Buffalo Triathlon Updates

 

(5-25-11)
Water Temp Variable but Rising Quickly

A few brave and perhaps slightly demented Buffalo Tri Club members have been swimming the course the past two weeks, and water temps have been rising from 58 to 64 the past week alone, anticipated to be above 68 by the practice swim on Tues and if the forecast for warm weather holds true, likely 70 or above on raceday. Most of Buffalo Lake is quite shallow, warming sooner than many other lakes. The water is much deeper this year than previous so the start will require less running.

Practice Swim Tuesday May 31

Our popular group practice swim be held on Tuesday at the race venue, open for all racers to attend. It is an excellent way for beginners to get a feel for a wave start, and for all racers to preview the conditions, entry strategy, and get one more open water swim in before the race. Despite our many lifeguards, we really prefer not to have racers swim their first open water swim of the season at the race! We will all enter the water promptly at 7pm, so arrive early to prepare and greet your fellow participants. We will have lifeguards present. Please exercise extreme caution if swimming the course at other times alone pre-race due to boat traffic in the area.

Two options for Wetsuit Rental

Wetsuits are recommended but not required, with historically as many as a half to a third of Sprint racers going without and still living to tell about it. They are strongly encouraged for all Olympic racers unless fully trained in cold water. Elsmore Swim will be onsite 6-8pm at the practice swim renting wetsuits at a special 25% off discount for Buffalo Tri racers. You will be able to keep your suit until after the race, but they will need to be returned to either of their metro stores or by mail as they will not be collecting them at the race. Please arrive early to the practice swim if planning on trying on rental suits. Wetsuits are also available online from our great sponsor, wetsuitrental.com, for the full week via the mail.

Participant List Posted

All participants who registered prior to May 6 should be listed on our participant page. Please contact our registration coordinator if you are expecting to race and your name does not appear (unless you registered after May 6th). The participant page will be updated with all racers along with your bib number and wave assignment by Sat, June 4th. We do allow changes from Oly to Sprint and vice versa but ask that you contact our registration coordinator with requests prior to May 30 as chip packets are prepared and printed once online registration closes.

 

(5-1-11)
NEW BIKE COURSES FOR 2011

Due to the complete road construction closure of the road (and absence of pavement) around Buffalo Lake to the south, both the short and long bike course this year have been re-designed for this year only. The Olympic course is essentially a two lap course of the Sprint course. The course is flatter and easier (and faster) than previous. See the new course map here.

The Sprint course heads out of the gate at Sturges Park and turns right onto HW25 and proceeds to CR147 heading east to HW55. Bikers cross the railroad tracks and turn right onto HW55, proceeding east to CR14, crossing the tracks again and proceeding south on CR14 to 115 (also called 32 and signed as 32) turning right and heading west to HW25, turning right again and heading north back towards Buffalo. Sprint Course bikers continue straight past 10th Street S, where Olympic Course bikers will turn right and start their second lap. All bikers return into Sturges Park coming west on HW25 and entering back through the gate.

(4-14-11)
RACE IS FILLING UP
BUT FEE INCREASE DELAYED TO MAY 1

Believe it or not, the ice has gone out on Buffalo Lake...and history dictates that a quick warm-up is to follow for the water of Buffalo Lake, being a shallow lake. Regardless, we realize many of you have been slow to unthaw this spring, and we are extending the $65 race fee until May 1st. We have over 1000 registered but want to give everyone the chance to get an early season event on their calendar and start a great spring of getting in shape!

EASIER BIKE COURSE FOR THIS YEAR

Also benefiting anyone having a late start to biking this year, we have newly designed bike courses this year for both short and long courses which are flatter than previous and should prove faster and easier. We are in final planning stages for these courses and will be posting new maps on the website May 1st.

BIKE GIVEAWAY OPEN FOR
ALL REGISTERED RACERS AGAIN THIS YEAR

We are pleased to announce that everyone registered for this years race will once again be automatically in the drawing for a new 2011 Trek Madone roadbike from Maple Grove Cycling valued at $2,000. Buffalo Triathlon race colors also no less! You must be present to win during the awards ceremony following lunch in front of the bandshell.

 

(3-17-11)
RACE IS HALF FULL

Registration for the 2011 8th annual Buffalo Triathlon has been more brisk than last year, and the race is expected to fill to maximum capacity of 1500 racers as raceday approaches. We encourage everyone to register prior to the April 15th fee increase!

NEW BIKE COURSE FOR 2011

New for this year only will be different bike courses for both the Sprint and Olympic races due to road construction on the old course. The new courses will be slightly less hilly and should prove to be faster than the previous courses. We will post the new courses here on the website by May 1st!

NEW HALF-MARATHON HERE MAY 7

The new Wright County Law Enforcement Half-Marathon & Torch Run for Special Olympics will be held in Sturges Park on Saturday, May 7th. Come join in for a great training run for the triathlon, preview our venue and course, and help support a great cause! For a full description of the event and to register, visit here

(11-27-10)
REGISTRATION FOR 2011 OPENS SOON

Registration for the 8th annual 2011 Buffalo Triathlon opens on Dec 1st. We are pleased to announce, in an era of escalating race fees, that we have dropped the price of individual entry to $50 for those registering before Dec 31. We also are continuing to offer youth entry for only $25; start thinking about encouraging the kids to join in your training for some quality family time!

BUFFALO TRI CLUB WORKOUTS RE-START DEC 1

The Buffalo Tri Club is going strong and continues to grow at 200 members on facebook. Membership is free. Group workouts are offered weekly for each swimming, running, and biking. Sign up on facebook (search groups for Buffalo Tri Club) to receive updates.
Non-Golds Gym members are able to buy limited access passes for the pool, indoor track, and spin-cycle sessions. Tri Club race jerseys and shorts are on display and available for purchase at Maple Grove Cycling, prices and details on facebook.

IRONMAN CHAMPION T SHIRT BEING AUCTIONED

We were saddened by the death of fellow racer Paul Joern the day after the race this past summer, but continue to be inspired by his fortitude in establishing the Tri-4-your-Cure Foundation during his final days. Helping fund melanoma research and providing assistance to others in need battling melanoma, Paul's foundation had its birth at Buffalo Triathlon, and we are pleased to announce that we have sent a Tri-4-your-Cure Tshirt literally around the world gathering signatures of several past and present Ironman and Olympic Triathlon Champions, including Natascha Badmann, Michelle Jones, Julie Dibbens, Matt Reed, Terenzo Bozzone, and Chris Legh. It is available to bid on now on ebay here with the auction closing live at the Tri Night Banquet in Minnetonka on Dec 4th.