Pacific Coast Triathlon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Kelly e.
campbell, CA

  (08-07-2009)

"This was my first time doing this particular sprint triathlon and my second time competing in the US Sprint Nationals. Last year it was up in Cayuga Lake, NY. My overall impressions is that Crystal Cove in Newport Beach (technically Corona Del Mar) is a spectacular venue. The ocean views are gorgeous. I had mixed feelings about cancelling the swim. I love an ocean swim (I grew up in Huntington Beach) but the waves were at the level that I would have chosen not go do out when I used to swim at the beach. The issue wasn't so much the wave size but rather the fact that they broke fast and hard near the shore and I had visions of painful body slams. I think the race directors made the right choice regardless of the disappointment from the strong swimmers.

The race itself was terrific.. not the best "first timer" race but a great challenge for a sprint. The running encompassed sand, obstacles (rocks), steep ramps, gentle rollers and healthy competition. The bike course was actually pretty easy although it did have a couple of stiff climbs (same hill twice as the bike course was too loops) but the road conditions were great (few potholes and obstacles) and not technical. The biggest challenge on the bike was the crowd as I came off the short initial run in a pack of about 20 competitive women and it was really hard not to draft as I did not want a drafting penalty. I don't think it would have been as much of an issue if there had been a swim. The T-shirts and posters were gorgeous but I was a bit surprised about the lack of swag for a nationals.. at Cayuga Lake, competitors received great shirts, hats, race belts. tote bags and cowbells. Here it was just shirt and poster. My only other complaint was that the race is very unfriendly to spectators. There are few places to stand and watch and parking is impossible. My husband and two daughters had to walk 2 miles from the parking to race start. I would definitely do this race again but not as a family event. My other complaint was the lack of bathroom facilities... I had to use bushes and large rocks on the beach as nature "port-o-johns""

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Abby F.
Scottsdale, AZ

  (08-03-2009)

"They did cancel the swim because of the large swell that was in all weekend (went out in the water the day before the race and the waves were huge and the undertoe really powerful). Kind of glad we didn't have to swim in that(I am just over a buck and would have gotten pummeled in that water)! Both the bike and run are hilly, I kept passing everyone on the hills then would get re-passed on the downhill :(. Running on the beach was great-much better scenery than the dry desert of AZ! "Running" up the seawalls both at the start of the race (where the swim out would have been) and just near the finish were challenging. Definitely makes you feel good when you can pass people on the run by shuffling up a steep hill. Looking forward to next year!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009