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Triathlon: Planning Your Race Season: Local and Regional Triathlon Reviews
By Margie Shapiro
January/February 2012
If you have not started planning your 2012 triathlon season, now is the time. Fortunately, since my first triathlon 10 years ago, the sport has ballooned with great Mid-Atlantic races that are well organized, with scenic courses, and excellent support.
One popular and sensible approach to season planning is to choose one or two key races around which to plan your training, and then throw in other races that may help in preparation for the big ones. Another approach is to choose several races that are reasonably spaced but somewhat close together and consider it a ‘race period’ where training is lighter but racing is frequent. As soon as you decide on a few races check the Web sites immediately, as some 2012 races are already closed.
I polled numerous local triathletes to get a feel for the local races that have grown most popular among age groupers. The overwhelming response was that we have a plethora of winners right here within an hour’s drive (or so). I have tried to cull the list below which is arranged chronologically and please note these are just a starting point as you plan your calendar.
Kinetic Half (May 12, 2012 – Spotsylvania VA) www.setupevents.com
Recommended for a local longer-distance race put on by the ravely-reviewed SetUp Events group. According to Ryan Troll of DC Tri Club: “This is by far my favorite race.” It has a moderate course and great competition.
Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon (May 20, 2012 – Centreville VA) www.finswheelsfeet.com
Recommended for an excellent choice for beginners with its pool swim. “It was my first and most memorable triathlon,” says Vergil Arbuckle of TriCATS. Zoya Schaller of Team FeXY agrees, “The race is beginner friendly and support is phenomenal. Plus, the post-race food is great and you get almost instant race results!”
Columbia Triathlon (May 20, 2012 – Ellicott City MD) www.tricolumbia.org
Recommended as “a must-do for the challenge,” says JP Toner of Herndon, VA.
“A gem,” according to last year’s women’s champion, Lindsey Jerdonek. This one sells out early, so get clicking if you want to jump on those hills.
DC Tri Club’s Practice Triathlons (throughout the summer) www.dctriclub.org
Recommended to gain experience; includes three sprint races at Hains Point for club members with each followed by a club BBQ. According to Alexandria’s Maureen Williams, these are a “great way to get race experience, practice your transitions, receive support and encouragement from fellow club members, and have a great time in a low pressure supportive environment. Signups are usually a week or two before the scheduled race.”
Ironman 70.3 Eagleman (June 10, 2012 – Cambridge MD) www.tricolumbia.org.
This is recommended for challenge and scenic. This is “the best 70.3 in the U.S. with a tough river swim, bald eagles, and herons on the bike ride and Annie Oakley's house on the run,” says Melissa Merson of Arlington, VA and International Triathlon Union (ITU) Executive Board member. (Note: This race also fills up fast.)
The 14.06 Tri (late July – Manassas VA) www.triitnow.com
Recommend as “A great way to learn how to handle transitioning between events, what to wear, how to change, some of the small details that add to the anxiety of any first time triathletes,” according to Sinead Downing (who wrote all the way from California to rave about it).
Luray International and Sprint Triathlons (August 18 & 19, 2012- Luray VA) www.luraytriathlon.com
Recommended for beginners. Directed by Restonian-turned-Boulderite David Glover, and provides a comfortable environment free of intimidation. You can even do both races back to back.
Nation’s Triathlon (September 9, 2012 – Washington DC) www.nationstri.com
Recommended for venue and support. According to Jenny Smith of Team in Training, “It’s a wonderfully put together event.” The organizers solicit participants’ feedback to make improvements each year. (Note: This race fills up fast, too.)
Reston Triathlon (September 9, 2012 – Reston VA) www.restontriathlon.org
Recommended for its local charm. Herndon resident Annie Downer “even got to watch friends get married there after the race!” Race registration begins December 1 and fills within 24 hours.
SavageMan Triathlon Festival (September 15 & 16, 2012 – Deep Creek Lake Park MD) www.savagemantri.org
Recommended for anyone interested in a challenge. With Olympic and half-ironman distances, this event displays the beauty of Deep Creek Lake and surrounding areas and boasts the title of toughest race (Triathlete magazine). Matt Ferguson of DC Tri Club and Potomac River Running agrees: “One of the toughest courses on the planet, Olympic or Half Ironman, great venue, local grassroots race . . . what's not to like?”
Make-a-Wish Sea Colony Triathlon (September 22, 2012 – Bethany Beach DE) www.tricolumbia.org
Recommended for swim course and longevity. It’s the “best ocean swim Olympic distance race and has been around for 30+years,” says Melissa Merson.
Giant Acorn International & Sprint Triathlons (October 6 & 7, 2012 – Bumpass VA) www.setupevents.com
Recommended for fall Olympic and sprint distances; races are held on consecutive days. According to Vienna’s Tom Stanmeyer, “It's a rare chance to swim in 75-degree water in early October and then bike/run in pleasant weather (typically temps in the 60s) and has a 10 a.m. start with convenient same-day bike racking.”
Cape Henlopen Triathlon (October 14, 2012 – Lewes DE) www.piranha-sports.com
Recommended for unique course. This event boasts a cross country run course (for this sprint distance triathlon) and once was voted the best sprint distance event in the United States.
For more triathlon listings, check out the race calendar at www.runwashington.com.