Sally Edwards and Maggie Sullivan were in Austin yesterday to promote the Trek Women’s Triathlon series. Edwards and Sullivan built the Danskin series and decided to start their own when Danskin sold the name and they no longer had control over the race.
My full article is here: http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/03/11/trek-womens-triathlon-the-name-changes-but-the-people-and-magic-remain-the-same/.
Enjoy.
I really wonder how it will be any different or better than Danskin when races like the one in Austin are the exact same course for both events. So there are some new categories. Okay. But other than that, looks like the same race to me. Wonder which one survives out of the deal, I don’t see both of them going on while competing so directly.
Thanks for sharing this. I was wondering what the story was behind the new series.
I’m a big fan of Sally Edwards. Our team raced head-to-head with her team at the Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge in British Columbia. She is a life-long endurance athlete and a knowledgable author and resource to the entire sport. Very impressive person.
I really wonder how it will be any different or better than Danskin when races like the one in Austin are the exact same course for both events. So there are some new categories.
Well, when I talked to Maggie and Sally, they went to great pains to emphasize that they were the ones that build Danskin and the great experience women have had with that series will continue with the Trek Series.
They’ve been doing it 19 years. The new management of the Danskin, SheRox, have been going races less than a year. Xxtra Mile, the management of the Trek series, is majority women owned. SheRox, is owned by men.
If anyone has been to a previous Danskin, you know the atmosphere is different from almost any other triathlon. This is why I know so many women who only do this race.
In Austin, there are only really 3 course where triathlons are put on. I’d say it isn’t about the course. It’s about what’s the best race experience (The Cactus Tri, which was on this course, died out after two years because frankly they did not produce a race with a quality experience.)
Will SheRox be able to re-create what Maggie and Sally created? I don’t know, but I feel pretty confident that Xxtra Mile knows how to do women only races.
Hi
The answer is that BOTH series will survive and thrive…end of story.
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The answer is that BOTH series will survive and thrive
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As long as the races are well run, I agree. I’m not sure about elsewhere in the US, but in the Austin area, there has been an explosion of women specific tris, dus, and bike races this year: http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/02/03/a-plethora-of-austin-cycling-events-coming-down-the-pike-for-the-fairer-sex/.
Seems like a growing niche market (actually niche within our niche.)
Nothing against Maggie and Sally, who have done a terrific job with Danskin over the years . . . but just to keep the record straight, it was actually Gloria West of Wisconsin who, as the initial race director for the series, laid the foundation for its substantial success.
Lew - You are correct. Gloria did a great job that first year and I had the pleasure to work with her on the first race of the 89 seres in Boca Raton, Florida. Z
I believe that both series will be well recieved and attended. Women’s only races are wonderful for ladies who want to try a new sport, stay active and have fun. No down side to more of these races and they get people involved with the sport. Z
How does being owned by womyn change anything? If an RD puts on a good event why does it matter what their sex is?
It seems to matter to women.
The new management of the Danskin, SheRox, have been going races less than a year. Xxtra Mile, the management of the Trek series, is majority women owned. SheRox, is owned by men.
What’s your statement based on? Its certainly wrong with respect to time - there have been 2 years of SheRox in Philadelphia already. I am not sure about its actual ownership, but I do know that the RD and a large part of the race organization team are women, some have experience as part of the same team that put on the Philadelphia Triathlon (which in its reborn form has is now hitting its 5th or 6th year).
I volunteered at SheRox 2 years ago, and the women I saw there were having a great time. I’ve seen Danskin races too, and I really couldn’t spot a siignificant difference. Oh yeah, I’m a guy.