General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Augusta 70.3 Rss Feed  
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2014-09-20 7:18 AM

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Subject: Augusta 70.3

Augusta 70.3 is a week out and no topics or discussion on the Georgia Forum?  This is a Tri sight right?

I'm not racing it, but figured there would at least be some discussion or questions.

So here is a topic starter, what do you think about the swim situation?  As I understand it, the river had been closed for swimming because of "a substance seen in the water".  Don't know what substance apparently, but now it is reopened.  I do know the Savannah river is notorious for pollutants and a lot of industry, paper mills, etc, dump into that waterway.  I don't believe I'd want to swim in it.  Maybe they could find a better option for future races.

And another thing, I know WTC is expanding and adding races, but why a 70.3 and full (Chattanooga) on the same day in the same region?  The two are less than 4 hours apart driving distance. 



2014-09-20 7:35 AM
in reply to: Dominion


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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3
I just got a spot in a relay-team for this race: I am only doing the swim and the bike, and it's my first IM70.3.

For the swim: I never tried the Savannah River as a training spot, and heard about the "Do not swim" order but thought it was only due to an accident.

Now, IMHO, if they allow the largest Half-IronMan in the world with 3500 athletes to be in that river, it can't be THAT MUCH polluted. Although I assume it's not the cleanest river ever either.

From my understanding people tend to say the quality of the water in the river changes greatly : some areas of it are more polluted, others are clean.

2014-09-20 11:09 AM
in reply to: nils89

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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3

I would agree with you that it's probably worse the further down river you go, like down near Savannah.  Sure they "tested" the water and opened it back up for swimming, but really the fact that they have to be testing  the water safety tells me all I need to know.  Of course, I've also probably swam in questionable water before without even realizing it.

2014-09-20 12:15 PM
in reply to: Dominion

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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3
The water quality issue gets swept under the rug quite a bit, I think - and I don't just mean Augusta. From an RD's perspective , the fewer the questions about the water (other than about the temperature) the better. So, yeah, that stretch of water is probably not mountain spring pure but I doubt anyone catches anything that's too horrible.

Anyone else around here racing Augusta next week?
2014-09-23 10:09 AM
in reply to: Dominion

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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3
Awesome race! I'm not racing it this year, but will gladly race it again in the future.

Better option? I really don't think there is one that will accommodate that many athletes. Part of the appeal is that the swim is downhill, too. It's FAST and wettie legal. For the half hour that most athletes are going to be in there, the pollution is an acceptable risk.

Hope you guys have a great race!
2014-09-24 7:16 PM
in reply to: d00d

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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3
Hope everyone has a great race! I raced last year but skipped this year and hopefully back next year. Swim is great as you can almost guarantee a PR.


2014-09-25 10:06 AM
in reply to: 0

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3
Originally posted by Gene67

Hope everyone has a great race! I raced last year but skipped this year and hopefully back next year. Swim is great as you can almost guarantee a PR.


I've raced Beach to Battleship as many times as I've raced Augusta. The B2B race director had a great quote that I think bears repeating, "Don't brag about this swim!".



Edited by d00d 2014-09-25 10:07 AM
2014-09-25 10:23 AM
in reply to: d00d


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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3
Big weekend overall in the greater region with a popular sprint, a 70.3, and a 144.6 (heard the Nooga bike course is 4 miles longer). Of the very few tri people I know there was a decent amount that were torn between August and Chattanooga. Hopefully they can space them out a bit in the future but not sure that will help people with being able to do both. The only people it would help will be the bike shops and tri shops (e.g., All3) who are sending out staff to both races.
2014-09-25 10:27 AM
in reply to: tb1000

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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3

And don't forget 6 Gap as well on Sunday. Hopefully folks will have all kinds of great stories to tell next week - good luck to everyone!

2014-10-13 12:50 PM
in reply to: Dominion

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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3
The water quality was a bit of a concern to me as well prior to the race. I will mention that the area in question was not near the area that we raced. The water was definitely clearer than I had imagined, so that was a plus. I could see the weeds before swimming into them, so that helped the surprise/something's got me factor! I heard several numerous people got sick after Augusta, but I also heard that that happens often in long course races-your immune system is down while your body is recovering from the punishment you just put it through. That said, I did not experience any significant problems, and I ALWAYS I mean ALWAYS battle sinus issues after every open water swim. This was my first 70.3 and I absolutely loved the swim in Augusta. Is swimming in a polluted river ideal? No, but neither is swimming with thousands of other people peeing in their wetsuits, or swimming in chlorine and other chemicals, or any river or lake really. I don't feel that Augusta is any more icky!
2014-11-21 6:29 AM
in reply to: Dominion


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Subject: RE: Augusta 70.3
I enjoyed Augusta, will be doing it again in 2015. The swim was great, did not feel like the water was poluted


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