Square Lake: Getting Better

Triathlon Forum
1

In the past, lots of people here have trashed the Square Lake half.

I did it three or four years ago and found it to be a low-key affair, but not a terrible race.

I did the race again last weekend and it has greatly improved. Police on the course stopping traffic, a bottle exchange on the bike, water and gatoraid at every mile on the run. The field was deep, with the winner going 4:01 on a slightly short course (2-300m short on the swim, and about 1 mile short on the bike), and lots of guys under 4:30.

Although I’d still like it if they’d change the bike course to avoid 95, I’ll be back to do this race again.

2

That’s good news. I did the 1/2 the first year they had it and it couldn’t have been worse. The aid stations back then consisted of a big thermous on the side of the road and a sleeve of cups. Seriously. You had to poor your own water, which was very hard because there was no clearance under the spout. No food either. IIRC, Annie Hed ran to the store and bought a bunch of stuff for the athletes. Ahh, the good old days :). Glad to hear it is getting better though. It really is a great venue. Too bad it falls on the same weekend as IMWI.

3

The course was unmarked and lacked a volunteer at one corner for the sprint. But I love to race in that area of MN

4

I train there for biking almost every day. I sometimes take it for granted, but it is one of the best places to train that I have ever seen. (rant begins) As for the race, I did it last year and it was poorly organized. This year, I did another race by the same RD. It was just as poorly organized. I don’t like trashing people on the boards, but it ibecomes a matter of safety. Someone will die soon and then everyone will wonder why nothing was done about it. (rant over)

5

Randy has nothing but good intentions but I fully agree with you.

6

that part of the twinicities really is beautiful and great to get away from the traffic + the lake is nice and clean (unlike the city lakes!).

but seriously - “short” courses are quite a pet peeve of mine. if i was a race director I would:

  1. ride (not drive) the entire bike and run courses 1 week before the race along with a friend and compare bike computers, as well as bring my garmin gps for a triple check.

  2. drive the course with a gps a few days before to see if anything changed at all and to re-check my distances.

how hard is that?

7

how was last year poorly organized? i did it and had nothing but good things to say.

8

I did the Sprint this year and thought that Randy and his crew did a good job. With all of the bashing this event has taken in the past, I guess
I was expecting the worst, but came away wanting to do it again next year. The course is definitely one of the most challenging Sprint races
in the upper midwest with a very competitive field.

tbro