Race Coverage

The Off Season is Overrated...

Saturday, 18 March 2023 00:10

By Tim Brown 

Can we all agree that winter is too long and the tri season is far too short up here in the tundra?

Given that this was one of those magic years in which I transitioned from oldest to youngest in my age group, I decided to ditch the off season. This race season started with a trip down to Miami / Homestead Florida for the Clash 70.3 Triathlon. Clash Events (clashendurance.com) are held at some of the country’s most notable motor speedways. Clash Miami offers a professional triathlon race, sprint tri, bike relay, and half iron triathlon races. I signed up for the 70.3 held on Sunday, March 12th....

The swim takes place in a spring fed lake/pond located at the center of the track infield. The water was crystal clear, warm (84 degrees making it non-wetsuit legal), shallow, and free of ‘gators! Although this is a fairly narrow two lap course, the time trial format makes for a pretty comfortable swim.

The bike is a closed course starting on the race track, exits the speedway through a tunnel, and sends you out by road to the Florida Keys. This is a flat, relatively smooth, and super fast course. The only elevation change takes place over the bridge to the keys which is the turn around point of the course.

The run course is a combination of race track and local roadways that finishes near the speedway’s winner circle. Make sure to bring lots of sun screen for this course. Hot for sure but there were plenty of welcome aid stations offering fluids and ice.

This is a very fun race experience. Great race staff, lots of free parking, an on time and efficient awards ceremony that combines men/women on the podium together (Race directors take note!), and very interesting scenery/venue. A highly recommended race to extend our short season (and shorten winter!). Looking to extend the end of this season? Clash Daytona will be held this December (1st-3rd) and will be the USAT Long Distance Triathlon National Championship.

Up next for me will be the USAT Multisport Festival in Irving, Texas (https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Triathlon/Events/National-Championships/Multisport-National-Championships-Festival) being held April 19th-23rd. This event offers racers an opportunity to compete in a national event venue without qualification requirements. There are a host of national championship events including; Open water swim, both draft and non-draft short distance triathlon, aquathon, relays, and short and long distance duathlon races, some offering qualification spots for Team USA.

The USAT Multisport Festival is a great way to experience the national multisport community at its very best.