The Nation's Triathlon
110
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525 days
bhanrah posted 1 year ago.
I am interested in this event, but i heard last year the swim was canceled because the potomac was too nasty. I dont want to pay a lot and do a duathlon, and I don't imagine the potomac has gotten much cleaner.
448
Member
1227 days
Tamara posted 1 year ago.
I'm in DC and did the race last year. I'm pasting here the update provided to the DC Tri Club today by the race director... The swim permit wasn't denied due to water quality but instead just due to bureaucracy, etc... Even if it's not a tri, it was a great du. The chance to go screaming down the main roadways past the White House and the monuments on car-free roads was just awesome. Yes, it was and is very expensive. But for those of us in DC who want a big-city tri like NYC, LA, Chicago, Philly...we're doing what we can to support it and make it a reality.
I'll actually only be volunteering this year since we get back the night before from our HIM in Mexico, but hope to see you out there!
BEGIN COPIED TEXT:
Here's a quick update on the swim for The Nation's Triathlon. No swim permit yet.
Now having stated the obvious please understand that the process continues to move forward and we are talking to the right people at the right level. Ultimately we anticipate a successful conclusion and the issuance of the permit but we cant say for sure when it will happen. It may be the day before the race or it may be in a few weeks.
Everyone should also know however that water quality is NOT the concern and is NOT holding up the issuance of permit. The DC folks understand that the Potomac is clean enough to swim in as long as it hasn't rained. On race day we will have to prove that the water meets EPA standards for Class A use, basically the same standard used in NY, Philly, Pittsburgh, Deleware, etc and if it doesn't rain we're good to go. We've been testing for close to 2 years and can say the water, when it hasn't rained, is clean enough to swim in.
Please remember our goal is to bring triathlon to DC forever and this permit is the last real hurdle. DC has never issued one before so its a complicated process involving lots of cooks in the kitchen. A triathlete Mayor is our greatest supporter and I've been working on this for 24 months. I fully intend to keep the pedal to the metal to move it forward. The Nation's Triathlon my full time occupation so I'm putting all my time into this. Said another way I have absolutely NO intention working this hard to create the nation's duathlon.
So, in summary, no permit yet but all the signals and feedback are good. Thanks. Train safe.
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan
110
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525 days
bhanrah posted 1 year ago.
Tamara;71138 wrote:
Everyone should also know however that water quality is NOT the concern and is NOT holding up the issuance of permit. The DC folks understand that the Potomac is clean enough to swim in as long as it hasn't rained.
hmmm, the "as long as it hasn't rained" in the summer swamp land of DC is what gets me. Thats a big caveat. I'm a swimmer by trade and have not interest in skipping my favorite leg. If they get this permit I will consider. I would love to do a tri in the middle of the city
10
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1314 days
bromine99 posted 1 year ago.
Any swim done in a river has the same issues, last year with the philly tri there was rain the day before (during the sprint race, where the swim wasn't canceled) and a significant amount of rain overnight. There was just too much debris in the water to ensure safety on race day. You just gotta hope for good weather.
I really like how all these big cities are putting on quality races now. The philly race is easily my favorite of the year (wish it was later in the season.) And I'm sure the DC one will be awesome. There's also gonna be a new one in Annapolis that looks fun, 1900 person limit I think! I wish I had more money to travel, but what'cha gonna do?
147
Member
1229 days
rcortesi posted 1 year ago.
I too did the Nations Tri* last year. And it was pricey. But the chance to go screaming up and down Rock Creek Parkway, past the Kennedy Center and up and down the mall with no cars. That is a treat. If you can afford it and live in the area I thought it was worth it. If you can't no worries.
* Ok so it actually was a du last year... and it made me realized that... gasp... I don't miss the swim that much.
--
"Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside a dog it is too dark to read."
Groucho Marx
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147
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1229 days
rcortesi posted 1 year ago.
bhanrah;71195 wrote:
how did they do the bike start?
3-4 k run up Rock Creek Parkway then the regular bike and run.
--
"Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside a dog it is too dark to read."
Groucho Marx
for athletes http://rogercortesi.com/athleticlog/
for nerds http://rogercortesi.com/eqn/
771
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1297 days
Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
I have been seriously thinking about doing this one...
209
Member
1367 days
jmcglos posted 1 year ago.
Here's the latest word:
"
Hello Nation's Triathlete,
GREAT NEWS!!!
DC Council passes the DC Triathlon Act of 2007!
The swim is on its way!!
The DC City Council passed the DC Triathlon Act of 2007 legalizing swimming for triathletes competing in The Nation's Triathlon. Passage of this act was the result of nearly 24 months of work between The Nation's Triathlon and various DC Agencies, outside testing labs, NGB's and other entities. The DC Triathlon Act of 2007 exempts triathletes from the law banning swimming and clears any legal hurdles impeding the issuance of the swim permit. Now let's hope Mother Naure cooperates and keeps the rain away.
Get ready to be part of the first ever triathlon swim in the Potomac River!! its gonna be historic!"
3
Member
509 days
Phread posted 49 weeks ago.
What agency does the water quality testing and are the results available to the general public???
97
Member
384 days
wirebook posted 49 weeks ago.
Phread;79607 wrote:
What agency does the water quality testing and are the results available to the general public???
I think this may fall under the category of 'Don't ask, don't tell'. I'm not sure I want to see how close it is to being 'dangerous', at least until about a week after I complete it (and don't fall dead).
I actually went kayaking down Rock Creek about a year ago. I lived, despite the scull and crossbone signs that were posted about 3/4th the way down next to drainage pipes. Not a very fun ride, primarily because it was slow going.
-Ray
Tri Blog: Http://dcrainmaker.blogspot.com
Registration is now open for The Nation's Triathlon.
Visit thenationstriathlon.com for more information.
The new website will be launched July 1st, so stay tuned.
Complete with a Health and Fitness Expo, scenic route throughout our Nation's capitol, and food and fun post race with lots of goodies along the way. This is the perfect race to wrap up the tri season on Saturday, September 29th, 2007 in the heart of Washington, DC.
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