This is beginning to look like the Clearwater field (minus the drafting). I’m participating as an age-grouper; I hope that M40-44 get an early wave so that we can see the pros duke it out on the out-and-back. I’m picking Sanson to beat John Kenney out of the water 1st, and then I’m going with the darkhorse pick of David Thomson for the overall win, nudging our uber-biker Chris Lieto.
Starting List
Natascha Badmann Aargau, Switzerland
Lisa Bentley Canada
Chris Lieto Danville, CA
Joanna Zeiger Boulder, Colorado
Jo Lawn Auckland, New Zealand
Michael Lovato Boulder, Colorado
Bree Wee KONA, Hawaii
Leanda Cave Hilperton, Trowbridge, UK
Luke Bell Melbourne, Australia
Desiree Ficker Austin, Texas
Belinda Granger Waverley, NSW, Australia
Timothy berkel Port Macquarie, Australia
Cait Snow Brockton, Massachusetts
Rebekah keat Albury NSW, Australia
Cameron Brown New Zealand
Brooke Davison Boulder, CO
Toby Radcliffe Carshalton, Surrey, UK
Kirk Nelson Longmont, Colorado
Eileen Swanson San Ramon, CA
Tyler Lord Milton, Ontario, Canada
Jonas Colting Sweden
Mirinda Carfrae Brisbane, Australia
Angela Naeth Penticton, BC, Canada
John Hirsch Block Island, RI
Kelly Williamson Austin, TX
Lisa Mensink Netherlands
David Glover Reston, VA
Joan Bláfoss Denmark
David Thompson St Paul, MN
Leon Griffin Victoria, Australia
Melissa Vandewater Sydney, Australia
Joe Gambles Australia
Jen Coombs Canada
Ryan Bates Greencastle, IN
John Kenny Horsham, PA
Raymond Botelho Cape Cod, MA
Alex McDonald Durham, NC
Paul Amey Great Britain
Benjamin Sanson France
Simon Thompson Australia
It proves a bit of a point that if you put the money on the table that the Pros will come out. I realize that it’s hard to build a race completely around this concept, but if you can get this and a decent sized AG field, you have the makings of a good event.
if you can get this and a decent sized AG field, you have the makings of a good event.
I guess that would make sense from a “pro’s” point of view. I suspect most of us might feel differently that we would first want a quality event for age group athletes to participate and that alone would make the event a good one … and financially successful. Ironman seems to show that focus on the pro event doesn’t matter much … it would be nice to have balance, but with the exception of a few individuals, being a pro triathlete doesn’t have a lot of meaning.
Dave
I guess that would make sense from a “pro’s” point of view. I suspect most of us might feel differently that we would first want a quality event for age group athletes to participate and that alone would make the event a good one … and financially successful. Ironman seems to show that focus on the pro event doesn’t matter much … it would be nice to have balance, but with the exception of a few individuals, being a pro triathlete doesn’t have a lot of meaning.
Dave,
Agreed.
The succesful model of event management in this sport is that the entry fees should cover all the hard costs of an event. Therefore, there is no real need for a Pro race in the first place. It’s been this way for a long time with many events. Costs involved for the Pro race, Prize purse, VIP stuff etc . . are typically covered by a title sponsor, with direct cash for the event. There are some spin-off andf indirect benefits for the AG’ers as a result of having this in place, but they really are extras and nice-to-haves.
However, it would be nice to see an event take a bit of a different approach and blend the two together. Perhaps this event will do it. Time will tell. I wish them the best. It’s been a challenging year for sponsorship.
I agree as well. The way I look at it, my experience as an age grouper is totally unassociated with the pro race. In the interest of full disclosure, I’m friends with the RD of the race, and I’ve seen firsthand the planning and money that they’re throwing at it, so I have no dount my personal experience will be great.
