Race course preferences - Triathlon Week

11-23-2004, 07:54 AM

Hello group!

I'm conducting a survey of triathletes. Do you prefer easier, flat courses
or more difficult hilly courses? The reason I'm asking is that I'm thinking
of staging a half Ironman distance event in a remote location (I don't want
to say where until I commit to actually going through with this). We have
beautiful scenery and to make the most of it, I'd like the half marathon run
to encompass a very substantial climb (700 feet over 2 1/2 miles). Eighty
percent of the run would be on forest roads. Do you think this would
attract people because of the challenge, or frighten them away?

--
Robert A. Haase
Sr. Research Scientist
Signature Research, Inc.
(906)337-3360
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-23-2004, 09:15 AM

"Bob Haase" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:TeIod.53$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> Hello group!
>
> I'm conducting a survey of triathletes. Do you prefer easier, flat
> courses
> or more difficult hilly courses? The reason I'm asking is that I'm
> thinking
> of staging a half Ironman distance event in a remote location (I don't
> want
> to say where until I commit to actually going through with this). We have
> beautiful scenery and to make the most of it, I'd like the half marathon
> run
> to encompass a very substantial climb (700 feet over 2 1/2 miles). Eighty
> percent of the run would be on forest roads. Do you think this would
> attract people because of the challenge, or frighten them away?
>
> --
> Robert A. Haase
> Sr. Research Scientist
> Signature Research, Inc.
> (906)337-3360
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>
>

I think your course "toughness" preferences will vary. I don't really care,
either way. Another recurring theme is safety.

Safety would seem to be a bigger challenge in a remote location. It seems
more difficult to account for medical emergencies, adequate staffing of
volunteers and aid stations, sweeping debris from key portions of the bike
course, etc.

rsquared

11-23-2004, 10:35 AM

Hi rsquared,

Thanks for your comments. I'm sure it is more difficult to get volunteers
in a small town setting than in a big city, but I think we can do it. I've
been a race director for other local races and we've managed to get the help
we needed.

Of course safety is most important. And being a racer, I know how important
it is to have corners on the bike course clear of gravel. The race, if it
happens will have paramedics at the transition, US Coast Guard on the swim
course, and HAM radio operators on both the run and bike courses. I'm
planning on aid at three places on the bike route and about every mile on
the run.

A remote location offers some plusses, too. For one, there is the
opportunity to race in an incredibly beautiful setting. And there isn't
very much traffic on the bike course, and nearly zero traffic on the run
course.

I don't like laps either. So this course wouldn't have laps. There are
sections of the bike and run that are out-and-back, so athletes would have
the opportunity to see there competition occasionally.

Bob

"rsquared" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:I8Jod.98397$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> "Bob Haase" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:TeIod.53$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>> Hello group!
>>
>> I'm conducting a survey of triathletes. Do you prefer easier, flat
>> courses
>> or more difficult hilly courses? The reason I'm asking is that I'm
>> thinking
>> of staging a half Ironman distance event in a remote location (I don't
>> want
>> to say where until I commit to actually going through with this). We
>> have
>> beautiful scenery and to make the most of it, I'd like the half marathon
>> run
>> to encompass a very substantial climb (700 feet over 2 1/2 miles).
>> Eighty
>> percent of the run would be on forest roads. Do you think this would
>> attract people because of the challenge, or frighten them away?
>>
>> --
>> Robert A. Haase
>> Sr. Research Scientist
>> Signature Research, Inc.
>> (906)337-3360
>> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>>
>>
>>
>
> I think your course "toughness" preferences will vary. I don't really
> care, either way. Another recurring theme is safety.
>
> Safety would seem to be a bigger challenge in a remote location. It seems
> more difficult to account for medical emergencies, adequate staffing of
> volunteers and aid stations, sweeping debris from key portions of the bike
> course, etc.
>
> rsquared
>

11-23-2004, 12:23 PM

"Bob Haase" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Hello group!
>
>I'm conducting a survey of triathletes. Do you prefer easier, flat courses
>or more difficult hilly courses? The reason I'm asking is that I'm thinking
>of staging a half Ironman distance event in a remote location (I don't want
>to say where until I commit to actually going through with this). We have
>beautiful scenery and to make the most of it, I'd like the half marathon run
>to encompass a very substantial climb (700 feet over 2 1/2 miles). Eighty
>percent of the run would be on forest roads. Do you think this would
>attract people because of the challenge, or frighten them away?

