Calling all triathletes opinion for a new race

[Garfield2010]

Distances from Gariep

 

Bloemfontein - 187km

JHB - 580km (N1)

CPT - 827km

PE - 490km

Durban - 822km

 

Venue information

 

http://www.forevergariep.co.za/

[RABUBI]

Why not combine with more events?

-MTB, trail run, etc to make it worth travelling

[Garfield2010]

Rabubi that is the plan.  It must be a weekend with various events and options.  We are just testing the feeling for the "main" race

[Grondpad]

My 2c

 

I think it should be something in the line of the Xterra formula. The reason I say this is…

 

There are already a couple of Ultra distance around and close to City’s so not many will be keen to travel for an unknown event.
Ironman distance --- well, there is only one Ironman.
Xterra is off-road so it is a good to lure the ‘something different factor’.
Most people consider the Olympic distance/Xterra distance doable but still a serious challenge.
The Olympic distance/Xterra distance is short enough for novices or the inexperienced to do as a team.
Those that compete as individuals in the race will still be keen/in the condition to do a trail run the next day.
Dad’s & Moms doing the tri can be back in time to join there kiddies in a type of MudMan kiddies tri (lekker weekend away).

 

Like I said, its just my opinion

[Azi]

I don't think I'd drive to Gariep (from Jhb) for a triathlon.

 

Within a month of that there are two half IM distances (Durban 70.3 in August and Tri-Rock Durban in October) that are the same distance away from Jhb but also includes a lekker family holiday in Durban. I can't see the venue competing with Durban for me personally, and don't think I'd drive down for a shorter race.

 

As a side I would love to see a full IM distance race in or closer to Jhb than PE.

[Red Zone]

My main problem is that September is a very busy time of year for with CT marathon, Table Mountain Challenge, Tri Rock (early Oct). I also dont think I could get the family to go to Gariep Dam for a long weekend

[Snytjie]

Agree with above: lots on offer right through the year; Gariep is a bit way-out. 

[Bianchi Baby]

We live in Nelspruit so it's very very far for us to travel sorry

[TYWALK]

another 70.3 in the cradle may do well if its organised properly and at a different time of year. 

 

A good suggestion would be to try incorporate the krugersdorp highway into the route. 

 

A lane of the highway was closed for a cycle race a few weeks back. 

[Ratty]

Too much on at that time of year with things like Karoo to Coast,  Impi, Berg and Bush etc.

 

I would love more off-road triathlons, not enough of them.

[Garfield2010]

The date is flexible.  Keep voting

[davem]

Hi Garf

 

Like any business you have to understand your value proposition. Once you know what you are offering, customers will vote with their wallets. You can't be all things to all people. A few observations which may assist:

1. You are not Ironman. Not a bad thing. But you won't get people blindly entering. Ironman (particularly 70.3) is a fashionable bucketlist type event that attracts a lot of entries, has a fairly high fall out rate prior to the start. Very testosterone fuelled environment. Ironman is about me, the athlete.
2. When you are not Ironman, price is important, certainly as you establish yourselves. It doesn't have to be free but a reasonable price means I can do TriRock and Gariep.
3. Take into account the whole event cost to the athlete (not equipment) including accommodation etc.
4. What is the atmosphere you want to create. RaRa testosterone or Midlands Ultra chill? There is room for both.
5. The course can be the attraction. Is it pancake flat for a fun relatively easy weekend, or it is a real challenge to uncork the energies for your Ironman season. Are you chasing a PB or the satisfaction of taming the monster. Don't be bland about the course.
6. What else will I be doing during my weekend in Gariep? What will my family be doing. EL and PE is all about the race. You arrive and then wait and wait and wait and then race and then go home. Durban is different. 
7. Taking into account all of the above, not all triathletes are looking for the same thing. First timers are less picky because they are focused on the completing the distance, those of us who have done a few are looking for variety, interesting experiences.

So to answer your question, would I be interested in a new triathlon at Gariep Dam. Probably not.

 

Would I be interested in a long weekend at Gariep Dam staying in a rustic cabin with my wife, braai-ing under a billion stars with some mates followed by a challenging race, swimming in pristine flat water, followed by a cycle and run through beautiful countryside? Hell yeah!

[Johnstoneighty6]

Here is my 2c.(have not read all the posts so if this has been mentioned I apologize).

 

A big pull towards races is not only what you get out of the race itself, but what you actually get for completing it. Trophy, prize money or even a pair of socks... (That actually happened to me once). I also feel like South Africa needs a half/full race where there is no pro field (Forgive me if there is already). Where everyone is equal and when the gun goes off you are literally racing the best. That may just be a strong pull for all the top age groupers around SA.

 

In PE, a sprint distance event was started this year called Tri-A-Fun, no pro category... Everyone was an equal and if you were good enough, you could beat a pro or two. For the top age groupers that is very appealing.

 

Then going back to the Prizes, Tri-A-Fun was such a success because it was supported by a few local companies. The top 3 in each age group went away with an awesome prize. Nutrition, shoes, someone even won 10kgs of calamari.... That is the way triathlon used to be, there was actually something else, other than a pat on the back when you won your age cat. 

 

Sponsors make a race.

[davem]

Replace the medal with a half-jack of best Free State Mampoer in a branded bottle.

[TYWALK]

Instead of a medal a nice branded jacket like the guys got at Rockman X tri - would be cool. 

[davem]

Forget my idea. Go with the branded jacket. Have Mampoer at the water points!