TriRock Durban

[davem]

its the same day as eid (religious holiday)

 

I have been in contact with Grant the Race Director for TriRock. The clash with Eid was not expected. Perhaps someone with more understanding of what this means can mail him on info@tri-rock.com and explain the technical ins and outs. Urbn Rock is on Sat, TriRock on Sun. Will you be excluded from both?

[TriRock SA]

Afternoon Gents,

 

TriRock greetings on this Wednesday afternoon!

 

Thought that this would be a good time to answer a few items and correct some anomalies with regards to TriRock Durban.

 

First of all many thanks to those for the kind words, constructive input(we actually do like it!) and support for the event. Last year was a very long journey and at the end blown away to have just had the event in a big city like Durban. Our work for this year has actually been a ton harder. We choose big cities so that the sport of triathlon can finally get recognised in the same space as cycling and running. That means we fighting the existing status quo. That also means unlike in the established long distance venues where these races are the only main events happening there, we have to stand in line and fight our corner against the Comrades, Top Gears, etc. Has it been worth it, damn right! Seeing the response and the athletes enjoying themselves they way did and enjoy the culture of how we do long distance triathlon was fantastic!

 

However that not does mean we blind to our weaknesses which will be corrected:

 

- Marshalls: We did PAY for the marshalls. Apparently all trained and qualified but yet somehow the connection between water in bottle and the cup wasn't made. Hard to believe, there is little point in getting annoyed and on the day that was eventually corrected. So perhaps some TriRock marshall training in advance this year...

- EID's: Now this has been a real lesson. When you in the cut and thrust of trying to get a date which works for the city in between all their other events is Everest with no end sight EID's was missed in the discussion. We are working to get the date changed to accommodate this. Our mandate is to have as inclusive races as possible and obviously an item we will work with the community going to forward to ensure as far as humanly possible the race does not clash with EID or any other religious date for that matter.

- Athlete Guides: This is ever evolving especially in the early years. Guys we update when we feel the changes have stopped we will update. So will there a big update showing this years improvements which are significant to the overall logistics and enjoyment of the weekend. So in time and will let everyone know when ready.

- Suppliers: We had Robben Island two weeks after Durban and given that is no small event either and had to head their for preparations. Returned to Durban after RI race to begin attending to the usual post race items and suppliers.

I put it to you: If we don't pay our suppliers, how are we to put events on?

Would much prefer you giving constructive input over the race than over items that neither are true or have any value to the athlete.

 

In closing, want to say the following. Durban has no recent experience of triathlon. From metro to marshalls and event support sponsors were a little green. They have learnt and collectively we will improve. We aspire to offer you the athlete the very highest experience we can within our means for TriRock Durban. So yes, if we push the boundaries to get the right locations and if we fail in certain areas then so be it, we getting on with it and we will fix it. It was our first race. Whilst I know expectations I naturally high given the established nature of the other coastal races. We are also triathletes and remember the pressure and expectation we place on ourselves probably supersedes any of the athletes. Like you we love the sport, and race aswell. So understand when things don't quite to plan that improvements need to be made.

 

Ultimately, the more you the athlete get involved ultimately means the better we can be. Talk to us. Hope the above cleared a few misconceptions and gives some insight into the efforts to give you guys a top race experience in Durban.

 

See you at the start line!

 

Yours in Tri,

 

Grant

[Red Zone]

"We are working to get the date changed to accommodate this."

 

Grant are you looking to change the date for this years race? this may be an issue for those having entered, it certainly means that I wont enter until a date is finalised.

[Garfield2010]

Yes Grant please provide us with the info ASAP so that we can enter. Looking forward.

[Azi]

- EID's: .... We are working to get the date changed to accommodate this...

 

I missed Tri-Rock last year due to it clashing with another planned trip, so was very disappointed it clashed with Eid this year. Stoked that you are trying to move the date - no doubt you will make at least 30 okes from our group very happy!

 

Has a date been confirmed yet?

[kingalton]

I missed Tri-Rock last year due to it clashing with another planned trip, so was very disappointed it clashed with Eid this year. Stoked that you are trying to move the date - no doubt you will make at least 30 okes from our group very happy!

 

Has a date been confirmed yet?

Please confirm the dates asap, I have entered and just want to know the dates to start booking accommodation etc. thanks

[bigjoe]

Hi Grant

 

Can you please give us feedback regarding the dates? I would like to enter but wont do that until i have confirmation that the dates have been finalised.

