montreal espirt tri

[michellepot]

Hello,

Has anybody done this race in the past? It looks fantastic, although very large with over 1500 participants. The website was not very clear with when transition opens/closes, etc. I guess you can get your race kit up to 2hrs before your event, but I was wondering if that would make things rushed? The only other thing I was wondering is if it is worth going to the pre-race meeting the day before the race? I am only doing the sprint, so I do not imagine it would be as complicated as the Esprit or Demi-Esprit. Thoughts?

thanks,

Michelle

ps was anybody in Cobourg this weekend? The swim course was altered to 375m loops at depths where you could always touch the bottom as the lake temp was 58 degrees   !!!

[Sandy]

Hi Michelle,

My husband has done this race before but has done the demi so he was at the race meeting the night before and was early to transition.  It is a great race in a compact venue, no more complicated then any other tri other then the loops so if you want detailed info regarding how the bike loops/tracking goes I would suggest you attend the meeting.  As you know race day is hectic for volunteers and organizers which is why they are having the pre-race meeting.  If you are good with going with the flow then I would say it's not a must attend.  I would think that 2 hours prior to start would be adequate time to get set up.  We were there some years ago and parked very closed to transition so it wasn't a big deal to get everything done but I don't remember the athlete capacity back then.

[Allan]

It is not complicated at all. I did the half a few years ago and picked up my race kit the morning of the race. As Sandy mentioned, parking is very close and unless they've changed the order, the sprint starts well after the full and half IM distance races so you can get there, get set up and watch some folks exiting the swim and heading out on the bike to help with your logistical plans. It is a lot of fun and a fast course no matter what the conditions are (I had a 4 minute pb in the half on a cold day with heavy rain and winds!).

[michellepot]

Thanks for the information. I am trying to get a half day off on the Friday so I can be there in plenty of time; sounds like a fun weekend. I can't see a pb with that many people, but the conditions seem ideal! Sandy are you  not competing in one of the larger races there this year? If so, good luck!
thanks,
Michelle