My own preference for IM or 1/2 IM courses is scenic beauty and a
challenging course. I hate flat and boring courses - I get all of that
I need when training for them.

It sounds like your course would be very interesting and fun to run.

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"

11-24-2004, 06:34 AM

LOL, bring it on! A climb on the bike like that will cause some
separation within the packs.

I agree with the safety aspect.

Mark

"Bob Haase" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<TeIod.53$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
> Hello group!
>
> I'm conducting a survey of triathletes. Do you prefer easier, flat courses
> or more difficult hilly courses? The reason I'm asking is that I'm thinking
> of staging a half Ironman distance event in a remote location (I don't want
> to say where until I commit to actually going through with this). We have
> beautiful scenery and to make the most of it, I'd like the half marathon run
> to encompass a very substantial climb (700 feet over 2 1/2 miles). Eighty
> percent of the run would be on forest roads. Do you think this would
> attract people because of the challenge, or frighten them away?

11-24-2004, 08:14 AM

Actually, the 700 foot climb is on the run. There are a few smaller climbs
on the bike; I guess I'd call it rolling with some of the rollers being
about 200 feet high.

thanks,
Bob

"M Kochanski" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1767f76c.0411240534.4069bf33@posting.google.c om...
> LOL, bring it on! A climb on the bike like that will cause some
> separation within the packs.
>
> I agree with the safety aspect.
>
> Mark
>
> "Bob Haase" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:<TeIod.53$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
>> Hello group!
>>
>> I'm conducting a survey of triathletes. Do you prefer easier, flat
>> courses
>> or more difficult hilly courses? The reason I'm asking is that I'm
>> thinking
>> of staging a half Ironman distance event in a remote location (I don't
>> want
>> to say where until I commit to actually going through with this). We
>> have
>> beautiful scenery and to make the most of it, I'd like the half marathon
>> run
>> to encompass a very substantial climb (700 feet over 2 1/2 miles).
>> Eighty
>> percent of the run would be on forest roads. Do you think this would
>> attract people because of the challenge, or frighten them away?

11-26-2004, 01:32 PM

Sounds likje fun. I like all types of courses. Challenging in their own way.

Diana

"Bob Haase" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<cA1pd.5$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
> Actually, the 700 foot climb is on the run. There are a few smaller climbs
> on the bike; I guess I'd call it rolling with some of the rollers being
> about 200 feet high.
>
> thanks,
> Bob
>
> "M Kochanski" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:1767f76c.0411240534.4069bf33@posting.google.c om...
> > LOL, bring it on! A climb on the bike like that will cause some
> > separation within the packs.
> >
> > I agree with the safety aspect.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> > "Bob Haase" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> > news:<TeIod.53$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>...
> >> Hello group!
> >>
> >> I'm conducting a survey of triathletes. Do you prefer easier, flat
> >> courses
> >> or more difficult hilly courses? The reason I'm asking is that I'm
> >> thinking
> >> of staging a half Ironman distance event in a remote location (I don't
> >> want
> >> to say where until I commit to actually going through with this). We
> >> have
> >> beautiful scenery and to make the most of it, I'd like the half marathon
> >> run
> >> to encompass a very substantial climb (700 feet over 2 1/2 miles).
> >> Eighty
> >> percent of the run would be on forest roads. Do you think this would
> >> attract people because of the challenge, or frighten them away?