New Sprint Triathlon Series in Savannah

After holding three successful sprint tris at L. Scott Stell Community Park in Savannah, Radek Parnika has decided to make it a four-race series for 2009. This is the same model as the Charleston Sprint Series at James Island, and actually, the race is very similar in distance. For more information about this race and course, read the race profile I wrote earlier this year.

The distances are:
500 Yards Swim (lake/pond)
16 Mile Bike (flat and fast; open to traffic, but very little; wind could be a factor)
3 Mile Run (2 loops around the lake/pond within the park; 200 yds or so of XC)

2009 Race Dates:
#1 MARCH 29
#2 APRIL 19
#3 MAY 10
#4 MAY 24

All events take place at 7:30 on Sundays, L. Scott Stell Community Park, Savannah, Ga.

Click here to for more information.

Upstate Y Sprint Triathlon Series
I heard about this series of sprint tris last year. I’ve never raced any of them, so I’m not sure about cost, number of participants, etc. I considered going to Rock Hill last year because the Rock Hill race also offered a duathlon event at the same time. But it’s a hike. In fact, except for Irmo, I don’t think any of these are ‘drivable’ from Charleston on race morning.

Here are the tentative dates for 2009:
April 5: Anderson
April 19: Greenwood
May 9: Rock Hill
May 30: Middle Tyger
June 13: Irmo (new to the Series)
July 19: Union
August 19: Laurens
September 12 or 19: Pickens

Click here for more information.

Cancelled Events for 2009

The 2009 Tybee Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K events have been cancelled. Not much more information on their website, but it does say “Look for our return in 2010.” I hope that’s the case. I hate to see races die, and I don’t want to add this race to my RIP list.

Here's a blurb from Savannah's daily paper: "Volunteer shortage, sponsorship issues force one-year hiatus. The Tybee Marathon is taking a breather. Organizers recently cancelled the 2009 edition of the area's longest running road race. A representative of the Savannah Striders Track Club, which has put on the race since it moved from Savannah to Tybee in 1996, blamed a shortage of volunteers as well as Memorial Health's decision to withdraw its sponsorship. The Striders plan is to renew the race in 2010."

I don’t know too much about this event, but it’s one of the three marathons in the area – Myrtle Beach (Feb), Tybee (Feb), and Kiawah (Dec). It’s less expensive than the others, and the field is really small (just over 300 for the marathon). It’s a flat course, so times can be fast, but you never know how cold it will be.

My brother did this race a few years ago and said he was pretty miserable. It was really cold and windy, and with so few other runners, he ran long stretches of highway seemingly alone. Of course, this was his first marathon, and part of that misery was because first-time marathons aren’t typically pleasant, particularly miles 20-25.

But I can see his point. For a first time marathon, you probably want to run in a larger field, and even better, with a friend or family member. It helps keep you motivated. Other runners can pull you along; remind you that you are indeed in a race and not running alone; block wind; keep you company, etc.
















My first marathon was in Las Vegas with about 10,000 other runners. By mile 15, I had run down the entire Las Vegas strip and through Fremont St., seen a live band at each mile marker, saw several couples get married at mile 5 (only in Vegas), saw at least 50 runners dressed as Elvis, and one naked runner (he had on only a nude-color bikini). And that’s with people all around me and crowds lining the streets for much of the race. The miles flew by and it was a great experience for a first marathon.

Now, with a marathon under my belt (3:57 by the way), if I wanted to go for a lower time and stay closer to home, Tybee would work perfectly. So, come on Tybee. We do indeed “look for your return in 2010.”

Tour de Georgia Cancelled
This announcement was made a few weeks ago. Bummer. Apparently they couldn’t secure a title sponsor but do hope to regroup for 2010. This race has turned out to be a pretty popular event, attracting many big time professional teams, including the old Disco team and Lance himself.













A buddy of mine went down the past few years and said it was a blast. And unless
you go to California or France, this is probably the only professional stage racing you’re likely to see. Let’s hope this event bounces back in 2010.

If you want more information, check out this article from Pro Cycling News.

Resolution 5k Cancelled
Not to end on a bad note, but I don't see any listing for the Resolution 5k. This is an early morning New Year's Day 5k. I think this would be the 7th year they've done this race. I ran it several years ago and it's a fun way to start the year. Maybe it's there and I just can't find it. We shall see....

Bald spot grows exponentially in 2008

Mt. Pleasant, SC – While viewing a photograph from a recent race, area resident Justin Ward expressed surprise at the diameter of his ever-increasing bald spot. “I really don’t ever see the top of my head,” said Ward in a recent interview. “I mean, I knew it was there, but from the looks of things, I’d say it’s really on the move now.”

Ward, long-known for his Eddie Munster-like receding hairline, welcomed the ensuing battle royale on his head for balding dominance. “It’s really turning out to be good a race. My receding hairline has been the dominant feature of my male pattern baldness for over 10 years. Now, with my bald spot making this powerful move, I’d say it’s going to be a real battle.”

Experts agree that it could go either way at this point. “I got the receding hairline as a slight favorite at the moment,” says one Vegas odds maker who wishes to remain anonymous. “But really, with this kind of thing, you really can’t tell. We’ll know more next year for sure.”