How standard are course lengths (with transitions)?

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How standard are course lengths (with transitions)? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-02-14 8:47 AM

User image

Veteran
434
10010010010025
Apex, NC
Subject: How standard are course lengths (with transitions)?
I finished my first olympic last year in a time that I was very pleased with but of course, one of this year's goals is to beat it.  Now naturally, I will set swim/bike/run goals but it's hard not to want to crush that 2:45.  The race was Chicago which contains a really long run from the swim to the transition (.25 miles or maybe more?).  So the question I'm curious about is how standard are course lengths?  That particular run was included in our T1 time.  I suppose the variability always come in the transition?  So the overall race times are not comparable?

2009-02-14 8:51 AM
in reply to: #1961971

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: How standard are course lengths (with transitions)?
Correct, every race is different.  But remember that everyone has to do the same course, so while comparing one race to another may not always result in an accurate value, comparing your splits to others in the race gives you a sense of where you stand.
2009-02-14 9:07 AM
in reply to: #1961971

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: How standard are course lengths (with transitions)?

Few (if any) of these courses are distance-certified, unlike in road racing (running) where most of them are and you find standard distances. You're going to find differences between races not only in transition but in the race segments themselves.

Also the differences in terrain (e.g., hills) and conditions, (e.g., wind and heat) make it difficult to compare a performance in one race to that in another.

2009-02-14 9:34 AM
in reply to: #1961971

User image

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: How standard are course lengths (with transitions)?

Olympic, HIM and IM races are supposed to be standard distances but aren't always.  HIM races I've done are 58 miles instead of 56 miles. Distances in transition can very greatly based on lay out of race.

Sprint races can be very different lengths.

2009-02-14 4:56 PM
in reply to: #1961971

Extreme Veteran
1030
100025
West Windsor, NJ
Subject: RE: How standard are course lengths (with transitions)?
Yeah, some of the RDs will probably chime in here..but I believe that (unless its a major race) there are basically general guideline ranges for distances. You are obviously dealing with nature here. For example, Its not always easy to get a perfect 56 mile loop that starts and ends in the same place. The only perfect way to do it is an out and back loop, and that can be a bore..so RDs may choose (wisely IMHO) to have an imperfect distance, but better course layout. And once you throw in transitions...it obviously totally depends on wherever the race is. Sometimes you can't even compare year to year...example is Black Bear. The RDs changed the transition area this year (thank you Larry and Michele) to be much closer to the water this year as compared to last year. The run and bike distances are relatively similar as last year, but the distance to transition is going to be much different.

I never realized how hard it was to lay out a course until I volunteered for the course committee with the ADA Tour De Cure this year. My god. Trying to get a course that is safe, fun, scenic, with good rest stop spots ...is a PITA.

Edited by JohnAgs3 2009-02-14 4:58 PM
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How standard are course lengths (with transitions)? Rss Feed