Overall
Pre-race
Course
Post-race
Submitted by tjacobsen
September 24, 2012
Review
Pre-race: It’s nice to have the safety talk and course walkthrough. They had late registration possible as well. I didn’t see any early AM check in available, although it may have been. Parking was convenient and close for participants and guests.
Transition: There was the typical “clear out the transition area” fuss, and some disorganization with the communication. Body marking was unorganized and floating around. Plenty of rack room, with wide aisles to run through. No trash receptacles. Bike out signage was not clear, but there was plenty of verbal communication.
Swim: Entry location was well selected, heat size probably too large, 3 Min interval between heats was perfect. Organizers blew the yardage for the swim, 2-300Yd too long. Water was murky, Doheny isn’t the cleanest beach… but there was no surf or current.
Bike: Excellent bike course, a pure thrill to have the whole road for the trip down Ortega. Only the narrow lane in the residential neighborhood should have been wider (5-6′ is too tight for racing) . I rode up on one accident that appeared to be a result of the limited space.
Run: One of the worst courses I have run so far. The 1.5 miles on the soft sand was just irrational, especially with plenty of paved roads and sidewalks available. The 3 loops on PCH, hot and sloped asphalt was more torture. It appeared as though the organizers couldn’t manage, afford, or get the permits to put the run into San Clemente, or even down to the science center in the harbor, which would have eliminated so much of the troubled areas.
Fuel Stations: Well positioned throughout, most had COLD water (thank you) and watered down HEED, gel, salt, bananas and oranges on the run. I could have done without the salt tablets, and preferred more solid fuel options like they had the year before.
Volunteers: Plenty of friendly and encouraging friends who were loud, helpful, and brave to endure the
heat, humidity and challenging course.
Post Race: Pretty apathetic and scattered. Not conducive to socializing, only a handfull of vendors, and poorly marked fuel stations.
Would I do this tri for the third time? Only if the run were organized as a run, not an obstacle course.
Overall
Pre-race
Course
Post-race
Submitted by Shane Galitski
September 24, 2012
Review
I will first stipulate that I participated in this event as a relay. So with that said it could easily be said that this race is NOT geared toward teams of a relay. As no fault to the volunteers (who in generally where greatly appreciated by myself and my team are very thankful for their support during the different events) could not answer specific questions, pre-race and in transitions. They also did not know who to direct us to go try and get answers.
The course:
Swim – was not bad although could have had more defined buoy turn points. Great amount of respect and thanks to the lifeguards and other in the water.
Bike ride – was probably the best controlled for safety and support – granted the first half uphill the heat had to be the biggest challenge, but having the open road of Ortega was an extreme ride.
Run – was probably the worst route I have run so far. Not only do you run “at they stated 7/10 of a mile” on soft sand near the start of the race you finish the last half mile or so on this same sand. So much for kicking it up in speed to finish strong, this just kills the knees and hips. Also the “Three” loops on PCH asphalt were very draining and only increased the radiant heat with the entire runners going back and forth.
Post-race- Again I will thank all the volunteers for their support, but when I finished the run and got my medal – No one in the area knew what was supposed to happen for my teammates in the relay. I eventually just grabbed to more medals for them. So this is more poor communication on the race directors and those that put on the race.
In the end, I don’t believe I will, nor my race partners will participate in this or any other Go Forward Racing event – until I hear and or see improvements.
Overall
Pre-race
Course
Post-race
Submitted by The Bear
December 27, 2011
Review
Loved the race last year. They had some issues since it was the first year, but overall it was good.
They put this together pretty fast. So, not a big turn out of vendorws at the pre-registration. I always like to see the newest stuff and get a bargin.
The swim was good except for putting the girls out front and a lack of boueys. We kind of swam over the girls. I did like seeing them during the bike ride though. So, there were benifits to having the girls go first.
The bike ride up and down Ortega was awesome. Could not ask for a better ride! I would do this event just for the ride. The canyon is so quiet you forget you are in Orange County.
The run was quite difficult. It was on an up and down a path. I have never seen so many ups and downs. It was killer.
Overall it was a great course, but I love a challenge.
Evidently, there was post race pizza. I was not directed to it. So, I missed out. Everytime I looked around there was someone with pizza. Bummer! I wanted some…
So here is the bad news: I was hoping to do the course again and make it a reagular event. However, they have decided to swim at Doheny this year. Doheny is a really filthy, gross beach. I do not like getting sick. I will pass this year, but look forward to seeing if they change the swim location in future years.
