brutal running at that time. I don’t know if I would do that race next year because of how staggered the waves were. I think the race organizers should consider beginning the race earlier so that we don’t have to be running during mid day in 85 degree temperatures, or limiting entries so that there are not so many waves.
I hear you oatmeal, That heat beat me down bad! I’m begining to have doubts about next year for me as well. It’s now thurs. and I still feel like crap, I’m starting to think it’s not worth it. I’d sign up in a second if I could start in the earlier waves but 8:45 is just too late!!
Did that 25.19 include the length of the transition area?
Sorry the heat got to you. As far as St. Anthony’s weather, that was about as good as you can reasonably expect. The water was the coldest in my five years of doing the race.
This is a tough call for next year. I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the back of the bus last Sunday.
Art, I clocked it from the mount up area out on the street to the chalked dismount line before the fence at T2.
I do this for fun, but man, the run Sunday was anything but.
I am going to guess that you had an illness coming on. I am sure the race didn’t do it any good.
This is the first year I held together for the entire run. I am guessing I handled the heat better after losing about 12 pounds.
Tough call on next year. We won’t know the wave starts until long after we register.
Thanks for the distance info. I makes my bike split seem a bit better.