Pop quiz!
Question: What has three legs, nearly 1,500 moving parts, is over 25 years old, and is one of the best of its kind in the country? Answer: The Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. Presented by the Chattanooga Track Club, Team Magic, and Outdoor Chattanooga, the annual event is scheduled to return to the Scenic City on July 10 at 7:30 a.m.
The three legs, of course, are the three tests of physical stamina and endurance that make up the race. Participants literally dive into the competition off one of the docks at Scrappy Field and swim 1.5 kilometers down the Tennessee River to the 21st Century Waterfront. From there, they jog a short distance to the field in front of The Blue Plate and then hop onto their bikes for a 42-kilometer ride up and back down US 27. Once their legs are sufficiently fatigued, competitors return to where they picked up their bikes, dismount, and complete a 10-kilometer run along the Riverwalk.
Race co-director Jenni Berz says although the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon is considered an intermediate event due to its distance, it is challenging.
“You have to deal with the summer weather, and even though the swim is downstream, the bike course is very hilly. If you’re familiar with driving up North 27, then you know you have to gun it after Signal Mountain Road to get to the top of the hill at Morrison Springs. Plus, anywhere you run in Chattanooga, you’re going to encounter hills,” she says.
The nearly 1,500 moving parts, of course, are the people that compete in the race. According to Berz, they come in all shapes, sizes, ages, genders and degrees of fitness.
“We have the pro who’s out to win the cash purse all the way down to the amateur who has the triathlon in his bucket list,” Berz says. In terms of gender, the 2010 race attracted nearly twice as many men as women, which is not unexpected for an event the size of the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. What is surprising is the age spread. Last year, nearly two dozen teenagers competed in the race alongside three men who were over 70-years-old.
“We also see a lot of dads, moms and kids competing together,” Berz says.
The Chattanooga Water-front Triathlon also attracts a geographically diverse group of triathletes. In 2010, 1,477 participants from 25 states competed in the race, including five from California, seven from Texas, three from New Jersey, and 22 from Florida. Many of these people were drawn to the Scenic City event when Competitor Magazine in 2009 voted it the best triathlon in the Southeast U.S.
With completion times ranging from a brisk 1 hour, 57 minutes, and 37 seconds to a leisurely four hours, 40 minutes, and 49 seconds, it can be difficult for the organizers of the event to make it a good experience for everyone. But by categorizing racers according to athletic ability, they pull it off. “The Pro Elite category is for professional racers. The Clydesdale and Athena categories are for people of a certain weight. For example, if I’m competing against someone who has the same athletic ability as me but is 30 pounds lighter, that places me at a disadvantage,” Berz says.
Participants can also choose to complete certain portions of the race and skip others. For example, the Aquabike category is for people who want to swim and bike but pass on the run.
Even better, the organizers of the triathlon have figured out a way to reward every person who crosses the finish line. “Our goal this year is to reward everyone, no matter what your time was. While the fastest people will get the monetary rewards, we have great sponsors that are providing us with cool stuff to give away, including bike helmets, sunglasses and other popular high-end gear,” Berz says. Berz says the corps of over 400 volunteers also helps to make the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon a smooth ride for everyone involved. “We could not put on this event without the City of Chattanooga and the over 400 volunteers who support every aspect of the race, from setting up bike racks, to canoeing the river to keep swimmers safe, to passing out water and PowerAde, to leaving the Waterfront cleaner than we found it,” she says.
In the end, the goal of the presenters is to make sure everyone leaves happy. “We pour a lot of time and energy into making sure the racers, the spectators, and the volunteers have a great time,” Berz says. With regard to spectators, Berz says the best places to watch the race are the 21st Century Waterfront, where vendors and triathlon trainers will be set up and offering their wares and services. She also recommends Bluff View, which offers a glimpse of the swimming and running portions of the race.
Because the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon attracts entire families to the Scenic City, Berz says the event has a significant economic impact on the city. She expects the 2011 race will bring more than $1 million into the city.
“Chattanooga is a tourist town, so there’s plenty for people to do and see. Plus, the triathlon takes place downtown, where the Tennessee Aquarium, a lot of great restaurants, and several hotels are located,” Berz says. An event like the Chatta-nooga Waterfront Triathlon typically inspires others to join in the fun. While it’s too late to get in shape for this year’s event, Berz says several local groups can help individuals train for the 2012 triathlon. In addition, Team Magic, a multisport event management company, has triathlon training videos on its Web site at www.team-magic.com.
“Competing in a triathlon takes preparation. You need experience and training in each discipline. You’re going to want to train for a couple of months or more for the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon, as it’s not an event for beginners,” Berz says.
While the 2011 Chattanoo-ga Waterfront Triathlon might have some locals thinking about working out for next year’s event, Berz isn’t looking ahead to 2012 just yet. Rather, she and the rest of the team are busy putting the final details in place for the July 10 event. Although registration for competitors has closed, more volunteers are needed, she says.
And no pop quizzes will be given.
To volunteer, email Berz at jberz@chattanoogatrackclub.org. To learn more about the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon, visit www.chattanoogatriathlon.com.