Questions on Steelhead

Triathlon Forum
1

First, this was my first HIM so there is a bit of ignorance in this but if this was an Ironman sanctioned event right? I didn’t see many “Ironman” logos anywhere. Everything was “Whirlpool” or “Pizza Hut” which is OK because they pay the bills, but I was hoping for at least an “Ironman” logo on my finisher medal. It brought the question to a bunch of us if (along with no advertisements in Triathlete Mag this year) that it was losing its “Ironman” status or something. Probably way off here, but a bit bumbed that on my first HIM that at least the medal didn’t state it. It had 70.3 which is cool, but both would of been much better.

Second, do people no longer know how to fasten stuff to their bike? I lost track of the number of unused CO2 out there, bottle cages, screwdrivers, waterbottles, aerobars, I even saw a flatwing (complete with bottles still in it) in the road. My wife was past by a guy who didn’t even have a seat. Said that it snapped off around mile 30 or something crazy like that. I swear someone probably was only a front derailure shy of building a complete carbon frame Tri bike from the parts on the road. CRAZY!!!

2

Your medal is much cooler not having the IM logo. At least it doesn’t fall in with the masses! A half IM is a Half IM no matter who pays the bills.

3

The Ford Ironman 70.3 Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon presented by Pizza Hut is not only one of the nicest races around, it has one of the longest names when recited correctly with all the sponsors names. Race management for Steelhead has decades of experience collectively and singly in race production and is very much a part of the official Ford Ironman 70.3 series along with other world class events like Oceanside, Monaco, St. Croix and others.

Steelhead had a developed identity before it was a 70.3 series race and would continue to if it were, as some point, an independant race again. I don’t see that as a likelyhood though given the success both parties have had in St. Jooe/Benton Harbor. The crew at Steelhead does a great job and I am sure the Ford 70.3 Series folk acknowledge that and realize the race is one of a number of jewels in their race crown.

As for stuff on the course- yeah, that was amazing. A few triathlon yard sales in the middle of the road. Just goes to show you- check your bike before you ride!

4

Yeah, there was a lot of stuff all over the place because those roads were rough man!! Add to that all the bobbing and weaving you had to do to navigate through all the people and it you get stuff (mostly bottles, gel flasks, gel packs, C02) falling off your bike, out of your mouth, hands, etc…

5

The Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon is a qualifier for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater and part of the Ironman 70.3 Series. We are very fortunate to be part of this Ironman 70.3 Series and we will continue to work hard to be one of the best races in the series.

With world class events like Timberman, Eagleman, Vineman, Buffalo Spring, St. Croix, Ironman 70.3 Oceanside and Ironman 70.3 Florida, we have to keep on improving our event to match these great events.

One of the nice things about entering an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event is knowing that you will be participating in a well-run race directed by the best RD’s and events production teams in the country.

Z

6

tom… great job to all of you on a wonderful, 5 star event. for any athlete who have never been to, or raced an ironman, this is as close to one as you can get. i enjoyed cheering on the finishers and listening to the announcer say … “you are a…1/2 ironman, steelhead finisher, or 70.3 finisher”. looking forward to next year!

dave

7

As you would expect not too many direct responses. Like you, I was dissapointed at the lack of the Ironman name last year. People can say all they want about it should not matter but lets face it, for better or worse we are buying a brand, and not a cheap one at that. I would have like to see the brand you you payed for more prominent. No one would be a Cervelo that did not have it’s name on it.

8

Thanks Dave - my staff deserves all the credit. They did a wonderful job all week.

Swim - Tim Johnson - No question he’s the best swim guy in the sport - Ironman 70.3 California, Ironman Arizona, Ironman CDA, Ironman LP, Ironman Canada, Ironman Wisconsin and Ironman Florida swim course director. He has to do the bike course for Ironman 70.3 Florida even though he hates dry land.

