Pre-Race

The website was pretty but had minimal information. I ended up paying the late fee because there was nothing that gave a schedule of registration dates and the corresponding fees. A map of the run and bike course was posted a couple days prior to the race, but it turned out to be inaccurate.

I picked up my packet on the morning of the race and didn't have too much trouble. They let everyone pick up their own chip, which was quick, but I couldn't help but think that some people would end up with the wrong one.

There was no pre-race meeting the morning before, other than some brief directions right before each swim wave. No overview of the rules, making sure people buckle their helmets, stay to the right while not passing, etc. Fine for me, but newcomers probably needed these instructions, judging from the number of bikers riding alone far to the left.

Swim

Good course with good lifeguard support. It was a llittle chilly; I was glad I wore my wetsuit. The olympic athletes did have to wait a while for them to change the position of the buoys.. no big deal, though. Lifeguards were at the swim exit to direct people away from the sharp rocks, but several people ended up getting cut anyway. The first timing mat I crossed was when I exited the water, which I thought was strange. Usually they have you cross a mat when you go in and out so they can make sure that everyone who went into the water made it out.

Bike

Due to a light wind out of the south, I felt slow on the way out, and a little faster coming in. But, couldn't ask much more as far as weather condiditions.

Pretty good support coming in and out of Moody, but there were long stretches after that with no one there. Smooth course for the most part with a long straightaway on the seawall. There were a few turns that were gravelly.. a little hazardous. They could have had someone come out with a shovel before the race to clear off the roadkill on the shoulder where we were riding. It was nice to get a cold bottle of water at the turn-around point. While there may have been referees or motorcycle support on the course, I didn't see any. There were a few inconsiderate drivers that didn't give me a lot of room, but no close calls.

Run

Pretty good run support with volunteers at most turns. There was an aid station every mile, which was great. Unfortunately on my way back I had trouble getting water. At mile 4 they had run out of water, and at mile 5 they had run out of cups. I'm always kind of surprised when this happens at races, and I have seen it many times. It is simple math.. you know how many people have registered, so you need at least that many cups and enough water to fill all those cups. Personally it wasn't a major inconvience for me yesterday, but it ccould be a will-breaker for someone who is expecting water or gatorade to make it through the next mile.

There was kind of a cruel trick on the finishing stretch. As I turned what I thought was the last corner, I saw the finish line about 500m ahead and kicked it up a notch. However, part way down the road there was a turn-off with a little out-and back, about 400m or so. I do have to admit it kind of made me chuckle.

There were problems with cars on one stretch.. runners were running in both directions on an open street. I had to dodge cars several times.

Transitions and Timing

It was nice to have the transition area on a concrete covered surface, even if it was a little crowded. Security was absent. However I was comforted in knowing that there were a lot more expensive bikes there than mine, so it was unlikely to get swiped.

Timing mats were at the swim finish, the bike finish, and the run finish. So, no transition splits. There was no clock at the finish, and results have still not been posted as of two days after the race.

Post Race Party and Goodies

After crossing the finish line, I was looking for someone to hand me a cold bottle of water, but there was none. Actually there was no liquid of any kind, except beer, so I happily poured myself a glass of cold carbo-reloading goodness. I noticed later that they were mixing a new batch of gatorade in a large bowl. There were also a couple trays of mixed fruit.

The big race goodie was a light cotton sweatshirt similar to what you get at the Houston Marathon, but with a hood. I guess it will come in handy this November. Some people got nice water bottles, but they were out by the time I picked up my packet on race morning. Not much else in the goodie bag to speak of.

Summary

This is an event with a lot of potential. It is good to have another Oly and 1/2 IM race on the calendar in April, and the venue was great.

However, the poor organization of the race left me unsatisfied. When I pay $100 for an Oly race, I expect top-notch organization, support, post race party, goodies, etc. Clearly they fell short in all of these areas this year.

Will the race improve next year? Maybe, but likely not. After completing the race I researched the RD further and found that he has put on races in other parts of the country in Canada and they have been plagued with the same problems. I will not be doing this race next year.

The good:

1) Great venue
2) Could put on a full IM with no problem
3) Great host hotel and accommodations!!!!!!!!!!
4) Very nice volunteers
5) Clean, calm 65 degree water-no currents or boat traffic
6) Enough buoys to navigate properly
7) Professional rescue teams (county water rescue) on surf boards
8) Volunteers really were friendly and tried to help as much as possible
9) Great hooded sweatshirt

The bad:

1) Late start. Ben E. and I were in the 65 degree water for 45 minutes before HIS start. Longer for mine. Can you say hyperthermia???
2) Not enough police on the route. I was passed by two crotch rockets going at least 110 to 130 M/h!!! (professional speed estimate)
3) No water at the 2 and 4 mile marks. Plenty of GU-no water. Water on the wrong side of the street at the three mile mark but fortunately there was water at the 3.25 mile mark.
4) Like the Gulf Coast Tri, no shade.
5) Strange distance for the "international (?) distance"
6) No "bling" for the International distance finishers

The ugly:
1) Awards not presented until 3 PM
2) Lite beer and no real party
3) My chip malfunctioned and I did not get posted (I probably won).



The Great:
1) A great weekend with my best friends!!!!!!!! The only reason I do triathlons!!!!!!!!!

I am a newbie to the sport. I have completed one marathon, 2 5k's, two sprint tri's, 2 swim meets, and one olympic distance tri this year. To date the Galveston Olympic Tri is by far the worst ran event I have ever been involved in. It cost me $100.00 for a plane ticket, $50.00 in food, $10.00 in gas, $120.00 for a late entry. What did I get? Frost Bite, flat hot beer, dehydration, a sweat shirt, and the promise of "we will mail you a finisher t-shirt and medal? R-I-G-H-T! I phoned the following week because 6 of us did not get our shirts and medals. The gentleman that I spoke with took all of our information and promised me he would send all of our "stuff" to us. Well.... here it is May 3rd and guess what?? NOTHING, nor will he return any of my calls. Surprised? NOT! So... my profession is customer service so I will do what I can to use the best source of marketing that I know. Word of mouth! I am here to tell everyone that these event directors do not know JACK about putting on a tri.As a matter of fact they down right STINK! You know who can put on a good event? Jack and Ester Weiss. IronHead Race Productions. Sure the swag bag is nothing fancy but most are not anyway. But with Jack you know that for your money you get QUALITY,SAFETY, and FUN! Oh and WATER! Did I mention that Galveston ran out of water? How in the He** does that happen hummm....we are next to an ocean! :) Anyway...I had to vent thank you for allowing me to get this out of my system.