I was going through the athlete info and saw this little run mentioned. I’m not concerned about it, just curious if it has been there in the past and what the nature of this little jaunt is so that I can be prepared for it. Can I do it barefoot or do I need to be worried about stepping on something? I’d like to avoid stashing my run shoes at the swim exit if at all possible–I’m used to doing 1 or 2 min runs out of T1 barefoot…should I be making plans to use their shoe pickup at swim exit? If it has been there in the past, was this included in the swim splits or T1 of prev. results?
Also, I’m staying at the Sheraton 4 Points Cumberland House or whatever it’s called. Is that a pretty good spot? It seems to be fairly close to everything, but it’s hard to tell from the map view whether I can travel (walk) from hotel to swim or hotel to race expo as the crow flies or if there’s a bunch of junk in the way. I’m arriving in Knox on Friday evening so I’ll have plenty of time to get the lay of the land.
Final question: my girlfriend is traveling with me–are there any fun activities around the race site/expo on Saturday that will keep her entertained without totally gassing my legs for Sunday?
I did it last year, and running barefoot to T1 is not a big issue. I can’t recall if they had mats out or what, but I don’t recall it being a problem. I don’t think I saw anyone stash shoes.
You mean .3 miles takes you more than 1 minute at race pace? /pink
They always do a great job of sweeping the run areas and/or laying down mats over anything rougher than a sidewalk.
Hotel is close enough that you should walk down. 5-8 minutes at most.
Does she like to shop? Market Square and Gay Street are both full of cool stores. There’s a movie theatre, and a bistro that often has live music, even during the day.
Yeah, I mean now that I think about it .3mi is really not that far. I just didn’t want to be the only one unprepared if the run were fairly rugged for bare feet.
Glad to know that it’s such a short walk.
Sending her “shopping” downtown may actually be a safer bet than shopping around the race expo—she’s like 100632% less likely to buy something out of a store that doesn’t sell neon colored Tri gear.
I’m racing Knoxville this weekend as well. I asked past participants and they stated the run from swim exit to T1 isn’t bad at all. I also emailed Rev3 and the response I received was they added the shoe drop option this year based on feedback after last year’s race. Still not sure what I will do. I’m pretty sure the swim practice on Saturday is held from the swim exit area so should be able to check out the swim exit to T1 situation at that time. Good luck to you. This will be my first 70.3 distance race.
did the race last year. The run is not an issue. When you get out of the water you run on a wood deck and through the UT boat house (which is carpeted for the race). they you run diagnolly across a smooth paved road and into the covered cement parking garage. There wasn’t an issue with barefoot that I had, and the complaints are probably coming from folks that complain about everything else in life.
To answer your other question: The expo is really cool, but geared more for the family then a couple.
Sorry Zack, I’m going to piggy back… But I’ll see you there!
What were the thoughts on that bike course? Mostly short kicker hills or a solid climb or two? Just trying to mentally prep. The point to point seems a little strange in how it’s set up, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.
The bike is short hills, nothing too terribly long, but you will constantly be changing gears up in the hills. I think the longest climb was a 1/2 mile at most. Roads are baby smooth though! The first 3 miles is odd because you are literally riding on the Freeway going opposite of traffic (freeway is closed though). The point to point classification is only a technicality. The T-1/2 area and the finish are 1/5 mile apart. Not a logistical nightmare like most point to points.
That’s what confused me, I didn’t understand why they were that close! I remember a race in Utah where they gave everyone a large garbage bag for your wetsuit/transition bag etc. They later trucked them to the finish, but I’m glad this is not along that style.
I’ve been there 3 times, and the bike course is a mix of both. Some shorter climbs, but also a few that are about 3 minutes or so to climb. Nothing sustained, but more than just something you stand and power over.
What part is point to point? The swim? If so, you walk upstream to the start and about 1/3 of the course heads away from the swim exit and the final 2/3 goes downstream to the swim exit.
They said on the athletes guide that t1, t2 were point to point, but after relentless mentioned it, they’re just separate, not really traveling anything out of the way there. I have been looking at swim times, that could be a fun way to “pr”
Thanks for the bike course description. As long as nothing is 10+ minutes long of climbing, that was what I was wondering. Any false flats?
I didn’t read the athlete’s guide that closely. I assumed it will be the same as last year, both T1 and T2 are in the parking garage.
The bike course is fun. There are no flats, pretty much up or down, with a pretty fun technical descent around mile 21-22 (From what I remember). It’s an honest course, not overly difficult, but definitely not easy. Biggest part is being aware where the HIM and Oly courses split. Even though it is marked, it seems as though a few people get this wrong every year and turn the wrong direction.
