The debut Soma Triathlon 2004 in Tempe, AZ absolutely lived up to being one of the best year-end triathlons to do. It was one of the most well organized tris I’ve done. Red Rock Company which is a sport events mgt co in AZ was the race organizer.
It was a treat to have Paula Newby-Fraser host and MC the event. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the dinner “Night of Champions” where you could mingle and listen to Faser, Huddle, Roch Frey, Chris Legh, and Heather Fuhr.
The event was Half Ironman and Quarter (Olympic) distances. Half Iron triathletes did 2 loops for each event the swim, bike, and run.
I want to make a point, that the officiating on the swim was the FAIREST and one of the best executed. I can’t tell you how many other tris I’ve been to where there are always so many people who blatantly cut the swim course or “miss a buoy” on purpose to post a better swim time, and they get away with because they were not given penalties or DQed. The Soma tri had people in the kayaks officiating the swim pulled anyone who cut the course to go back and go around the buoy. Kudos to the race management.
Swim: The swim was in Tempe Town Lake which is a man made smaller lake. Very calm waters and the water was clean because I believe it is used as drinking water. Water was 65 degrees -sounded cold but it was not once you got moving. There was a last minute change for the swim course. Instead of being an out and back course for the Half Iron, they changed it to a triangular course with the Quarter doing 1 loop and the Half doing 2 loops. I thought this might present some logistical difficulties because the Quarter triathlete waves would be going off just as the Half iron age groupers were starting the 2nd loop and the Half Iron pros would be catching up with the Half Iron age groupers. It was congested but not as bad as I had thought it would be. As I had predicted I was starting my 2nd loop just as the Quarter triathletes started their wave on the swim and that was the worst congestion. Other than that, the swim went smoothly.
Bike: I’m not from AZ so I can’t tell you the specifics and location of the bike route. The bike course was flat and fast with some slight head winds. Roads were closed to traffic. Very safe with police there to ensure no cars were pulled onto the course. This is where everyone could see Chris Legh far ahead by at least 7 minutes ahead of the 2nd place pro on the bike. Very scenic with mountains in the backdrop. Can’t remember but I believe there were 2 aid stations with water, Cytomax, bananas, etc.
Run: Run was 2 loops around the Tempe Park Beach. Relatively flat with some slight inclines and it went over 2 bridges.
Volunteers: Good aid stations serving Cytomax, water, GU, and ice. Spiritied and encouraging volunteers.
Great Soma triathlon overall and well-organized. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Thanks to Paul Newby-Fraser for MCing - her directions were clear and she was enthusiastic. She announced everyone’s name and where they were from as the triathletes crossed the finish line.
