Has anyone had experience with this triathlon? I just want to get a tri in during May before season gets underway and it seems to be my closest without any conflict on my calendar. Wasn’t sure to expect from the “World’s largest recirculating pool.” ?? Any info would be appreciated.
I’ve done it a couple years back. Its a good event as a first-tri-of-the-year type race.
Its held at an old amusement park that is in the flood zone of the Ohio River. It could be considered slightly creepy because it is not yet open for the season, and it is constructed to standards anticipating it may all wash away every ten years- but the venue is plenty adequate.
The “world largest recirculating pool” is just a large pool. It is pretty big- check out google maps to see for yourself. The swim course is laid out in a star pattern to make the swim a decently long continuos distance. Shannon (HFP racing) uses lane lines and buoys and it all makes sense when you get there. This is SO much better than swimming a snake pattern in a regular pool like a lot of early season triathlons. This is a legit “open water” swim- you just have to turn a little more. Bring your wetsuit too- the water is still quite cold since they will have just filled it up.
The bike course is along the road by the river, out to Lunkin Field (airport), around the airport on a bike path and return. There are some busy spots but the two years that I did the race police presence was fantastic. I had no conflicts with cars or other traffic.
The run is in and around the park, going through some parking lots, by a lake, and then under some of the rides. Watch for clowns and/or carnies.
The event supports Tri for Joe (an organization started by the family of Joe, boy with Downs) and they get a ton of volunteers and participants out. People that “know Joe” wear colored shirts that say so- and it makes it a really nice event for a good cause. Plus, with all of the HFP races the price is right- just have appropriate expectations for a beginning of the season event.
And if you are traveling in (and have your car) staying in downtown Cincinnati is a great option. Its a pretty quick drive to the venue (and there will be no traffic on race morning) and staying downtown can make the weekend an easy sell on the family.
Let me know if you need anything more specific.
Jared
Agree with the above 100%. I will add that the huge pool is spring fed and COLD.
I did the race the first 2 years as well (incidently Mr. Woodford won it both times! I remember because he was WAY out in front - I was 5th). It has gotten pretty large for a local/sprint tri (around 500 people), but mostly newbs since a pool swim isn’t as daunting, flat/easy course, etc. All for a very good cause with many wonderful Down’s syndrome kids/people around the course full of smiles.
I agree that this is a good first event of the year. The only issue I’ve had with it in the past is with the swim. The water is cold but that’s not too big of a deal. The problem I had was that the pool’s depth varies anywhere from just a few inches to 10 feet or whatever it is. When you’re in deeper whatever everything’s fine however it’s the shallow areas that caused me a little irritation.
I just remember standing and running through a few sections of the swim because of how shallow the water was.
Other than that, I think the event was very well run and a lot of fun.
Thanks for all of the information everyone. Sounds decent. One concern from looking at the event page website is that the picture looks like a smaller “open” water type swim… does everyone swim on top of eachother? Looks like a lot of people in a small space to swim in. At least in open water you can get your own space if you want it.
I know they will break the swim into multiple waves. As to how effective this is in reducing crowding I cannot attest (I wasn’t back there). But since it is just one loop around the “star” course I would imagine it spreads out enough- and also being the third or fourth year of the event I’d guess HFP has it pretty well figured out by now.
babump-
I totally forgot about the shallow sides! Haha, I guess one could chose to make it a “duathlon” if they are good at Baywatch running.
Yes, it is pretty crowded during the swim for some AG and actually it is 2 laps if I remember correctly (haven’t done it in 3 years). The long stretch back is very shallow and you can actually walk if need be, but swimming should still be faster (even for me) 
I’ve not done this race, but I can vouch for HFP races. I did 4 of their tri’s my first season and all were awesome, and that’s after I raced about 20 of their running-only races Shannon led as Run Wild Racing. When I lived in ohio, anytime I did an event put on by someone other than Run Wild/HFP, I always could tell the difference. They always had everything you’d expect from a top notch race. If my wife finds a job back in the somewhat triathlon deprived midwest, I’ll be super stoked to at least be doing HFP races again.
rroof, yes I am an age grouper and usually in the middle of the pack. I am hoping this season shows some improvement, but either way I don’t like to be swam over so thought I would see how brutal the small looking area would be. Maybe I just need to brave up and get at the front of the wave since its just a pool swim and has no lap lanes! The bike course and run sound decent though. I may look into this one.
Techknowgn that is good to know about the races they put on. I don’t live in Ohio but will keep that in mind for future race seasons. It is nice to know when a group puts on their races well!
Time Trial Starts for this year, will definitely be a great benefit for the swim, can’t wait!!!
Anyone know the current conditions down there? HFP just cancelled the race at Caesar Creek due to the lake being 20 ft. higher than normal. With all the rain we’ve had I’d expect the entire run course and transition area to be underwater.
They just cancelled some sort of Appalachian/Bluegrass festival there, so I assume not good. Sure has sucked doing road races in this stuff …
This is a great in the Cincinnati area. Actually, the swim is great. Nowhere else can you get an open water format swim in a HUGE recirculating pool. The swim is the best leg of the race in my opinion, and with TT starts this year, guaranteed to get better.
It is a great race. Ohio State will have a strong showing. The pool is interesting because there are many sharp turns. I may have ruined a couple peoples races on my second loop running over half the feild on the turns. Bike course is fast. Run is throught the park and flat. Afterwards you enjoy coney island and a couple beers