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Submitted by Davefromphilly
June 3, 2014
Review
This review is for the Orange County International Triathlon, completed on June 1, 2014.
Pre-Race: The pre-race events were moved to Lake Mission Viejo, which was a welcomed change compared to last year, as it was held at a different site. The packet pick-up was a smooth process. I was able to pick up my packet is a very short time, and it was very well-organized. The only draw back was that there were only a few vendors. I wished that there were more of them. Aside from that, the pre-race was a good.
Course: The fog had lifted just in time for the swim course to begin. The swim is a 1500 meter swim on Lake Mission Viejo. It was a fast swim, and I did not feel crowded at all on the course. It seemed that the swim waves were organized well. The bike course was very challenging. There were many hills throughout the course, but they can be navigated properly. The toughest hill for me was the first hill, right past Cook’s Corner (about mile 4-5). After I got to the top of that hill, I was able to use speed from the downhills to get through the remaining rolling hills. Around Mile 21-22, there was a sharp turn to get onto the bike path which can be dangerous. Luckily, there were volunteers warning the cyclists that to slow down while getting onto the bike path. After that, it was smooth sailing into T2. I had a much better experience in T2 this year compared to last year. The race directors had assigned spaces for the bikes based on the race bib numbers. This saved me so much time compared to last year. Good job race directors!!! The run course was downhill for about the first 2.5 miles, then there were rolling hills until Vista Del Lago. Even with my much improved training from last year, I still had to walk that hill. It is brutal, especially with barely any shade from the sun. After navigating Vista Del Lago, there were rolling hills until the finish line. This is a great course, and I was much more prepared for it, compared to last year. With much more preparation, I set a new personal best, and took nearly 30 minutes off of my previous personal best on this course.
Post-Race: This year’s festivities were much better because I elected to stay around and enjoy them. Also, I placed 2nd in the Clydesdale division, and received a bottle of wine as a prize. I am not much of a wine drinker, but I definitely put this on display in my home!
Overall: This is an A course. It was the perfect distance for challenging hills. I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be back next year.
Check me out on Twitter and Instagram for all my running follies: @DavefromPhilly
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Submitted by schutchins
May 30, 2013
Review
I was very disappointed with this tri. for starters at $185 it is priced as a half although it is an Olympic distance race. they also don’t have race day packet pickup, unless you’re willing to pay an additional $25 for the “privilege”.
the race is also poorly managed and highly disorganized. the street closures made parking confusing and there were no race volunteers/employees to direct traffic. we parked in an unmarked lot and were lucky enough to be next to another participant who competed the race the previous year, and who was able to direct us to the race start.
the transition area only had 7-9 port-o-lets that i saw for all the participants and bathroom lines were LONG. also, the bike racks looked like they had been purchased from a second hand store.
the swim course was pretty nice. it was a freshwater lake with buoys that mapped the course. the organizers warned of bacteria in the water that could cause rashes, but i didn’t notice nor hear of anyone getting a rash.
the bike course was tough with a few rollers and some hills. at the end of the course it narrowed onto a bike/running path. the finish was poorly planned as the finish line came directly after a blind curve, making the bike dismount tricky.
the run picks up where the bike ends. since the bike finish is at a different location than the bike start, make sure to drop off your shoes so that they can be brought to the bike finish, otherwise you won’t get to finish the race.
post race had very little free samples / food. since the race was staffed by volunteers and it is one of the most expensive in all of so. cal., i don’t know how there could be so little food/swag. there’s a lot to improve on in this race; as it stands now this race is below average, which is why i give it a C.
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Submitted by Davefromphilly
May 20, 2013
Review
This was my first Olympic distance triathlon ever, and the event did not appoint. The lake swim was great and the lifeguard support was great as well. I kind of veered off course a little bit towards the end of the swim, but the lifeguards directed me towards the proper course and I did not lose that much time in the water, thankfully. Even with that, I was able to finish with one of my best swim times. After getting out of the water, it was on to T1. T1 was marked off very well, and I was able to change and get to my bike without a problem.
Out of T1, I was able to get a good start onto the bike course, and the bike course was challenging. The first part of the course was a steady climb until you got to around mile 4-5, then it was rolling hills until the turn around at mile 12, and then you come back on the same course. I will give props to a fellow tri-athlete who helped push me through the first part of the course. Anyways, one thing I will tell everyone to watch out for is right when you turn onto the bike trail (around Mile 19-20), there is a little bit of a bump there in which you will catch some air, and you might wipeout if you aren’t careful. I almost ate concrete on one of my training rides, but I was able to remember on race day. Once you get onto the bike trail, you have a downhill grade until you get into T2. I had problems in T2 because I could not find my shoes at all. T2 was a mess! It looked like the triathletes put their bikes anywhere that they could find room, and then went to get their shoes. Because of that, I lost at least 2-3 minutes in T2, and I was constantly yelling, “Where are my shoes?” Since this was my first, I will chalk it up to a “live and learn” experience.
