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Lobsterman Triathlon Is a Rugged Test
Sep 20, 2009 05:28 PM
Categories: Summer Town: Freeport, Waterville
One of the great events over the weekend was the Lobsterman Triathlon at Winslow Park in Freeport. It's a tough journey: 1.5 mile swim in Casco Bay, 20 miles on the bike and 6.2 miles running.
The event is not spectator friendly, since supporters don't really see their athletes competing. They swim off into the bay, they leave the park to complete their bicycle journey and upon returning their bikes, they leave again to run their road race.
It's an admirable undertaking, though, and the reception was warm for every one of the hundreds of contestants that finished.
Leslie Hendrickson, my daughter, is shown here at left finishing ahead of another contestant after more than four hours. She is a former resident of Waterville, and now lives in New York.
It was a glorious day in Freeport, with sunny skies and a light breeze to cool down the athletes. There were a couple of participants in their 60s and 70s but mostly this is a young athlete's activity.
Thoughts on the event:
- It might be improved if groups of slower athletes were interspersed with faster contestants. You have to have the elite athletes go out early but mixing the slower with the faster would have participants of different times finishing at about the same hour.
- Parking can be impossible if spectators get there within a half-hour of the start. The cars of the athletes take up most available space.
- The lobster bake is a great idea for those who can stay.
- After many events, such as the U.S. Open tennis, I feel like taking up the game in a more serious way. After watching the pain induced by this arduous event, I have no desire to ever try this.
The event is not spectator friendly, since supporters don't really see their athletes competing. They swim off into the bay, they leave the park to complete their bicycle journey and upon returning their bikes, they leave again to run their road race.
It's an admirable undertaking, though, and the reception was warm for every one of the hundreds of contestants that finished.
Leslie Hendrickson, my daughter, is shown here at left finishing ahead of another contestant after more than four hours. She is a former resident of Waterville, and now lives in New York.
It was a glorious day in Freeport, with sunny skies and a light breeze to cool down the athletes. There were a couple of participants in their 60s and 70s but mostly this is a young athlete's activity.
Thoughts on the event:
- It might be improved if groups of slower athletes were interspersed with faster contestants. You have to have the elite athletes go out early but mixing the slower with the faster would have participants of different times finishing at about the same hour.
- Parking can be impossible if spectators get there within a half-hour of the start. The cars of the athletes take up most available space.
- The lobster bake is a great idea for those who can stay.
- After many events, such as the U.S. Open tennis, I feel like taking up the game in a more serious way. After watching the pain induced by this arduous event, I have no desire to ever try this.
Arborwoman says,
WOW! Good for Maine to have such a great event! Casco Bay.... hmmmm.... nice preparation for Hawaii's "Iron Man," since it can be choppy. The distances are impressive, and hooray for your daughter and all finishers! Lobsterman.... what a name for a triathlon. Keep up the good work.
Sep 20, 2009 11:02 PM
nrathbone says,
Triathlon is a tricky event to watch. Ask your athlete what their expected times are, and you can usually see them come flying through the transition area.
The author suggests interspersing slower and faster athletes. This is, however, a USAT sanctioned event. Starts are by age group (and gender). The race organizers have no idea how fast you are, just that you're a man 40-44 (or whatever).
The elite athletes do start first. Having slower athletes out front with the pros overtaking them, all doing 30+ mph on their bikes, would just be too dangerous.
It is a dead end down there at Winslow Park. However, this year I don't think anyone was complaining about being stuck on the grass in on a beautiful sunny day for a few hours! What a great race!
Sep 21, 2009 01:36 PM
Dyke says,
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. You're right - now one was complaining about being at the park that day. It was great, and what a glorious site. I worked for the Press Herald for about 15 years but never had been to this park.
Best,
Dyke
Sep 27, 2009 07:54 PM
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