Figured I’d put this on another thread just cause I know how things have a tendency to devolve:
So, seeing as things have changed – anybody got recommendations for races that still have that hometown, hang out feel?
I’ve now crossed St. Anthony’s and Wildflower off my list cause they just ain’t what they used to be.
SM
Gulf Coast was fun last year. Plus they had beer at the finish…
If you are looking to big races for soul you won’t find it. The races with soul are the small 50-100 person biathlons put on by the local bike shop.
Here’s my first post to ST forum. More to follow. Love the discussions.
Anyways, in reply to the races that have that hometown feel, go to:
The race organizers, Faron and Heleen, are a wonderful tri-couple. Their hearts are into everything they do for multisport activities. Venues are great (Fresno foothills and Sierra mountains). Post race meals are always more than just bananas and bagels.
Chris
I’ve gotta’ agree. We have some pretty well run local du’s in this area. I ran the VA Du a few weeks ago. It had a great “Grass Roots” kind of feel, but it was still a Du World’s Qualifier (not that I had to worry about that). The race was extremely well organized, and just 15 minutes from VA Beach. Definitely a nice way to start the season. But running onto the bike vice swimming onto the bike… don’t expect me to hang-up the wetsuit anytime soon.
Joel
Any of the local sprint/Oly tris up here in Ontario.
What is up with these races on the west coast? I was reading that race report for the world toughest half, a $200 entry fee and the author was excited about getting a dri-release t-shirt and a can of Cytomax. Frankly, that sucks. Where I’m from may be one of the worst places to train, but Louisiana races are the best in my opinion. Rivercities sprint has a $65 entry fee, but the goody bag is worth about $250. Beer? If there is one race here that doesn’t serve beer and hot Cajun dishes after the race, I haven’t been to it. the average sprint race cost about $45 and you don’t have to sign up a year in advance. But, I have a preference for low-key, laid back events. I would much rather have good food after the race than a race expo and pre-race meetings.
For a very good 1/2 IM, check out Iron Star, north of Houston in October. The lake is nice and clean, the bike course is rolling hills on smooth roads. The entry fee is about $100 and the race did not fill last year until about a month in advance (600 participants). The race takes place at a golf resort with on site hotel. Our balcony overlooked the transition area. I much preferred the atmosphere, weather, and race course to that of the higher profile Gulf Coast 1/2 IM in Florida. This year they are adding beer at the post race party (it must be the influence of the Louisiana participants).
dave judice
Thanks, Dave. Will check it out. Want to do a half or two towards the end of the season. Houston sounds like it could be a good optioin. Cheap flights into there also. I gotta belive there are a lot more races out there like this one.
SM
It’s a first year race in my hometown, but it’s included in the Party Tour, put on by the great folks at TriSports.com as a non-profit venture, has an Xterra course designed by Jimmy Riccitello and is guaranteed to have that small town feel 'cause, dang it, it’s in a small town!
Check it out at www.trisportsracing.com and then make the decision to come play in the pines at 6500’. You know you want to! 
G
yep 50-100 person tri’s and du’s
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Does it matter the distance? How’s about Degray Lake Half-IM in Arkadelphia, AR. Can’t get much more hometown than that? Check out @ parksidecycle.com
Pelican Point Triathlon (now called Grand Man) in Fairhope, AL. Put on by Erica and Jeff Pollock (Erica is an elite-level triathlete).
A second big thumbs up for Pelican Point. And hopefully no more “freak currents in Weeks Bay” for the new incarnation of the race. (I actually liked the swim last year, but came out of the race with a nagging low grade shoulder problem because of it)
If you’re within about four hours of New Orleans, you really can’t go wrong with the races in those parts where Bill Burke is the RD. Good races, good food, reasonable entry fees.
Another Panhandle recommendation- Destin Crab Trap sprint in the middle of October.
Come on up to Martha’s Vineyard this summer. We hold weekly show n go sprint triathlons; between 10 and 30 people come out and have at it. Great fun, lots of comraderie, no entry fees, keen competition.
The Crested Butte Bank Offroad tri in Crested Butte, Co. It is an Xterra points race, but it will probably always have a laid back feel to it (only 150 or so in its inaugural year).
Its at altititude and its far from Denver so the chances of it ever becoming huge are slim. You get a solid local showing and the area is amazing. Crested Butte is one damn nice place to be in July.
Plenty pf places to stay, from nice hotels to camping. You can fly in from Denver (but you may have to ship your bike separately).
Justin D
Jacksonville, Fl has a GREAT 3 race series. BFAST - Beaches Fine Arts Triathlon series. Great course, 1/4 mile swim in the Atlantic (parallel to shore), 13.5 mile super fast bike course, 5k run out and back. They limit the field to 500, so its small. I no longer do St Anthony’s or the Clermont Sprint Series since the courses are WAY TOO CROWDED!
The best food I’ve seen in 13 years at a race is the JAX Series. Sticky Fingers BBQ - its awesome!! When I first started racing 14 years ago, Charlottesville Triathlon ( at Lake Monticello) used to serve BBQ chicken, pasta and tons of beer. The chicken was prepared right at the race site! It was a great race and great food. It was the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.
Try Buffalo Springs Lake Tri(1/2 IM) in Lubbock Tx. Well run challenging course IM qualifer BEER at finish results updated as people finish and awards latter that evening at the host hotel with food , if you wish to go.
Any of the local sprint/Oly tris up here in Ontario.
that’s good to hear Cerveloguy, I’ll be doing Smith’s Falls in June - my first tri. looking forward to it.
If you’re in eastern Ontario I’ll recommend a few others - Kingston, Brockville and of course Ottawa. Really like the Kingston/Brockville downtowns. Ottawa is great because the bike loop is closed to automobiles and the run is along the canal. All good venues IMO.