Looks like a lot of turns, about 28 180s and 40 90s.
http://chicago.triathlon.org/athlete_info/elite/elite_course
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Looks very spectator friendly!
Odd, the circle around the fountain. . . isn’t that a crushed brick type surface? Pretty sure its not paved. Pancake flat except for that little diversion onto Jackson, it runs downhill to Michigan Avenue, and if they jam it out of that turnaround back up the slight hill, it could certainly cause some separation. With that many turns, it could become quite technical, an escape should have a solid chance of staying away.
Isn’t the same course as the ITU guys? That’s a normal set up for ITU with all the hairpins and 90 degree turns.
This is the ITU guys’ course. AG hasn’t been finalized (to my knowledge).
What are the odds that I would be in Chicago that weekend anyway? With a booked hotel overlooking the venue? Gaaah! I need to recruit a relay team!
Odd, the circle around the fountain. . . isn’t that a crushed brick type surface? Pretty sure its not paved. y.
not anymore— it was this crushed red gravel surface, but a few years ago they put in concrete “bricks” around the fountain… http://www.unilock.com/blog/historic-buckingham-fountain-in-chicago-undergoes-a-renovation-with-unilock/
The point was to make it ADA compliant -
Agreed, that seems like a lot of 180s for the pro course.
Also, AG course has been up for a bit. Topic of much debate. ‘Highlighting’ Chicago’s subterranean levels: http://chicago.triathlon.org/event_info/course