Trihawks Triathlon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Joe D.
Bettendorf, IA

  (09-24-2009)

"I find it interesting that on the "Hairiest" bike course of any duathlon or triathlon I've done I get a 2min.penalty for crossing the center line.Hey,the parking was good.I would only come back to beat my time not because I thought it was a good Tri
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Tiphanie C.
Bettendorf, IA

  (09-24-2009)

"Well, it's not difficult to see that this race was run by a younger group of people. Here are a few things that I noticed about the trihawks triathlon:
1. The t-shirt bags were not ready. It also took a long time to check in for packet pick up the day of the race. Very disorganized. They also ran out of swim caps.
2. We couldn't hear the prerace meeting. The guy talking on the sound system sounded like the teacher on Charlie Brown. It said the pre race meeting was to start at 8:45, but it started at 9.
3. While lined up on the beach getting ready to swim, there was a lady with a dog walking around on the beach and also some little kids running around inbetween us. Isn't the roped off section for racers only?
4. We couldn't hear the gun/ go signal to start swimming.
5. There were two major sand pits on the bike course. The course description said it was gravel. IT WAS NOT GRAVEL. IT WAS SAND. Probably 4 inches of sand. Racers were wiping out left and right. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
6. As people were flying down the last hill on their bike on the way into T2, they were letting cars out on the road. Again, very dangerous.
7. The run course was ok. The only thing bothersome was the running down the stairs and up the stairs on the trails."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Ariel M.
Chicago, IL

  (09-23-2009)

"Always my favorite race to compete in ;) This race has grown in size and support over the past 5 years, and it's easy to see why. It's a well-organized race, if you have been to a wide variety of races, you know what I'm talking about. Not to mention, all the organizers are college students! My only critique for this year is that due to the sheer number of participants, it would be great to have more time between each wave. The swim stayed crowded for most of the 500 yards, and the bike course could get congested at times when you had 10-15 people all climbing a hill at different paces, some trying to pass each other. Bike is hilly, but so much fun. Gravel was definitely scary, though I know there's only so much the organizers can do about that, it's kind of up to the owners of that road. The run was challenging, but shaded for the most part (wasn't very sunny anyway). Overall, my favorite race to do time and time again, would recommend it for any skill level, beginner or seasoned. "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Carl W.
Des Moines, IA

  (09-23-2009)

"Out of all the sprint triathlon's this year that I participated in throughout the state of Iowa this was the most unique and difficult. The swim course was congested; I would recommend placing three minutes between each wave. The bike was demanding, hills throughout and a total of four gravel spots with an out a back, then the run course had flat areas with a handful of hilly sections, plus a trail through the woods was very interesting. I'm very glad I participated as this was more demanding then other sprint tri's. It created for additional enjoyment because of the unique and interesting layout."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Tom B.
Rock Island, IL

  (09-23-2009)

"This is a great sprint tri. The bike and run courses are tough. The trail section of the run is difficult followed by a nice downhill to finish. For the most part, on the bike course you are either going up, or down (The gravel area is a result of serious flooding a couple years ago-can't be avoided). Great job by the organizers and volunteers!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Judd A.
Bettendorf, IA

  (09-23-2009)

"I was very disappointed with everything about this triathlon. I thought the bike course was very dangerous with the gravel and the traffic on the course. The run was ridiculous, I signed up for a triathlon not an adventure race and the trail was not safe with the roots and steep downhill. The post race was the worst I have ever seen."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Trina D.
Hiawatha, IA

  (09-22-2009)

"Very well organized this year with email notices of the water temp, pre- race information as well as post information. This tough course was clearly marked! Those that did the work behind the scene did a fantastic job! Would like to see a larger turnout to this event and advertisement of this race to draw larger race attendees."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Jody L.
Fairfield, IA

  (09-22-2009)

"11 of us from our newly formed TriClub, the Fairfield Tri-Newbies, participated in the event. We are all over 45, most are over 50 and we all had a great time. I enjoyed the swim, I liked the out and back. I did not like being in the second wave. This group tends to be slower and being passed by the later waves "psychs" you out! I'll let my team mates comment on the ride and run. I hear there were many hills! Overall, we had a ton of fun and loved the woman's shirt - Thank you!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Brandon P.
West Des Moines, IA

  (09-22-2009)

"Signage on course was very poor. Poorly organized with "faster" competitors starting at end of field. Made for passing novice or slower competitors more frequent. Run course was not safe when using broken railroad ties and tree roots. Gravel on bike course was dangerous even at slow speeds. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Steve C.
Iowa City, IA

  (09-22-2009)

"1st time doing a triathlon, so not much to compare the experience to...but I have to echo the others' comments on the gravel patches for the bike leg. Hope that the road is repaired before next year - not sure that I would chance it otherwise. Run leg was a bit unnerving as well, as the "trail" portion of the run quickly gave way to "railroad tie steps down and up the side of a hill". Hello, twisted ankle! Otherwise, well organized from start to finish!!!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Chris L.
Mahomet, IL

  (09-22-2009)

"The hilly course for biking and running added an element of interest and challenge. Excellent volunteers (thanks!) and overall a very good race. My complaints are the gravel patches at the bottom of hills on the bike, the arrangement of waves (why did men 35-39 years old go after everyone else? This led to a lot of traffic for us.), and there was a fair bit of automobile traffic on the bike (some of them didn't really care to slow down or move over). Overall, though, a good race. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Josh B.
Cedar Rapids, IA

  (09-22-2009)

"Course- I really liked the swim course but did not like how they timed it. It was a 500 yard swim and the timing mat was 100 yards up the beach so you didn't get a true swimming time- more like a swim + short transition time. The bike course was difficult (very hilly). The only issue I had on the bike course was there was run-off from a flood so you had to pedal on deep gravel four times during the race. The run was very nice and also pretty hilly (especially on the trail.)
Overall, very good race. Great shirts, neat overall event! "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009