Has anybody done the oly distance? Is the race well organized (translate…fun)? I’m thinking about this one, but I had heard some bad things. I had done the marathon a few years ago and it stunk (very poor support for the runners, course poorly marked). Hoping the triathlon is not the same.
Have not done it, but I have heard the same results as you saw with the Marathon. I am staying away to avoid the headaches and potential problems. If things have changed I would like to know as well because it’s pretty close for me.
chris
If this is the race in September that you’re talking about then here goes:
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Get there early for registration (best to actually do it the day before b/c I nearly missed my wave start b/c of a lack of efficiency on the organizer’s part).
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The swim was about 1/2 the distance it should have been. You also had to deal with the 1/2IM swimmers coming back in the opposite direction you’re heading at the start.
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The bike course was nice - I rode it a day or two beforehand and knew where to look for course markings. Others might say that the course was poorly marked; I say that if you pay attention, you’ll know where to go. However, a freight train blocked the leaders, myself included, at about mile 17 for about 5-7 minutes. That was fun.
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Run course was tough. Again, some might say the course was poorly marked, but if you scope out the course ahead of time, you’re set.
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Security in and around transition wasn’t great. Meaning that your friend - or a bike thief - could have walked off with your bike and gear if they wanted.
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The organization wasn’t great, but if you’re prepared and know the course ahead of time - it’s a good course to race on.
Bottom line: if you don’t have high expectations of well put-together race and you are well-prepared, I’d say give it a shot b/c the course is challenging.
The same guy that does the Marathon is the race director. Extremely poorly done, but that course is a good challenge, especially the run. Bike course has quite a few potholes now, as the roads are getting rougher each year. Basically go for the course. If you’re counting on getting your money’s worth, than forget it! Lousy organization, poor jokes, poor course management, terrible awards, terrible (and very little) food after, and I am shocked that he hasn’t gotten anyone killed yet with his race direction, or lack of. I am also amazed that it gets certified, if it still is. It is a disaster waiting to happen, but the people flock from Chicago because the lake is a wonderful place to hang out. I’d love to be more positive, but I think he should be forced to get his act together, or get out before one of our friends, or us, is killed.
My father did it once. He will not go back.
I have done two of the directors previous races and will not be going back. The courses were either bad, or dangerous, and other basic details seemed either left to chance, or none existant.
I would not recommend it, personally.
Gary…you think there is an issue dodging trains in a race? Yer chicken.
Hey Chip. He’s done worse, like having an ironman race with almost no aid stations, and little traffic control. Glad that’s a thing of the past.
I agree with all that has been said so far. Because of its great location, this race has so much potential it is criminal that the race director screws it up. I complained to USAT after the race and I know they heard from quite a few others as well. They claim that they have given him strong warnings and will be supervising his plans this year. I’ll do it again because it’s convenient and a great course. We’ll see if USAT has any influence on this guy.
I’ve done the sprint the last two years and plan on doing it again next year. If I had gotten stopped by the train I too would be pissed but no complaints from me on the short swim. I hope it’s short again this year! As for the awards, I would prefer a 3-foot trophy but don’t mind getting a coffee mug rather than a medal.
Thanks, everybody. I will not do it then. I had those same experiences with the marathon. The course will kick your a$$, which is fine, I like the challenge. But the weather that day totally tanked…50 degrees, sideways blowing rain starting at about mile 18. Big hypothermia problems for everyone and the course was basically abandoned when the rain started. At mile 21 or so we were directed to go up someone’s steps and then boom…no marker after that. Standing in someones cul de sac like a cold wet stray wondering where the hell I should go. That was the only time I really was genuinely scared during a race. I knew I was getting hypothermic, but there was no one to assist. Stand there and die or keep running and try to stay warm somehow. I have better things to do with my $100.