Bike - Philip LaHaye - St. Athony’s RD and Bike Course guy for Ironman Louisville and Ironman Lake Placid. Having him on the team is awesome as I do not have any worries about the bike course being clean and safe.

Run - Lyle Harris - former RD of Ironman LP, Ironman CDA and Ironman Wisconsin. Now owns Race Kit, a Canadian Event production company. Run course was well coned and easy to follow - Lyle even constructed the “misting tent” we had at the finish line - cost the race $8.00!

Transition - Adam Guess - veteran event guy who has worked for ESM, and Premier Events (Bill Burke) This was Adams first Steelhead.

Supplies - Norm Pingley - Without Norm the event does not happen - he works hard to make sure that everyone has the supplies they need - best fork lift driver in the sport of triathlon!

Volunteers - Christine Borah - Local triathlete from St. Joseph who worked for months on getting volunteers for the race. She did a wonderful job again this year.

Capri Events - The Capri Staff - Jan, Kim, Tracy and Jeff - professional and on top of every little detail.

Mike Proctor - Timer/Scorer - great job as always.

Boulder Communications - Dave , Melinda and Garett - the team that does the sound for the NA Sports Ironman events. First time at Steelhead - Great sound at the swim, transition and finishline.

Lakeshore Athletic Services - tents, cones, and barricades - make event product look easy.

Local RD - Mike Ryan - the man behind the secenes - Mike does all the background jobs of securing local support for the event. The race would not take place without his hard work.

Moral of the story - hire good people and let them do their job - sit back and watch them work. Z

9

You forgot your mom and our lord jesus christ.

10

Your right - how could I forget my mom - I get to stay at her house when I come up to the race each summer. She makes breakfast for me each morning and tells me I work to hard each night I come home from the race site.

She and my Aunt Elenor volunteered at registration all day Friday and the at the finishline giving out Whirlpool towels and medals from 11:00 AM till 5:00 PM on race day!

Thanks Mom! Z

11

No one would buy a Cervelo that did not have it’s name on it.

that is SO untrue… I would totally have bought my Cervelo if it didn’t say Cervelo.

I wish my Cervelo said something different… I wish it said Schwinn… actually, since I am choosing, I wish it had MY name on it (that’d be cool!). as long as it performed the same way as the Cervelo does.

Similarly, as long as it is run as well as Steelhead is, I don’t care whose name is on it or what logo (okay, maybe I’d care if it was the Al Qaeda Steelhead Triathlon and the logo on the metal was Osama Bin Laden or something).

12

Tom’s mom and Aunt Elenor are INCREDIBLE!!! They were there the ENTIRE time of Friday’s registration working hard. Then they were back first thing in the morning to watch the race start followed by a full day of volunteering. Very inspirational women! -Christine

13

I would like to see the transition back on the pavement, and my ankle looks like something was gnawing on it after wearing the plastic chip holder. Otherwise a great race!

I’m surprised to see only 1789 finishers, didn’t they announce something like 2700 entrants? I believe there were about 375 DNF\DNS last year.

Dave

14

Tom’s mom and Aunt Elenor are INCREDIBLE!!! They were there the ENTIRE time of Friday’s registration working hard. Then they were back first thing in the morning to watch the race start followed by a full day of volunteering. Very inspirational women! -Christine
Z is the runt of the litter when he is compared to the woman in his family. I am guessing that he does not have much pull at home, he is outmatched on all fronts.

15

I suspect that 70.3 is the ‘brand’ that the WTC is going to try to promote. They want to differentiate it from Ironman (140.6) and the idea/perception that it is just a ‘half’ Ironman. While technically, they have to say Ironman 70.3 in order to get around the ITU and have their own world championships, I think you will see/hear Steelhead 70.3, Eagleman 70.3, etc. more than Ironman 70.3. And as Tom mentioned, The Whirlpool Steelhead Ironman 70.3 presented by Pizza Hut is a real mouthful. :wink: