Race start time change

[i...@24hoursoftriathlon.com]

Dear Ian,
We’re happy about the change in date since so many other things run on
Labor Day.  However, since we come from WI to do the race, a 10 am
start/finish would be tough since we have to pack up, etc. and still
make an afternoon flight out so we can be at work on Monday.  (Fridays
are typically easier for us to arrange off from work.)  It’s
attractive if you live locally  - since you could actually have a
better night’s sleep before the race.
 
Loved the race – we had a good time and learned a lot by watching
other teams.  I heard someone bending your ear about going back to the
1⁄2 mile swim.  As one of our swimmers, I’ll tell you that 1⁄4 mile in
the chop we had on Saturday afternoon – was enough.  1⁄2 mile would
have been really fatiguing for those of us who aren’t world class
swimmers.  (And from an administrator’s point of view – 1⁄4 is much
easier to patrol for safety.)
 
I also know that volunteers are hard to find – but not having the left
turn staffed at the beginning of the bike leg, was difficult.  My
first time out was near dusk and the volunteer was there.  My second
time out in total darkness, I remembered the turn, but not how the
cones were set up and rolled over the curb and median.  Thank goodness
for my bike handling skills or that could have been ugly.  (And I had
both a headlamp and a light on my bike.)
 
We also saw people cutting the course on the bike – that’s their loss,
but a timing mat out at the turnarounds (even if faux) would make them
think twice about cutting the course.  Also instruct people to sing,
yell, talk loudly when it’s dusk or dawn – keeps the deer on their
side of the real estate.
 
Love your logo, the medals, the hat, the shirt.  Nice schwag.  Ask
‘chamois butt’ to sponsor – this race we used a lot!
 
Best of luck planning the next ‘go around’.  Maybe after once you feel
you have it down – you’d think about a Midwest version in the
Chicagoland area.  Lots of tri nuts here.