Tiburon Triathlon
Tiburon, CA
Official Website : http://www.tiburonfire.org/
Date : July 26, 2009
Race Type : Triathlon and Multisport
Race Distance : 1/2 miles swim, 9 mile bike, 2 mile run
Race Description: The course is a half mile swim (not measured, so it varies from year to year), a nine mile bike, and a two mile run. After the swim, you need to run about two blocks from the swim area to the bike transition. We close the course at 9:30 a.m., or so.
The Triathlon began as one of a weekend full of events to celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 1991. It has served our purposes to bring out the sporting best within the community, to introduce newcomers to triathlon in a safe, low key atmosphere, and to focus on certain target audiences—young people, firefighters, and locals. To ensure it stays low pressure and fun, it is not a race, no prizes or awards are given, and we keep it small. It is just for fun.
2 Reviews for Tiburon Triathlon
This was one of the first tri's I competed in. It's a fun typical small town race thru the yacht club, around paradise drive, and then run the lagoon loop.
The swim is pretty easy thru the yacht club. The only downer is the freezing cold start. The race starts about 25 yards off the dock so you have to sit in the 50 degree water about 2 - 3 minutes waiting for the start. The swim starts in waves so if you want to be in the front group try tp persued the check in counter to put you in the first heat.
The bike transition is kind of a disaster, most of the bikes aren't racked and I stacked pretty hard running across the wet grass. The ride around paradise dr is pretty easy, the only hill is Trestle Glen. Paradise Dr is pretty twisty so there's not much use for aero-bars in this race, most people ride standard road bikes. In fact you look kind of silly at this race if you show up with you $10,000 Quintaroo, in my opinion. Plus it will probably get stolen while you're running since there is no security around the bike lot.
The run is flat and fast around the lagoon.
Best part of the race is they serve Marin Brewing Co beer at the finish line and Mike and Dave's Restaurant is just down the block. Give this race a try.
This is the goofiest triathlon around. The Tiburon Fire Department puts it on and I don't think any of them know the first thing about racing or putting on a race. They do know how to buy kegs from Marin Brewing Company for the post race celebration - extra points for that.
The swim is in the yacht harbor, you swim through the boats then out through the breakers into the SF Bay, the water isn't super clean and if you aren't wearing a wetsuit, as I haven't 2 out of the 4 times I've done it, be prepared to freeze. Swim is kinda a disaster, prepare to get run over and kicked, there just isn't enough room for everyone. You exit the swim on the barnacle covered boat ramp and promptly rip up your frozen feet. Some people leave their shoes at the exit and put them on to run the 500 yards to T1.
T1 is another mess, only half the bikes are racked and it is super easy to forget where you left your bike. Once you grab it and ride off you head out to Tiburon Blvd for a 9 mile bike (I think) around the Tiburon "loop". Its a lot of winding and up and down, but the last 4 miles are really fast, part downhill and flat. This is where you can really crank it. You then head back to the transition, throw your bike on the ground and charge off for the run. Because the race is so short your feet are still freezing from the swim and it is hard to get your running legs underneath you.
The run loops around the Belvedere lagoon and back to the fire department. I don't think there are any aid stations on the run, but there doesn't need to be because it is so crazy short. All in all, this race is good for a laugh and a quick morning workout. I've competed in it a few times, raced as my 52 year old father-in-law one time, and then didn't pay one time and just did the swim, T1 and 1 mile of the bike to prep for Ironman transitions.