Some race directors are in it because they love the sport and the lifestyle and have found a way to combine their vocation with their avocation. Others are in it strictly for the money. This guy is in it for the money. As mentioned above, it’s a total free-for-all. All kinds of non-entrants milling about the transition area after the race, poorly marked course. The course design is very poor. The 1/2, oly and sprint courses converge at the most dangerous part of the course. It’s a dangerous combination of slow-movers on mountain bikes riding thier brakes down the hill with fast-movers in the aerobars weaving between them. It gets very crowded, with five or six bikes wide in the road. A few course marshalls reminding the beginners to stay to the right is a must. Also a total lack of crowd control at the finish. Exhausted finishers milling about, eating bannanas right in the middle of the course while others are fighting their way through the crowd just to get to the finish or get out of T2 in the case of the half IM.
But it’s a great location and it’s a short drive from one of the largest population centers in America. So no matter how bad it gets, it will continue to be profitable. The only thing that will change this event is the threat of loosing their sanctioning. So lets stop bitching to each other on this forum, as we have done repeatedly, and start bitching to USAT
I agree with all the posts here that LGT is nicely located in proximity to Chicagoland; yet, a poorly run race. In fact, I was knocked off my bike a few years ago by some local hick out getting his morning newspaper. Although this is not the RD’s fault, it just says to me that the locals are not excited about this race as other races where the locals come out to cheer. Notify USAT is a great idea, I’m going do that since I’d really like LGT to continue, albeit as a better managed race.
Your suggestion about contacting USAT is a great one. Please post any info, so we’re on the same page. I know we should talk about the benefits: population base, race site, and “potential” so as not to be so negative they lose hope.
gimpy,
I didn’t even read the responses…I would NEVER do one of Frank Dobb’s races unless I HAD too…I recommend NOT doing it. It is SO not worth all your training and $ – honestly, it is purely a safety issue for me. JUST not safe and NO traffic control at intersections, etc.
Skip it…do something else in September – Mattoon? Something else!
Let’s do it:
http://www.usatriathlon.org/Pages/contact_us_frames.htm
There are several links here. A couple are for “sanctioning coordinators.”
I agree on being positive. I think we will get more traction if our attitude is one of wanting to improve the race for those of us who care to participate, rather than “let’s stick it to the RD.”
I think I’ll pen something overnight so it can be well thought out. Let’s invite these guys to do a search of “Lake Geneva” in the ST forum. It’s the same thing every time the subject comes up. Pass the word along to your friends who share our views to do the same. If anything is to change, it will not just be the result of one compelling argument made, but also by the sheer number of people making that argument. In other words, don’t wait for your buddy to take care of this. Be counted.
Also, if you are a USAT member, point that out so they know who they are hearing from.
JJ, ya think I’d learn the first time, huh? 
I’ve only got one race scheduled so far this season and I’m sniffing around for another, but I’m not sure I can drive 3 hours to it. I have extremely limited funds for my endurance habit (probably cannot stay overnite in a hotel). Is there any good tri around the Milwaukee area end of Aug or early Sept? I like small races, so I am avoiding Accenture in Chicago. Anyone have any suggestions?
Maybe Pleasant Prairie Tri? Not sure of the timing.
I did the half last summer, and got what about I expected.
I was most disappointed that the swim wasn’t measured. I knew something was up when I had a world record pace split coming out of the water, despite being about the 20th person out of the water.
The bike was easy except for a lactic acid inducing hill around the second corner. The run course had a monster hill that you got to do twice.
From other posters I was expecting no support, so provided my own. There was one water/aid stop on the entire 56 mile course.
I will never do it again, but it was the right distance (almost) at the right time for my training.
Why not do Bigfoot at the end of June. Same lake, secure transition. Better bike course and the run is on a trail so it is easier on the legs. The swim isn’t an out and back, you swim along the shoreline which I like much better.
I second the Big Foot Olympic Tri instead. Well organized. It seemed like a lot of people did it as one of their B or C races for the season. So a fun, less pressure crowd on a great course in the same beautiful area.