Why are most tri's scheduled on Sundays?

Triathlon Forum
1

I love Saturday races. It’s sooo much easier to take off the Friday before a Saturday race than the Monday after a race. It’s awesome to have Sunday to rest/bask on the Saturday effort. It just seems to make sense that a Saturday would make more sense than a Sunday for a race. Why then are most races scheduled on Sundays?

The only reason that makes sense to me is that Sundays may be less disruptive than Saturdays because Sundays are usually more of a rest day for the general population, however I don’t see much difference in traffic patterns on Sundays. Also, I have seen a few Saturday races put on in metropolitan areas without any issues. So what gives? Give me a Saturday tri’s!!!

2

You’re describing exactly why I prefer Sunday races most of the time. An out of town Sunday race is still possible not to take any time off work.

3

You’re describing exactly why I prefer Sunday races most of the time. An out of town Sunday race is still possible not to take any time off work.Exactly. Especially if the race requires packet pickup and is within a reasonable short driving distance, you can drive up on Saturday, packet pickup, race sunday and drive back after the race. No need for vacation time.

4

I’m with you. The few saturday races I’ve had have worked out really well. Knowing I still have Sunday to sleep in and relax before heading back to work makes it feel like I’m getting an extra day.

I thought it might be due to traffic, but having never been an RD, I don’t know if this is true.

5

I hate “big” Sunday races myself except for that you can get a cheaper rate on a Sunday night hotel vs an extra Thur/Fri night.

I prefer to have my big races (HIM/IM/Marathon) on Saturday, celebrate with a night on the town, wake up late and get a giant brunch Sunday and then go home.

6

I love Saturday races. It’s sooo much easier to take off the Friday before a Saturday race than the Monday after a race. It’s awesome to have Sunday to rest/bask on the Saturday effort. It just seems to make sense that a Saturday would make more sense than a Sunday for a race. Why then are most races scheduled on Sundays?

The only reason that makes sense to me is that Sundays may be less disruptive than Saturdays because Sundays are usually more of a rest day for the general population, however I don’t see much difference in traffic patterns on Sundays. Also, I have seen a few Saturday races put on in metropolitan areas without any issues. So what gives? Give me a Saturday tri’s!!!

Races are Sunday so you can still get in your Saturday Brick workout without an excuse LOL

7

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1566945
.

8

Local races, within say a couple of hours driving time, I’d prefer Saturday, then I can spend Sunday cleaning up bike etc. after driving home Saturday night.

Out of town I prefer Sunday. Then I can get up on Monday, drive out there, have time to check in, check out a new course and relax a bit. Then, drive back home on Sunday after the race.

If the race has a bike or other checkin that has to be done the day before the race needs to be on a Sunday so I can get to checkin on Saturday. I suspect this is at least part of the reason that races are on Sunday’s.

9

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1566945

Whaaaaaahhhh. I know. But seriously so many of them are on Sunday that I was expecting some clear reason (aka money-related reason) that I haven’t thought about. You would think the split would be more 50-50 but it’s more like 90-10 Sunday-Saturday. There’s got to be a money reason behind it…

10

I much prefer Saturday running races. I like to taper/take it easy for a few days before races, and this way I can still get in a long bike ride on Sunday. I don’t like doing a 50+ mile ride the day before a running race…

11

You see this with running events too. They’re all on Sunday. I’m going to go with its easier and cheaper to get road closure permits on a Sunday.

12

A few thoughts:

  1. Saturdays are full of kids activities so the streets are much busier as are the parks etc.
  2. Given #1, volunteers are probably easier to find on Sunday.
  3. Sunday race allows the RD’s etc. to do what they need Saturday afternoon and evening.
  4. Police probably prefer the Sunday O/T rather than Saturday.
13

Because it is easier to get road permits for a Sunday as there is less traffic on the roads and less businesses open.

Of course if your route goes past a lot of churches, especially in the bible belt, then Sunday can be tough

14

A lot of my local races used to be Saturday but have now switched to Sunday. I miss the Saturday ones!

15

All the reasons posted are good. For me, when I’m trying to make that bike-run transition I’m saying my prayers . . .

16

The RD/volunteers needs Saturday to set up the race. Tri organisation is not a career, most organisers will have other jobs during the week.

17

You hit on the head, most Race directors have day jobs and most permits for a Sat race, will make you pay for Friday and Sunday, either way, plus most volunteers won’t want to give up this day also, most work during the week and have home and family stuff to do, my 2 cents
.

18

I love Saturday races.

me, too. i filter optional (usually local) races by that/
peggy

19

Because it is easier to get road permits for a Sunday as there is less traffic on the roads and less businesses open.

Of course if your route goes past a lot of churches, especially in the bible belt, then Sunday can be tough

^^^^This.

It came from running, where getting road closures was difficult on other days.

It’s less of an issue now that many businesses are open 7-days, but go back 30 years…

20

You’re describing exactly why I prefer Sunday races most of the time. An out of town Sunday race is still possible not to take any time off work.

^^^ this. I can do a 70.3 or other larger race that required Sat. packet pick-up up to about 5-6 hours away without taking a day off work.

It’s also easier to close roads on a Sunday morning/afternoon… than even a Sat. morning.