Chicago Triathlon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Brett N.
Brookline, MA

  (12-10-2009)

"Great race! The condition of the road on the bike ride could use a little work, but other than that... LOVED IT!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Jin N.
Chicago, IL

  (09-10-2009)

"The best racing conditions anyone could really ask for. High 50 to low 60's for every wave, sunny, breezy. Great. Thirty degrees cooler than last year so the race automatically gets a star upgrade even if the organizers have no control over nature. =)

If it is your first race in Chicago, please go to the course talk or read the course information. As the bike portion is on Lake Shore Drive with live traffic, racers PASS ON THE RIGHT for safety reasons. Knowing this keeps everyone happy and safer. Just ask Andy Potts. Poor guy.

Also good to know, wind is a constant companion heading north (head & cross) but no worries as it is balanced by the tail wind heading south so everyone can feel like a rockstar cyclist. =)

The course is not monitored that closely by the USAT officials so about 1,000 people must have used their iPods during the run. Was I jealous? Of course I was! But seriously, safety first everyone. With a race this large with varying abilities, it is best to be aware of your surroundings as some athletes are really there to race in earnest.

I repeat my safety comments to pay attention to the rules and surroundings as there were more crashes than last year. Noticeably more.

This was the biggest race with over 9,000 particiapants...according to the organizers. The crowd support was great as usual...as was the picnic and volunteers.

I do advise you stick around after the race and sit near the awards podium for the raffles in between awards. So few people are around that area that you can win fairly easily. They just call out your bib number and as long as you are not over that number you can win some great useful prizes.


"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Dan H.
Ada, OH

  (09-01-2009)

"If I could give this race 4.5 stars, I would.

This was a logistical masterpiece, cosidering the amount of participants in the event. There was more than enough food, water, portalets, and breathing space for everyone there, which amazed and pleased me.

The course was interesting, to say the least. A 450 yard run from swim exit to T1, one of the biggest transition areas I have ever seen, and a bike route that will bankroll the wheel-truing industry for the next decade are just a few of the perks an athlete will encounter while tackling this event.

Lake Shore Drive has just enough gentle rollers to keep you from getting bored, but not enough to slow you down at all. Two full lanes of traffic are blocked off for the bike leg and are quite necessary given the amount of beginners riding the course. I passed many mountain bikers riding two or three abreast, which was sort of a nuisance, but not enough for me to be frustrated over it. The lake effect wind can be a bitter mistress if you don't conserve your energy properly, too.

Tight is the name of the game on the run. At times I felt like I was in a Die Hard movie, running through people and having to sidestep and hurdle obstacles. The route is beautiful, but difficult to take in when you're constantly dodging other runners. Fast runners, beware; you will be frustrated."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Ray L.
Springfield, IL

  (09-01-2009)

"Where do you start when there over 9k people?? 1st off everyone should have to attend a prerace meeting to discuss course.There is a lot of waiting for your swim flight!! Race start at 6 but you may not swim till 10:30 so be ready to chill for awhile. From swim take out to T-1 is a 500 yrd run a little long. bike is on LSD which is flat out fast!!
And the run is a great couse along the lake wish they had a mmat 6 because i was looking for the finsh!! Lots of people complain about port of potty out of TP so carry some or walk to the host hotel. I will run it again."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Jin N.
Chicago, IL

  (08-03-2009)

"The Chicago Tri (formerly The Accenture Chicago Tri when the economy could support a title sponsor...hahaha!!)

Big. Fun. But what race isn't fun...when properly-ish trained to race? Local gal so it would have been a pity not to race.

The best part of the Chicago tri has to be the crowd support and accessibility for the friends and family. They can probably walk up and down to see you swim the entire 1.5K. I know this because around 0.5K and 1K into the swim I heard my name being yelled out, in cheer cadence along with the word "go" before and after my name, repeatedly from the concrete shore. Who but my adoring fans strolling on shore cheering me on! Swim exit is via an aluminum bleacher with helpful staff/volunteer hands to safely get you up and out without incident.


The path to T1 is a bit long...up to a 1/4mi to your bike, perhaps.


Bike is on Lake Shore Drive. In 2008, the road was in fairly bad shape and the city didn't quite get around to fixing all the pot holes. The lake is right there so be prepared for possibly windy conditions, at least in one direction of the loop. There was one port-o-potty at the turnaround. Yes, I used it! No line. =) The Drive was repaired over Spring 2009...at least the really awful parts and was in fairly good shape at the time of this review. =)

Run...nary a tree to provide shade. It was sunny and hot.

Transition opens very early...if you are an age grouper who has a later start time, bring a snack...maybe a pillow!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Tom F.
Crystal Lake, IL

  (06-17-2009)

"NOTE: This is for the SuperSprint distance Chicago triathlon. This is a great race for first timers, and the organizers no doubt gear it as such. The swim took place at Foster Beach, and you were able to touch the sand, good for those afraid of the swim. The bike and run are really flat."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Travis S.
Austin, TX

  (06-01-2009)

"This is a great flat course, which makes it great for first-timers and those seasoned folks who are looking to set some records. I've had better lake swims; this one is ofter loaded with e coli and the motorized lifeboats do spew out some exhaust. It's not terrible though. Bike is along LSD, which is pretty cool, some slight grades. The run is along the lake path south of McCormick place, it's beautiful, but very sunny and hot. Water and aid stations are plentiful and the t-shirts are always pretty cool"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2007

Nancy H.
Chicago, IL

  (05-17-2009)

"It was fantastic! The race was well organized and instructions were clear at the Expo the previous day and on the day of the race. I picked up a bunch of free energy food and my shirt that day. There was a funny and informative course talk, and it alleviated a lot of my fears as a first time racer. Weather was cooperative, and the water was 72 degrees at 6 am. They gave instructions over loud speakers and lots of handwaving so I never got lost. The race itself was fine, if a little windy. Cheering squads were strategically placed along the course, and large potholes on the course were spray painted a neon color. Two lanes of Lake Shore Drive were blocked off, so I never felt like I was going to get hit, and a particularly calm part of Lake Michigan was used for the swim portion. Food was abundant after the race, and music was abundant as well."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008