Second, and distinctly different from that in my mind, is following the pro race. I love watching the deep, deep field at Clearwater, but the “sterileness” of the dead flat race takes away from the strategy and competitiveness in my mind. I’m truly looking forward to seeing how the pro race develops here, as it offers an opportuity for a deep, deep field to mix it up on a hilly playground - I think the results will be interesting; my guess is that you’ll see many lead changes in the race there. I kinda wish I could just hang back and watch the race unfold on the giant tv’s in transition, but I’ll still be out on the course myself as the race unfolds.
You can add my name to that list as well. It’s a beautiful area for a race. I did my first Olympic (second triathlon ever) there (Lake Quassapaug and the surrounding area). I think it’s great that Rev3 is really trying to build the race around the pros. What I hope is that we, as a group, can turn that into a good ROI for them. If we can, then it shows we have some value. If we can’t, well then I guess we better figure out how to change that or be happy with the status quo.
They did pick quite a tough weekend to debut, with IM 70.3 Kansas, Boise, Eagleman, and also Alcatraz the following weekend. I wonder if that will be the date going forward.
I’m not sure how many they’re expecting, but I believe they are going to make an athlete list available (not sure though). I think that the facility can handle over 1,500 (parking, transition area, etc.), but I wouldn’t think that would happen year 1. My wild-ass guess is somewhere between 500 and 1000 (I know they’re well over the low end of that range currently).
Cool. That’s the first time I’ve gotten a Frank Day response to any thread I’ve posted on ST!!! I guess I need to post more powercranks questions
Seriously, in answer to your question, I know there’s 6 or 8 cameras that will be on the course on race day. I’m not sure how many of those will be hooked in to the internet feed though.
Actually, I think their internet coverage is supposed to be their claim to fame. They are taking live coverage to the next level, both online and at the race site with the jumbo-tron screen. I know myself and my family are excited about this race (and my family never gets excited about races)!
It’s really exciting to see a big name, high paying event some to the area. Up until a little over a year ago I lived about 10 miles away from the location and I agree, it’s prime real estate for a nice, honest, no drafting event. It’s also nice to have an event where even the 6th place finisher gets decent money vs. cab fare for the taxi to the airport.
For those racing, I think you’ll reeeeally enjoy miles 3-5 of the run : )… nice, tough dirt road that will give the course some character.
Any knuckleheads staying over on Sunday night I shall be looking for drinking buddies. I’ll be the dork with a full cooler of your favorite beerverages.
If anyone is looking for events of a more sane nature in the area after the Rev 3 - www.patgriskustri.com
I would say that it is similar in context then to HyVee which built itself around the World Cup race and in turn the AG race has becoming very successful (good competition/good media/sells out).
My impression FWIW as a BOP’er is that this a hilly challenging course that also has a long descent late on the course down Rte 61 that will see some screaming fast speeds! It is also quite beautiful as it winds past reservoirs and rivers thru Litchfield county.
I’ve done the course 4-5 times already. It’s beautiful, but does have a bit of a sting. I think the elevation gain is about 1.5 times what a lap of IMLP is. The climb on 254 is where you will make or break your race. It climbs in steps for 4 miles, and then continues to roll through some steep ups and downs for 3 additional miles. If the winds are calm, the climb is great, but if the winds are out of the NW (like they were when I did the course Sunday with the RD) look out. I’m thinking a good time on here will be a time for a course like Timberman + 8-10 minues. The out-and-back should be a great part of the course; once you hit the turnaround it will be fast, fast, fast back to T2.
Ironman seems to show that focus on the pro event doesn’t matter much … \\
Where do you get this from?? Without the pros, Ironman would be a secondary race to the old Nice triathlon. There was a bidding war for the pros back in the day, and the race that won it would get the tv coverage, and thus the sponsors and AG athletes. Just because they do not seem to care now, because they have all the momentum, does not mean the pros were not important in their sucess. It would not have happened if they had ignored the pros, just like the Boston marathon did, and paid a big price for that. And if they continue to ignore the pros, it will come back to haunt them one day, but it may take awhile for there juice to run down…But make no mistake, if they treated the pros like they do now back in the mid 80’s when the turf wars were in full effect, and the winner was not so clear, it could of easily have been a different story today. You all would be racing the Nice distance, and filling out your applications in French!!!
