Danskin Chicagoland sprint tri
14
Member
1196 days
triumph posted 3 years ago.
MP, sounds like you could be writing about the Austin Danskin. With around 3600 (!) competitors, this race is way overgrown and the logistics are a nightmare. While I have to give credit to Danskin for doing a great job at supporting women to enter tri, I sure wish organizers would figure out how to decrease congestion. Waiting at pre-race day packet pick up. . .waiting for buses. . .waiting for swim entry. . .waiting to get back into transition at end. It all makes for a very long race weekend. But no question I'll do it again next year because for all that waiting, the excitement and fun are even greater.
494
Member
1340 days
vollenda posted 3 years ago.
I guess I was lucky I did the Los Angeles Danskin. There were only about 600 women in the race. You'd think it would be bigger in a city this size. :rolleyes: Now I'm torn between getting more people to tri & enjoy the fun or being selfish & hope it stays small. Still, like you said, the atmosphere was amazing for first timers and I'm glad it was my first.
Lisa :)
My blog: http://vollenda.trifuel.net/
325
Member
1642 days
jeslol posted 3 years ago.
That's a Danskin race for ya. I did Denver last year (and headed back again this weekend) and that was my same thoughts. The race is great! But the parking, walking, waiting for 30 waves to take off before yours, etc. is a bit annoying. You'd think they could add a couple more races to the series to try and spread out the participants. Or even if they did 35- on Sat and 35+ on Sun...something to bring down the chaos level. However, it's a pretty darn organized event for 3000+ women. It seems chaotic because how big is your average tri? The next largest race I've done is 500 max.
Good course, fast and flat (the only hills are bridges!), swim is a straight line and clean water. Very hot race in the sun, little shade and not much water for the weather.
Logistics, however, are TERRIBLE! Rack your bike the day before, but set up transition that morning. Parking is remote and racers and spectators bussed in from distant fields serving as parking lots. Lots of waiting and walking before the race. Traffic was heavy on the way in so many people were late setting up transition.
I finished early and so went to get something to eat and then came back to get my bike at the end of the race. They closed the roads going into the race so I couldn't get within two miles of the transition area. After some discussion with local police and race officials, they let me go into about a mile from transition, but I had to walk another mile and then ride my bike back out. Not fun in the heat and after racing!
Race atmosphere is wonderful, great for first timers, Sally Edwards is terrific, but venue is NOT practical for such large numbers.
Administration also a little iffy, couldn't get online registration to work and when I went to register toward the end of the day, they had moved things around so no one was sure where to go next and they had run out of bags and Large shirts.