as I was looking for any posts about the Spirit of Racine Half Triathlon, all I came upon was one about issues with a car on the course and a helicopter making a mess of the transition. I felt I had to write that this was the best organized and had the most community support of any triathlon, road race, cycling race that I have ever been part of.
Some things other race directors should learn from this race.
course marking - by far the best i have ever seen. not only was ever turn marked so clearly but there seemed to be a million cops and volunteers at EVER intersection that not only did you not feel like you were making a wrong turn but they were all cheering.
community support - not sure if it is just the midwest (i just moved from the east coast) but it seemed like everyone in racine was happy we were there and came out to cheer us on (or more). i have not seen other tris where there are people out with hoses, popsicles, water etc that are not part of the organization.
aid stations - i was SLOW yesterday. at the end of the run, not only did every aid station still have water, infinit, ice and fruit but also COOKIES. THANK YOU. The volunteers at the aid stations acted like i was the first guy through and were very excited to see me. (even though 1000 people were ahead of me)
Tee shirt - technical, a good color, good fit. I will actually wear it. and not to wash the car. THANK YOU.
Some comments for the racers
please don’t throw your trash everywhere on the course. the volunteers were doing their best to clean up the aid stations so throw out things there. i saw trash miles from aid stations which the homeowners will have to clean up. I want to keep coming back to racine so let’s not piss off the locals. i understand some things get dropped but this was more than that.
continue to be nice to everyone. my wife thought I was nuts for doing this race. now she wants to do it next year because everyone seemed to have so much fun and was sooooo nice.
Indeed! I was also surprised at the lack of posts in praise of the race. HFP has done a great job with this event - I don’t know how they manage to do it, but it just gets better every year. You’re right about the community really embracing the event - you won’t find a better bunch of volunteers anywhere.
Just when I thought my town was crap… It great to hear praise for this tri in Racine. I saw that helicopter get pretty low over the transition area and I thought, that is going to make a mess. I walked over there and everyone of the volunteers were scrambling around making sure everyones stuff was ready for T2. Great job by HPF racing. I wonder what the addition of the 101 series is going to do to the event in 2008?
Totally agree with everything you said. The race was great and the volunteers were fantastic. First time I’ve done the race and I’ll be back. At the end of the race it felt like the bottom of my feet were on fire so I went to the med tent for 2 bags of ice, nothing seriously wrong with me, just wanted some relief for my feet. As I sat there my feet on top of the ice bags, a volunteer without my even asking or hinting, started dumping ice cold water on my feet. It was great.
Pretty cool to have Lisa Bentley come flying by me for her win as I was finishing my first loop.
Really? I didn’t have another woman come flying by me before her and she had the motorcycle behind her so I just assumed she’d won. I should check the results next time. You also came flying by me and I said “good job” but I think you were pretty focused on what you were doing.
Sorry about your extended bike ride yesterday, You passed me on the run, when I noticed your #13 and name on your belt. I gave you a GO RAPPSTAR as you sped away. I was wondering why all the women were ahead of you. Nice to see you go ahead and finish and get a workout in instead of calling it quits. Good luck with the rest of the season.
Definately a great event. Glad they got the start situation straightened out from last year. It really is a well supported race. Nice to feel comfortable going through intersections knowing that a cop is there directing traffic. I said thanks to most of them. Rappstar you passed me on the run too.
at the same time, this was my 3rd Racine and by far the most crowded, what with the increase in participants over previous years. not so sure I liked that so much. it was hard to ride legally at times, particularly in the first 3mi…thank goodness the refs were being considerate (or absent) in those chaotic miles thru town. the addition of the second down-n-up beach tour on the first part of the run was an unpleasant surprise too, but I actually smiled wryly at that one. still love the course, and looking forward to the 101 event in 08.
yes, yes…do tell! * * I was about to “pass” at a bike water station but I slowed and gave you a gap again…then had almost “caught” you and was ready to give you the same shiite I’d given every other red ETTX driver on the day but you pulled over to chat with the moto before I could follow thru. good grief, I almost “passed” Rappstar and he still denied me the glory of the moment. what was up??
I am thinking about making this my end of season 1/2 next year as Steelhead is the day before my student-athletes report for preseason and it is not going to be fun waking up on sunday only to get everything cranking for the season.
I’ve raced at Racine twice. I agree, a great race, great venue and support. The run through the neighborhood with the kids spraying you with water is awesome.
My only complaint was the chip pickup on race morning – big lines and major stress just getting your chip. I don’t know why they didn’t just give it to you when you pick up your packet the day before. Did you get your chip before race morning this year?