 

Thanks

[bigjoe]

Hi Grant,

 

Please confirm urgently what the dates are. Just went onto the TSA website and TriRock is now listed as the 18th October, moved from the 5th October.

 

The 5th fell within the school holidays, the 18th doesnt.

 

Please respond asap as this is causing some headaches for me.....

[kingalton]

I sent a mail from their website earlier this week re the date change, yet to receive a response?

[Stiggy]

I just dropped Grant (TriRock organizer) who said the TSA was a "cockup" and would be rectified.

So as the website says, the race is still on 5 October!

[kingalton]

I just dropped Grant (TriRock organizer) who said the TSA was a "cockup" and would be rectified.

So as the website says, the race is still on 5 October!

and wont change from that date?

[TriRock SA]

Hi Guys,

 

Stuart thanks for the prompt. Been in the road so not been on the forums.

 

Gents, we been working tirelessly to get this date changed. The reason for silence is that between elections, public holidays and Durban Indaba this weekend, getting any sensible confirmations has been impossible. To those we not responded to yet apologies but didn't want to feed news we couldn't validate.

 

State of play:

We were notified a month or so back about the clash with EID's finishing on the Saturday. In the original discussions and requests for dates this was simply an oversight on our part in between getting slots between the other events on the Durban calendar. This has been a learning curve in that respect. Going forward we now fully up to speed.

 

The TSA date will be corrected. Seems to be done in error, nothing else.

 

We have 400 plus athletes at the moment, coupled with the fact we might only get clearance in a month or two we are going to keep with the published and existing date of 5th October 2014.

 

Race preparations have been going well and in the coming weeks will be updated athletes guides and other related info.

 

I hope this clears matters up. To those affected, guys please know that we done everything we can but really on dependent in city structures to confirm matters. The coach tail of public holidays, elections, etc have really played against us.

 

But be rest assured we know for the future!

 

Yours in Tri,

 

Grant

[Garfield2010]

So for now we should keep which dates open? Or rather if the date could change, will it be the same weekend or the next weekend?

[JGR]

Hi Guys,

 

Stuart thanks for the prompt. Been in the road so not been on the forums.

 

Gents, we been working tirelessly to get this date changed. The reason for silence is that between elections, public holidays and Durban Indaba this weekend, getting any sensible confirmations has been impossible. To those we not responded to yet apologies but didn't want to feed news we couldn't validate.

 

State of play:

We were notified a month or so back about the clash with EID's finishing on the Saturday. In the original discussions and requests for dates this was simply an oversight on our part in between getting slots between the other events on the Durban calendar. This has been a learning curve in that respect. Going forward we now fully up to speed.

 

The TSA date will be corrected. Seems to be done in error, nothing else.

 

We have 400 plus athletes at the moment, coupled with the fact we might only get clearance in a month or two we are going to keep with the published and existing date of 5th October 2014.

 

Race preparations have been going well and in the coming weeks will be updated athletes guides and other related info.

 

I hope this clears matters up. To those affected, guys please know that we done everything we can but really on dependent in city structures to confirm matters. The coach tail of public holidays, elections, etc have really played against us.

 

But be rest assured we know for the future!

 

Yours in Tri,

 

Grant

Might only get clearance? Does that mean nothing is in place with regards to co-operation from City of Durbs?

[bigjoe]

What is the point of having early bird entries, which by the way has now been sold out (1st 300)......if the dates can not be finalised?

 

With aIl the delays on getting an answer the fees have now gone up.....how convenient for the organiser. Seems like i will be skipping this one after really wanting to do it.

[davem]

What is the point of having early bird entries, which by the way has now been sold out (1st 300)......if the dates can not be finalised?

 

With aIl the delays on getting an answer the fees have now gone up.....how convenient for the organiser. Seems like i will be skipping this one after really wanting to do it.

 

From what I understand the race is on 5th October and is fully approved. Through the Hub, the organiser became aware of the clash with Eid so is attempting to move the date a little later to include more people. This means that he requires new CIty council approval for the new date. Given the holidays and the complexity of this process, it may take some time.

 

While this is not ideal from the point of view of booking accommodation and leave, it is still five months away so probably not yet critical for most of us.

 

This is a great race so go with the flow a bit. The race organiser has engaged on here with us, unlike others, (IMSA cough cough).