There aren’t very many people signed up- less than 200 since the race director still has jerseys and they go to the first 200. Hardware is for the taking.
So who is going?
Do you think this race will survive? I live in lansing and like having a local race (although I haven’t done it because I’m usually out of town this time of year).
The weather delay last year and competition with Steelhead the weekend prior made this date and this event marginal. The event has never been held succesfully at the advertised distance. That is beyond the race director’s control, it isn’t his fault- but it is something consumers respond to.
I think a lot of people opted for Steelehead since that race received rave reviews and is produced by some heavy hitters from Capri Race management (directors of the world’s largest triathlon, The Chicago Triathlon) with a lot of success in major race logistics behind them.
This is NOT a slight on 3Disciplines.
One thing for sure: If Sunday does not go off very well the race’s future may be compromised to the degree that it is no longer economically viable.
For 3Disciplines Sunday is exactly like the recent space shuttle launch: Everybody is watching and waiting with a (perhaps unreasonable) set of expectations. Remember: It is a race in the open air- anything can happen.
I don’t envy 3Discipline’s challenge this weekend. For Lansing Legislator to continue, there is very little margin of error this weekend- no “O” rings can fail, no heat resistant tiles can come off and re-entry has to be flawless.
I know a number of people who are racing, but don’t hang out here. It was a toss up between Steelhead and Lansing for me. I even contemplated doing both. I hope the race is a success. You can’t have too many races.
Legislator was originally my A race, but then the team decided to do Steelhead. I’m only attending the Legislator Oly because I already paid about 6 months ago.
If the race goes under, I’d only see it as an opportunity for the MSU Tri Club to finally put on a race of our own in East Lansing or Lansing proper- think finish line on Michigan Ave headed towards the Capital steps! Now to figure out where we can host the swim… sure as hell not in the Red Cedar River.
jeez Tom.
think you could find any more potential, possible, or maybe negatives, or what ifs to throw around?
a lot of events in the region are getting a lot of registrations in the final few days. so we draw 300 to Shermanator the same weekend of Steelhead adds a marginal analysis to Steelhead?
everybody is watching every race in the area for openings including Hubbard Lake, Waterloo, Johan’s, Lake Macatawa, Mellon and so on.
the shuttle thing is just shabby.
I would have made my half IM distance debut at Lansing Legislator instead of Steelhead last weekend, but my wife has a trial starting on Monday so I went with Steelhead. I hope that the race is succesful because it would be nice to have an option a lot closer to the SE Michigan than Steelhead, especially if Steelhead continues to grow and it gets hard to get a slot there.
Way back when (1991?) There was a tri centered around lake Lansing in Meridian Twnshp. I only did it one year. It was a sprint distance if I recall. It was a fun race. It rained like hell that morning if I recall.
There was also another one to the south of Lansing in Grand River Park (didn’t actually swim in the river but a pond nearby). It was a quasi OLY distance race with a short swim and a long bike. It had hills if you can believe that.
Both races disappeared after 1991. Maybe the MooU club can revisit those locations.
The swim venue is the only hitch in putting on a race. The ideal (meaning if the Red Cedar River were drinking clean) course setup goes like this:
T1 is at Riverfront Park, transport to the swim start at Turner-Dodge Park courtesy of CATA, swim back to Riverfront Park, bike course heads north towards Clark Rd and Upton Rd (these are your hilly areas), run course weaves through Lasing via the river trail and then finishes 50 yards from the Capital Building’s steps.
i think you will see both events grow and adapt to the changing race picture in Michigan, with more on the way.
Steelhead poached on our weekend with the little ole’ Shermanator this year and we still drew 300 total for long and short courses. there are plenty enough athletes to be attracted to different course lengths and venues to go around.
i’m for a little more positive talk about all of them…especially those that are doing a good job. the more races the more fun.
the more races and more athletes, the more benefit for sponsors and those running related businesses nearby. kinda funny how that works eh?
The factors that Tom mentioned are exactly the two that palyed into my decision to do Steelhead vs. Lansing. I have done several 3D races and they are all very well run, but I did hear marginal reviews about Lansing ( largely weather related) and glowing reviews about Steelhead. Given the close proximity of the dates I could only chose one and I chose the one that was several hours farther from me because it sounded more enjoyable. I would like to do Lansing as it is my alma mater and it would be nice to see the old stomping grounds. I am anxious to see the reports from this year, so please post.
Good luck to everyone who is racing!
I would for sure be doing Lansing this weekend, but have family obligations in A2. So I am going to bust a move down to Sylvania for the oly there.