Iron Goddess Triathlon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Kelly C.
newport, MI

  (07-01-2010)

"I loved this race, but then again I am totally biased because it was my very first triathlon which automatically means it has a special place in my heart. Plus, I have nothing to compare it to, so this may not be a totally fair assessment. But I'll give it a shot anyway :-p

For starters, you should know that this tri is geared towards first timers. There's tri clinics in the months leading up to it and a practice open water swim the week before. The race director is on hand to answer any and all questions no matter how silly you might think they are. She's also back at your disposal the day before the race at packet pickup to lead you through about an hour walk through of the event and again answer any questions you might have had creep up. And if that's not enough, she's also accessible to you via email and/or phone.

But when you go look up all the results from previous years (come on, you know you all are gonna go do it), there's one thing the results won't show on paper and you won't find it in the course description anywhere either. So be forwarned that included in those swim times is not only the 1/4 mile swim, but approximately a 1/4 mile run UPHILL to the first transition area. This may or may not be important to you, but for me it meant I highly overestimated where I would finish in the swim and was thus, plowed over at the start. Fortunately, if you do get plowed over and run into trouble, there are not only plenty of lifeguards, but also swim goddesses floating on noodles in flowery swim caps to cheer you on and give you a place to rest and regroup if necessary.

The 10.7 mile bike course is gently rolling, but you'll have so much momentum from the downhills that the uphills are not too awfully noticeable. It's not a closed bike course, so you'll be riding with traffic, but the good news is traffic is light. I think I got passed by one car the entire time. Be sure to give a shout out to the fishermen on the bridge as you pass by.

Finally, it's on to the 1.5 mile run. It's hilly and it's trail as in dirt, leaves, twigs, ruts, and one very muddy area where you'll run across boards so you don't get sucked in. But the good news is it's downhill to the finish.

FYI: Heed is the beverage of choice at the aid station and this is by far the sweetest race shirt I've ever received. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010