After finally finding my shoes, I was out of T2 and onto the run course. The first 1-2 miles of the run course were slightly downhill and I was able to make up some of the lost time in T2. After the downhill, there were some rolling hills, and there was the nightmare…Vista Del Lago. It felt like that street doubled in height since the training runs. Luckily, one of the race grader people were also running the course, and was able to motivate me up the hill. Thanks a lot for that RaceGrader because I was definitely out of gas at time. Finally, after getting up Vista Del Lago, I was able to finish strong, and set a good time for my first Olympic distance triathlon. I will say that I am hooked on triathlon training, and I will be participating in more of them in the future.
My only beef with the post-race festivities is that the organizers need to give out a medal. It was a long enough distance and time to give out a medal. You can do it Orange County Tri people! Other than that, I will most likely return next year to participate. I take that back, I will be back next year. My goal is to break the 3 hour mark!
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Submitted by Lauren Fisher
June 5, 2012
Review
Pros: I really liked the course, and was glad to find some new running trails in South Orange. There were so many awesome volunteers along the way. I loved the swim in Mission Viejo lake. The water was plenty warm, and I didn’t wear a wetsuit. I like the lake location for the finish too.
Cons: This race is slightly more expensive than most races. They really need to consider adding finishers medals. The tech t-shirt we got was so ugly. I like the painting, but it looks like they accidentally printed the back of the shirt onto the front. They need a better website. The course maps on the website were really bad. You couldn’t see the course, zoom in, etc. With all the technology out there gmap-pedometer, etc., this seems like an easy fiz.
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Submitted by tribri
May 31, 2012
Review
The OC Triathlon is a terrific Olympic course! This was my 3rd time doing this race and I’ll be doing it again next year. It’s a great tri-season jump starter. The water temperature is always warmer than I expect, so be careful of overheating in a wet suit. The bike course is fairly moderate with some hills so be sure to save something in the legs for the run course because it is punishing. The run starts off nice and easy with gradual downhill, but then there are 2 major inclines (a dirt trail between El Toro and Los Alisos and the road up Vista Del Lago from Los Alisos) at miles 4 and 5. T1 and T2 are about a mile apart so they are easily walkable for most spectators. My parents find it far more entertaining than watching a marathon.
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Submitted by runnerdude
December 30, 2011
Review
This tri is a “must do”! Especially if you live in So Cal. The pre race is organized and chill. The course is fun, with the run being challenging. I wish it wasn’t so expensive though.
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Submitted by me tri
December 23, 2011
Review
I graded this race a “B” but it’s a high B+ or A-. Race is well organized especially with all that’s going on. They run the duathlon at the same time as the Tri. Before the race park across the street at the regional park. It’s a short walk across the street. Like the lake swim and it’s marked well. As long as you know how to swim straight…! But there are plenty of things to site as you go(boats, houses, lifeguards). When you set up T1 make sure your bike is in an easy gear. You start the bike on a very short steep hill. From there there’s a lot of climbing, then straight away with some wind(always through there), another climb then downhill to T2. Easy run unitl climb at end. Finish line is at start point with a good number of people around and support. Only negatives…maybe a few more aid stations on the run and you have to set up T2 the day before. But good race, good people.
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Submitted by Rob Peterson
December 21, 2011
Review
This May will be the 3rd time doing this race. I think it’s one of my favorites all year long. The registration process and packet pick-up are easy. And they usually have a few “course discussions” in the weeks before the race. Probably worth your time to go because you get to run the course. The swim is great in fresh warm water. The bike has some climbing but does finish with a long downhill into T2. From there you’re running downhill to start then finish towards the end with a pretty good size hill. The finish line is same as start line @ Lake Mission Viejo. Not a real spectator friendly race because T2 is at a different location. Which is the only thing about this race I don’t like. Kind of a pain to set up T2 the day before the race then have to go back after the race to pick up your bike. But overall the race is excellent and very well run!
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Submitted by mid pack
December 21, 2011
Review
Love the OLY distance. This course is a challenge(at least for me) but fair at the same time. Big fan of the lake swim in Mission Viejo Lake. Huge difference between that and jumping into 60 degree ocean water! The bike course is difficult because of the hills and wind. But you finish with a two mile descent which gives you plenty of time to get ready for the run. Its the best start to a run anywhere! You are running downhill for the first few miles. Then you kind of traverse through some wooded areas with nice scenary and trails(again easy on the legs). But towards the end you do hit a serious climb of about a 1/2 mile. Then you’re down…up…down again to the finish line. They could use a few more support/aid stations(especially if its hot). The SWAG and after race atmosphere is pretty average for such a well run event. But overall I think it’s a good race.
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