CSTS Race Weekend

The first race in the Charleston Triathlon Sprint Series (CSTS) is this Sunday. I love these races at James Island County Park. They’ve sort of become the cornerstone of the Charleston triathlon scene. Every summer (for 18 years now) we have a four-race tri series to look forward to and plan our summer season around. Runners have the Cooper River Bridge Run, triathletes have James Island. That’s just the way it is.

As I wrote in an earlier post, this was my first triathlon ever, but that’s not the only reason I’m so big on these races. In no particular order, here are a few of my favorite things (sorry, just watched Mary Poppins with the kids) about the CSTS...

Race director Paul King is my neighbor and I know first hand how hard he works to produce the series. As an ex-triathlete himself, he knows how to put on race, and he's been doing it so long, it's safe to say he's worked out the kinks -- although, he'll be the first to tell you that every race is different and has it's own challenges.

I love that this is a fast race -- short swim, short bike, 5k, you're done. You can go all out the entire race and not risk bonking. It also makes it really doable for beginners, so there are always first-timers. With a good mix of newbies and seasoned vets, plus a max capacity field, it's a big race with a good vibe.

And I like Sunday races. Don't ask me why. The first race usually falls on Father's Day which is fun. My wife will typically do at least one of the races with me, or sometimes just opt to bring the kids out to watch.

If you are a competitor in your age group or division, you can try for the series championship by racing in 3 or more races. That makes for some lively competition. Everyone wants to do well at these races.

And how can you not love the swim?! I'm not sure if it's actually a lake or a pond, or a tidal lake? Supposedly, it has 'moving' water in that the incoming tides do affect the water levels, but it's not moving much. Two years ago we had to sign a waiver stating that we understood that DHEC checked the bacteria levels in the water and deemed it unfit for swimming. Why that is funny to me, I don't know.

I've also been told there is an alligator that's been spotted a number of times out there, but I've never seen it. The bottom line is that for local triathletes, this is our home course. We know every inch of the course and wouldn't change a thing.

So for everyone racing this Sunday morning, good luck -- and watch out for that gator!