I'm planning on doing the Late Summer Madness Triathlon on September 20th. Hopefully, if all goes well, I will be healthy for this one! *Crosses fingers* I was curious if anyone has had any experiences with this particular event or has any information about it - or better, a map. The most I've found is that it's at Salmon Creek park and the bike ride is somewhere around WSU. I haven't found much more information about it. It doesn't say whether it's chip timed, any specific routes, not much of anything.

Anyone else planning on this one?

I just heard about it last week from one of the participants in America's vancouver Tri which we held at Salmon Creek park.
All I heard was parks and rec were putting it on, but I have not been able to find any info on it either.

I am considering doing it if i can find info about it. I am curious about the course. If you ride up to WSU from the park you have to cross Hwy 99, which might not be too bad this year with construction having reduced traffic, but that intersection is not pretty right now.

Anyone have a source of information ?

Jim

Hey Guys,
I searched for Summer Madness Triathlon I followed a link to this info under the Marshall Center Heading, in the Parks and Rec Daycamps sub-section of their brochure.

Late Summer Madness Triathlon
The City of Vancouver’s end-of-season triathlon will be an
excellent event for the first-time triathlete, as well as a great event
for the experienced racer. 800-yard swim, a 12-mile bike and a 3.1
mile run. Fees includes dry-fit shirt (First 50 to register) also entry
into drawings for prizes at the end. There will be awards for the top
three finishers in each age group. To pre register call 487-7100.
There are only 200 spots available No day of event registration.
55218 Sa 9/20 9am $40

Good Luck!
Doug

Registered today and the rec-connect site said there were 184 spots left open??? It's either going to be an extremely low turnout or they increased the number of spots they are allowing in.

For a $40 entry fee, I'm going to stay optimistic. Let me know if anyone comes up with any other info.

Race report:

Now this was only my second triathlon, but maybe I was spoiled by doing the Mid Summer at Blue lake as my first. There were a total of around 40 participants, so crowding and parking were not a problem. The swim was a triangle shaped swim around the perimeter of the lake and was actually very nice. Following the swim though, was a very disappointing bike ride. There were 2 stop lights along the out and back bike route that weren't controlled. Can anyone tell me what the point of me pedalling my arse off to pass people only to stop at each stop light for 2 minutes while everyone catches up to me? The run was along the paved path at the park and was very nice. Overall, the race was handled well but would have been much better had it been chip timed and the intersectioned were controlled.

With the stoplights: Total time - 1:35:00. No split times. I wish I knew the split times. But, even given the challenges of this race, I felt SO much better on this one than the Mid Summer Tri. Being healthy for a race is definately a plus.

Are uncontrolled lights at triathlons common??

NO. This is why this race is not on my schedule. For myself, if a triathlon doesn't have a "closed" bike portion I won't participate in it as a athlete but I would be willing to volunteer. I really think that this triathlon is geared more for the newbie who just wants to do a event without all of the finer points such as timing, splits etc. I love "the pond" and the trail to run on however crossing 99 is dangerous at best.
What was the bike route?
Randy

I shouldn't have expected a whole lot for $40, but I did expect more. It would seem to me that if their intent was to make a pleasurable experience available and affordable for a first timer, they most likely scared off a lot of people looking to decide if the triathlon sport was for them or not. It was very evident that the bike portion was extremely frustrating to a lot of people.

Randy, the bike route began by coming out of the "pond" and turning right on 117th for about a mile up the hill to 16th. Then, turn around at the top of the hill and back down past the park, across highway 99 (which had opened from construction the day before) along 117th, turning into 119th. Then, left on Salmon Creek avenue/st to 50th avenue. The course then went north on 50th avenue turning right at 159th street, over to turning right at 64th avenue, heading south until it became Salmon creek ave. Then, west along Salmon creek avenue back along the outbound route. 2 stoplights each hit both outbound as well as inbound.

This has definately been a learning lesson and I'll be joining Randy's standard of not doing any more non-closed bike courses.

Randy and Chosen,

I went by and checked out the Late Summer Madness.event. I got the sense that the organizers all worked for Parks & Rec department, and while nice folks, none had ever done a Tri. Thus the lack of consideration for the HWy 99 crossing. Randy you may know more about that since I thought you work out some at Marshall center, where i thnk the thing originated.

Which brings me to the question. What are the factors that go into you making a decision on an event. I helped put on two Tri's this year, and a training prgram for first time parrticipants. We are working to grow the events and have 3 or 4 nice options here in Clark count. I'd be interested in your input.


Jim