I see there is a sprint option now and a bit less than a 1/2 option for Nova Scotia 101 - 1-mile swim, 40-mile bike, and 9-mile run. I think this is a really good idea. My wife might jump into the shorter race.
I’m also glad to see the addition of the shorter distances to the 101 race menu. I wish I would have had those options in Florida!!
There has been a lot of discussion on this forum about brand building with this new series. HFP Racing has already built a very solid, successful brand by giving multisport athletes several options at nearly all of their events, then treating all of those athletes to a great racing experience.
As the race organizers venture away from their Mideast base with the 101 series, hopefully they will be able to treat athletes around the country to the HFP Racing experience that those of us in Ohio and the surrounding states have come to expect. I would assume that the more accessible, less expensive sprint and 50.5 options will draw more local athletes to the events (as opposed to those coming from afar for a “destination” race) and I think this can only be a plus for the series both in the short and long term.
I agree about HFP. One of the best things I have ever seen in triathlon was the HFP women’s only sprint race in Akron a few years ago. My wife is from the Akron area so we got visit her mom and do a race each year. My wife decided to give the sport a tri, so she did the women’s race, which was on Saturday, and I did the Olympic race, which was Sunday. The women’s race was a 100 or 200 yard swim in waist deep water, an 8-mile bike ride, and a 2-mile run. All first-timers. You never saw a more nervous group before the race or a more blow-hardy group after the race. It was really wonderful to watch and encouraged a lot of women who would otherwise be intimidated to try the sport. It got my wife hooked. Plus the Olympic race I did the next day was also really great.
The different distances for Nova Scotia also sound like a great idea. I was thinking about skipping the race even though I am signed up, because I was going to focus on short course this year. However, the addition of the different distances makes my wife want to do the 50-miler, and we both want to support the new series, which I think is a healthier alternative to Ironman.
Now, with the different distances, they need a much better name than the Tri 101 series.
Yes, this is great. I just didn’t see adding this on my calendar next year. Now, the Clear Lake 50.5 could be just the ticket for me. Kudo’s to the race organizers.
I also like the idea and I will be doing the 50.5 in Houston. I was going to venture to the 101 after a couple of 1/2’s this year. But things changed and I decided to stick with short course, mainly the Oly. This fits in perfectly for me and four other friends who will be driving from NM to do it.
Thanks for providing that distance.
Steve