Well, everyone has their own experience and opinion. I found the course to be extremely well marked, in fact I have no idea how you could possibly get off course. There was a cone like every 100 feet, I just don’t get it. Last year the rant was that it was too crowded, so he made it 2 longer laps instead of 3 shorter ones, and the course was extremely wide in some areas, too tight for 3 across in others but never a problem (for me). I did have the same issue as the first poster making the turn, even though I knew exactly where it was…the volunteer shouted something that made me think I was supposed to go further down, and then another one corrected but too late. Flat tires, well, why didn’t you carry a spare? If you didn’t, then you took the chance. I saw someone walking their flat tired bike in as I was completing the run (probably you then)…there were not too many still on the bike at that time, so I think it is an unfair to criticise them for not allowing you back on the course “officially”, and how would they verify you went back to where you left anyway. Besides, why would you care about your timing chip at that point? Running out of water at the finish…I don’t know, maybe they miscalculated but fercrisakes, walk over to the water fountain 400M from the finish and have all you want.
All in all, this was a well run race. They made some nice improvements over last year, and last year was not nearly so bad as people have been making it seem. It sort of burns my ass when someone makes a big deal, suggesting we protest the race organizer on an international forum, over such minor things. Putting these races on is very hard, and 3Disciplines is doing a better than average job for the money. I feel bad for them with Red Rock putting events on the schedule right next to established 3Disciplines events…WTF? You can say “may the best event survive” but I fear they both will be in trouble with only half the participation they would otherwise get.
If you are a big cry baby, I suggest you avoid this event, practically every other local event, Wildflower, World’s Toughest, IMNZ, etc, etc, etc. I mean, this is supposed to be a challenge, when did triathletes become so wimpy! Geez, we have to expect them to fix our flat tires for us? What is this coming to?
Protest 3D? Are you nuts? Last thing we need is to protest race organizers! If you have improvements to suggest, why don’t you email them to the director. I did exactly that concerning the turn on the bike and was given a nice response.
Since 3D has been slammed here before, let me go on the record as saying, from my prespective, last years race was on par in terms of safety, concessions, and whatever else, with the majority of the races I have done (I’ve been racing tri since 1987). The long swim was my only complaint, and even then, so what…more for your money. This years race was easily among the best courses I have seen and an overall improvement over last year. I’ve seen bigger finishing parties, but ya gotta get a beer sponsor if you want a great post race party!
Dan