Guelph Lakes 1 Sprint Race Review

For many, this will probably be your first race of the season. Traditionally it has been the Ontario Club Championships,and after a few different "club championships" in 2012, Triathlon Ontario returned the championships to Guelph. The following is a review of the Sprint race of Guelph Lakes 1 for 2010/2011:

Swim:
The water is a good temperature. Being south and in a small park area, the water can heat up quickly, so if the season is off to a cold start (like 2013), you shouldn't have a cold water problem. The swim start is congested. There is not much room on the beach for the wave starts. If you are a strong swimmer, work your way to the front expecting to get beaten up, but knowing that you'll get your space quickly. If you are a weak swimmer, stick to the side/back of your wave. It is a simple counter-clockwise swim that will start to open up after the first turn (roughly 300m into the swim). You'll exit the water and be forced to run uphill for about 500m to transition (it is a far run from the water as you'll see when you register/set up transition).

Transitions 1 & 2:
Hopefully you got a favorable transition spot. I personally prefer the end of the rack close to the bike start/finish arch. That way there is minimal distance to run with my bike, it is easy to find because it is at the end of the rack, and you have lots of space to toss your stuff and put on your gear.

Bike:
Unless the city of Guelph has invested in improvements in the roads over the last 2 seasons, they will be rough and bumpy. There is some climbing, but nothing as serious as our Time Trial course (total elevation gain of 100m according to my Garmin. Club Time Trials has an elevation gain of 150m). Long, gradual stuff, but nothing steep. The course is a simple out and back, but the big problem with the course is the condition of the road. Depending on the weather you'll be dealing with headwind for a large chunk of the course as well. The course is a lot of down, flat, up, turn, repeat. Again, no serious climbs, but it will seem long because of all the turns that you will do.

Run:
The two years that I did Guelph Lakes 1 Sprint, it was ridiculously HOT!! It was an afternoon race, which meant the sun and heat was at its peak. By the time you start the run, the temperature was at its highest (in 2013, so far, you don't have anything to worry about...but still, pay attention to the weather). There is little air movement on the run. You will be running through the campsite and the wind will not hit you. When you are swearing AT the wind on the bike, you'll be praying FOR the wind on the run. If the temps get into the high 20s/low 30s like they have before, make sure you take in water at the aid stations and run through the sprinklers. The first and last km or two is a lot of up and down, and the middle section is relatively flat. The course is a simple out and back, with 1 aid station out, and 1 on the way back. The good news, the last 750m are all down hill, so you'll have the ability to let gravity be your friend and sprint to the finish!!

Like I said, I haven't done this race since June 2011, but I doubt there have been many changes. The big problem I had with it in 2010 & 2011 was the heat. In 2013, that may not be a problem. But if it is hot, be aware, and hydrate!!