14th Jackie Kallal Triathlon 2010 Race Report

The 14th Jackie Kallal Tri held Saturday 12 June 2010 (yesterday) was a resounding success with a record 137 racers of all ages and walks of life. Forecasted thunderstorms were a no show, instead racers enjoyed a sweltering hot day with temps in the 80s.

There were already hundreds of people milling around Yellow Creek State Park when we rolled in at 8.10 am. Registration was from 7.30 - 8.30 am, so there was ample time for Ben B. to sign up and hand over his forty bucks to Habitat for Humanity. Spencer had pre-registered, so all he needed to do was pick up his race packet, which contained a t-shirt, swim cap, bunch of goodies and race info. Donuts and other breakfast foods (generously donated by various local sponsors) were provided for the racers - Ben grabbed one. Mmmm.

After being branded by a friendly volunteer, we headed over to
the Transition Area by the beach.

The Transition is where frenzied action takes place during the swim-bike and bike-run legs. Spencer found a spot reasonably close to the bike start point and laid down his stuff on a tarp next to his bike. Ben set up next to him. The list of stuff follows: Bike, bike shoes, helmet (compulsory), sunglasses, heart rate monitor, water, recovery drink, gel packs, wet suit, goggles, socks, towel, bandanna, tire pump, spare tube, tool set, running shoes.

Everyone gathered by the beach for a short speech, prayer and singing of the National Anthem. Then the racers arranged themselves by cap color in orderly lines.

Ben and Spencer who were in the 30-34 and 35-39 men's age group, respectively, had saucy green swim caps. They were in the first wave. 'Ready...GO!' The first wave plunged into the 1/2 mile swim with a flurry of ferocious splashes.

Next up, a couple minutes later were the purples, and last were the yellow capped racers. Not long after the last yellow paddled out, the first swimmer, Rebecca, finished her swim leg and sprinted off to the Transition. Go girl! After a bit, the first green-capped mortals beached themselves and took off for the Transition. Spencer was 14th out of the water, and I followed him on the sidelines as he huffed to the Transition for the bike leg. The bike leg is a 9.5 mile closed road bike course that dishes out some killer climbs for the racers' pleasure. He struggled getting his wetsuit off and bike shirt on backwards (oops), put on his socks and bike shoes, helmet, and he was on his way. This was where early birds who snagged transition spots closest to the bike finish point had a wee advantage - racers have to run their bikes to the bike start point, so the closer the better.

I hung around the Transition waiting for Spencer to return, saw Ben off, and took a bunch of photos. Now Ben is a tri-virgin, and swimming isn't really his thing, so I was glad to see that he had gotten his most difficult leg out of the way and could now look forward to having an increasingly wonderful first triathlon. I saw the last swimmer jog into the Transition, change and crank out on her bike. It wasn't long after that that the first cyclist barrelled in. Those in teams had to rack their bikes before their team mate could start on the 3.5 mile running leg.

I saw a bunch of runners off, then made my way to the Finish Line to welcome Spencer and Ben. Ben had made good time on his bike and even better on his run (he does marathons for breakfast). He crossed the finish with a guttural roar, 3rd in his category and 17th overall. Yay Ben! Spencer cruised in shortly after, finishing 7th in his group and 37th overall. Woohoo! It was wonderful watching all the racers cross the finish line. One racer jogged across the finish with his two kids, one tucked under his right arm. Another raised her arms in triumph as she crossed the line - joy shining through the weariness on her face. I wondered what each racers' stories were. Why they raced, how they'd trained, how they felt about all this. 

There was a generous spread of baked goods, fruit and warm Gatorade at the Pavilion that racers replenished their expended calories with.

The atmosphere was cosy and friendly and the camraderie was pretty amazing among the racers and everyone there. Families, friends, supporters, volunteers, cheered as the prize winners were called out. The oldest and youngest racer, received a special gift, as with the racer who came all the way from Wisconsin. The prize winners looked happy, everyone looked happy.

In the spirit of the Jackie Kallal Triathlon, I believe everyone who came that day, went home a winner.

For the race results, CLICK HERE (then click on the 'Yellow Creek Triathlon' to download the Word doc).
For some 500 photos of the race, CLICK HERE .

If I get some time I might put together a video of the race, so check back in the next month or so to see if you have a starring role ;) . In the meantime check out my video of the bike-kayak-run Yough Xtreme Adventure Race 2010 to whet your appetite.

xo Grace

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