Race Distances
- swim 350m
- bike 10km
- run 2.5km
To start off the season the I decided to sign up for the Milton Triathlon. I went with the Chariot Try-a-Tri just to get the cobwebs off my legs. I found the run off the bike just wasn’t working for me and the thought of just jumping into my first Sprint distance at Welland then do Muskoka 5i50 terrified me.
Personally, I love Kelso Conservation Area and frequently think that it’s a Mecca to triathletes in the GTA. Driving in and parking wasn’t a problem and I was greeted at 7:00am by smiling faces of the park staff and race organizers. After parking the car there’s a bit of a walk to were the transition area and all the action.
When arriving at the transition area, everything is laid out and you can go straight to racking your bike by the event your competing in. This may have been a bit confusing for a first timer but again the organizers are so friendly it’s no problem finding someone to ask a question.
NOTE: If considering this race please rack your bike first because to register for the events you will be walking down a bit of a slippery slope, especially if there was a morning mist. I like to think of this as a warm up J
When you get down into the valley, you have registration along with the vendors for the expo. Again all very friendly welcoming people willing to chat with you about your event and offer advice. For those that are interested in the shirts, a technical material was offered this year with a graphic design on it; pretty cool. Pay attention to the sizing chart when registering online to these events as they often only order according to how many have registered, therefore no extras to exchange if you accidently click the wrong button (this is from experience).
After getting all my needed gear from registration it’s a hike up the narrow slope and straight into transition. The Chariot Try-a-Tri was a bit crowded but with a lot of first timers, all are in good spirits. I decided to lay out my gear, a kind of claim of territory, I walked the transition area and beach to get a visual of exactly where to go out of the water, out to the bike, and out to the run. Here I did find a bit of confusion within the swim course, as to which buoys’ to go around and when asking the lifeguards they were a bit unclear as well. Within 5 minutes an organization member was there to direct both athletes and guards to make for a safe swim.
By that time it was time to tackle my personal eternal struggle, putting on the wet suit (HA!). Once suited up, athletes were free to head towards the water and get a free strokes in to warm up. It wasn’t long after that we were called to the shore to start our race. With the announcer being as enthusiastic as the Kona announcer, he sent us off with the sound of a horn.
The water was a bit nippy, so I do recommend that you allow it to seep in through the zipper before really going for the swim leg of the race. Also RENT A WET SUIT! I cringed looking at athletes going without, especially with the water being as cold as it was.
It was a mass start which really wasn’t that intimidating. If you have any worries about this just stay near the back as if you have a decent stroke you will catch up to others. The water is a bit murky, but it’s a lake so you can’t ask for anything else. The weeds had been trimmed prior to the race so there was nothing to get tangled in.
Exiting the water to T1, is a bit hard on the feet with thin carpet lining the paved ground. The transition area itself was relatively clear of gravel. Out to the bike, you ride through the exit of Kelso and out to the roads; across Tremain and then up a gradual climb up Campbville Road. The turnaround is at Appleby Line. Overall the ride is a ride one, relaxing for an experienced rider but a bit of a challenge for a newer one. You can see the difference having a road or a tri bike make on this ride, but very doable on your average bike.
Into T2 is the dreaded dismount at the line. Organizers are watching for if you cross the line prior to dismounting or any of the violations against the helmet policies. Safe from those, I racked the bike, slipped on my running shoes and head out for the last leg of the race.
The run out is through the transition areas and then up a “paved” hill. Paved is in quotations as it is not truly paved, more a dirt packed trail that on a rainy day would be a bit muddy. Thankful that the rain stated away, I trotted up the hill quicker than I originally anticipated. The run then follows the lake that you just swam in and then goes up a slight “bump”. I believe this is the back of the tubing hill the area uses in the winter. It then rolls downwards and you are on the pathway the runs parallel to the beach area, which is lined with trees giving a very calming feel.
This is an out and back run and you have an aid station just at the 1k or 1.25k mark. Once you hit the turn around, it’s all downhill from there J You run back down the trail and cut downhill past a small museum area that’s within the conservation area, and then follow the paved road way that you most likely drove in the morning to park your car, back into the transition area to see the lovely big clock showing your PB.
For me this was overall a great first of the season race with awesome organizers. A definite will do again, but the longer distance next year J
Till Welland.
