Spring Triathlon Recap
Flag City Triathlon
by Rich Fowler
This weekend marked the 7th anniversary if the Flag City MultiSport Celebration – a series of 6 events unfolding on the Saturday nearest Flag Day every year, and it was truly a celebration on many levels as three intersecting stories came full circle.
A record field of nearly 500 athletes from 12 states and two countries braved a stormy forecast to come out and participate in those 6 events, from a 22 mile inline skate, a Sprint Triathlon/ Duathlon, an Olympic Triathlon/Duathlon, and a 5K run. Full details of the winners and their times are listed here www.hfpracing.com.
On the celebration side, it was a great day to be part of this event. The day started with more than 1000 American flags greeting the racers as they entered the venue, and we honored American servicemen and women both active and veteran with a stirring rendition of our National Anthem by a trio of singers from the Liberty Benton High School. We were honored to have the spouse of an Ohio Guardsman currently serving in Afghanistan with us, and she stood front and center with his picture as the Anthem rang out. She says he is training as much as he can while stationed in AFG, and he hopes to be back to race with us at the Toyota Challenge in Deer Creek this fall. We’re looking forward to seeing the two of them race together in Ohio again.
The Flag City MultiSport Celebration also marked two “firsts”. Television personality and news anchor Laura Rice of TV 24 in Toledo took another step in her quest to become a triathlete, as she raced (and completed) her first “real triathlon”. Her camera crew followed her throughout the event, and you can see her story here http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/story.aspx?id=469638 . Laura was also following one of our HFP Racing teammates – Brett Hensinger – as he continues his recovery and his return to racing after being hit by a negligent driver back in September. (Full story here http://www.hfpracing.com/blogs/aviewfromthehill/136-01132009-vfthseptemb... ). Brett’s return to racing was triumphant, as he came back fast and had some fun, finishing with family and a big smile. Now we continue to watch as his training partner Shane Tobin moves steadily closer to his first race back, and we can’t wait see those two race together again.
I mentioned 3 intersecting stories earlier? Laura and Brett (and Shane) were two, and the third is really the first – and the real “full circle”. The Flag City MultiSport Celebration is a charity race, with all proceeds benefitting the Give Back Program – the very charity that helped to re-outfit Shane and Brett after their accident, and it is the charity that’s raised nearly $75,000 for those in need in northwest Ohio over the past 7 years. Thanks to all the racers and volunteers who helped to make this possible and thanks to Brett and Shane for showing us how important it is to get back up just one more time than you get knocked down.
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The North East Ohio Triathlon Kickoff
by Mark Gorris
The North East Ohio Triathlon Kickoff at Clay’s park is a great place to begin your triathlon season. The race is put on by champracing.org and they really do a fantastic job. Also, the venue is Clay’s park which just happens to be a great camping area complete with many activities for one to do with family and friends.
The race begins in a lake about 50meters from the transition area. The swim course is a rectangle and this year there was 3 waves separated by 10minutes. The swim is 500meters long and the separation of the starting groups really allowed for a relatively non-combative swim. The water temperature was nice and cool and the water was very flat with no waves – this really is a great place to swim for athletes of all abilities and experience levels.
The bike course at this venue is not easy. The athlete must be extremely careful upon exiting/entering the park area as the road is full of big potholes. Once onto the rode you ride 6.5miles out and then 6.5miles back for a total of 13miles on the bike portion of the race. The out portion of the bike has many climbs that will definitely make for some rapid breathing patterns. The great thing about this is that once you get to the halfway point, you turn around and fly back home. The bike course is very well marked and there were police vehicles at every major intersection which really made the athlete feel safe.
Once you return from the bike you get to start your 5K run (3.1miles). The run course is two laps within the campgrounds on roads with some short areas of dirt paths. The run course is fair with some small up/down grades throughout. The course is extremely well marked which is really the biggest aid that can be given to the athlete at this portion of the race.
Everything about the NEO Kickoff is great. The course is very fair and the setup done by champracing is fantastic. After the race there is plenty of goodies and even hot pancakes which I personally loved. The best part of this race is the many local athletes that you can reconnect with and discuss the winter/training/race etc. This was my second time racing the NEO Kickoff and I can guarantee that it will not be the last.
