The Daybreak venue is very beautiful and well suited to host this event. The race consists of a point-to-point swim, challenging bike course and two lap run around Oquirrh Lake.
Spectators get a great show throughout the event and can see the athletes they are supporting several times.
Race morning was well organized and I especially appreciated the fact that there were security guards monitoring the transition area. I even tried to test them and enter the transition without a wristband or markings and was denied entry. To leave transition after the race they checked the number on my bike against my wristband. I wish every event did this. Transition was a bit tight and a few more racks would have been nice. Body marking was done using stamps which was unique but took a bit longer to get done. It came off in the shower much easier than marker though which was great.
The swim was an age group based stagered start which I really enjoyed given I am not the greatest swimmer. Sighting was realitivly easy and the lake is fairly shallow and clear. Olympic and sprint distance starts were also staggered which limited the number of athletes in the water at one time. This is a great swim for beginners wanting to get into triathlon and are nervous about the swim portion.
The bike course has a long false flat and a few good climbs making it a pretty challenging ride. The course is well marked and there were plenty of police and volunteers directing races and stopping traffic. Even though it is an open bike course the only thing slowing me down was myself. The view of the Kennecott Copper mine is awe inspiring and makes the ride all the more enjoyable.
The run is relativly flat around the lake and is a great way to finish the race. The view is stunning and makes the run much more enjoyable. Olympic distance is two laps and running through the crowd of spectators really pumped me up for the second lap.
Aly and her team at US Trisports are doing an excellent job and make this a spectacular event and it just gets better every year.
