Thoughts on Late Afternoon/Evening Triathlon - Band/Party Finish

thunderdouble · May 7, 2022, 1:54pm

Looking for feedback!

What are everyoneâ€™s thoughts on a Saturday afternoon triathlon that finishes by 6PM with entertainment/downtown family party atmosphere to follow. (Live band, food vendors, beer cart, kids games etc)

The goal primarily being to show up, race hard, enjoy a night with friends. Give an opportunity for volunteers to enjoy themselves as well.

Is anyone doing this well currently? Would like to look at athlete guides etc.
Is an afternoon start time attractive?
Is this attractive to those of you with families?
Would you stick around or leave after the race? (Sprint/oly)

Bike security - would offer the ability to store your bike in a safe location if you didnâ€™t want it racked on your vehicle.

Other general thoughts?

sthwaite · May 7, 2022, 2:44pm

Are you looking at Olympic distance? FWIW, I’m signed up for IM 70.3 Lahti (Finland) on 2 July which does this (~3:30pm start) - the tagline is to race “under the Nordic midnight sun” - https://www.ironman.com/im703-finland

I can report back post-race but first thoughts are that it could be quite a good format.

Makes travel more efficient as even if you have to fly, you can rack in the morning (instead of the day before), race afternoon/evening, crash 1 night, and leave the next day
no 4am alarm

I’ll have to think more carefully about pre-race nutrition instead of just breakfast + go
The whole morning leaves a lot of time for pre-race nerves…
I’d expect to be way too hyped to sleep afterwards

Race-day schedule from https://www.ironman.com/im703-finland-athletes

Saturday, 2nd July 2022 / RACE DAY
FROM TO
9.00 10.00 Athlete Registration, Sibeliustalo
10.00 22.00 IRONMAN VILLAGE open, Sibeliustalo
10.00 14.00 Bike and gear check-in, Sibeliustalo event venue
10.30 11.30 Head referee onsite, Info-tent
14.00 15.25 White bag drop off, Sibeliustalo
14.00 15.00 Access to Transition Area (no Bike & Gear Check In)
15.15 15.45 AG and teams rolling start
19.15 Male AG winner crosses the Finish Line
19.35 Female AG winner crosses the Finish Line
At midnight Finish Line closes, last athletes on the Finish Line
20.00 1.00 Bike & gear check-out at Transition Zone

caffeinatedtri · May 7, 2022, 2:48pm

Sounds like a great format. Where are you thinking of doing it.

Matt_J · May 7, 2022, 2:55pm

Am also curious, what market and what distances?

But, yes, sounds fun.

Let us know how it goes.

thunderdouble · May 7, 2022, 9:03pm

It would be in Iowa!

Thanks for the positive feedback!

unicat141 · May 7, 2022, 9:19pm

This is good stuff!

Mark_Lemmon · May 7, 2022, 11:30pm

I’ve enjoyed multiple running races over the years with an evening finish following by a post-race party as described and would love not having to get up in the dark to race a tri. I assume there have been few tris that have done this because of logistical issues that you don’t have with a 5K or 10K running race. Good luck!

Jnags7 · May 8, 2022, 2:38am

My first thought is permitting for road closures - I’m assuming earlier in the day is easier on general population (for the same reasons group rides are earlier in the day - the traffic just gets worse thru the day).

There’s definitely a good amount of evening running races around here tho so maybe the road closure isn’t an issue.

Titanflexr · May 8, 2022, 4:41am

I’ve done a couple of these (ex. the Vineman “Showdown at Sundown”). They never seem to last more than a year or two, despite being (at least to my eye) well attended. I’m guessing it has to do with traffic/permitting issues.

B.McMaster · May 8, 2022, 4:00pm