Beach to Battleship

Does anyone know if the 300yd run to T1 is included in the swim time or the transition time? And is the run carpeted or on pavement? Thanks

I don't remember where we crossed the timer, but the run is all on pavement. There is a strech where you can run on the grass. Some people leave shoes at the end point of the swim and put them on. I ran barefoot without any problems.

jcrute wrote:Does anyone know if the 300yd run to T1 is included in the swim time or the transition time? And is the run carpeted or on pavement? Thanks

I want to say it wasn't included since my swimming time was so much faster and my T1 time was brutal. But I am not 100% sure. Almost though.

The swim exit mats were almost halfway from the docks to T2. I measured it online after the race yast year(yes I am a geek!), and it was ~185m into the 450m run to the changing tents from the water (and after the wetsuit strippers and showers). I figure this equates to 45sec - 2min of dry land in most athlete's swim splits.

Definitely a little ways from exiting the water to the timing mats. I got out of the water at 0:58:00 but my swim split was 1:00:39.

Did this race last yr and several Wilmington Tris. I can tell you its a solid 1/4 mile once you exit water to the T1 mat. I've always planted shoes at swim exit. its definitely worth the 5 extra seconds it takes to put them on bc u can go much much faster on that run to T1

If you put shoes at the exit, how do you find them. I mean, if 1500 people put shoes there it seem like it could be confusing.

this last post is a great question... how can we do that ? obviously, we can't have a sherpa help us by handing us shoes (outside assistance...). the thought of running barefoot for 1/4 mile doesn't excite me a bit.....

There is a wood section of dock, you run around a small club house and then a concrete section between the marina on the right and the condos on the left. This section is where everyone leaves their shoes. The Wilmington YMCA triathlon does this 'run' also and with 1300 people in that race, I had no problem finding my shoes. It's almost like finding your bike in T1 or your car at Walmart, just remember where you put them and when you get close to that general are, slow down and start looking for them. There is plenty of room to put shoes all along that causeway/sidewalk area even if everyone puts their shoes there. Lots of people won't put shoes out. The only 'rough' patch of asphalt is after you turn left leaving the dock area until you get to T1's grass and there are 2 sections of sidewalk along the way. So maybe 100 meters or so if you count crossing the road from the marina to T1.

I have very tender feet and could probably get away with no shoes. Its not like walking on broken glass or across hot coals, but its a far cry from carpet. I don't recall any foot injuries from that short run to T1.

I'm also pretty sure the timing mat was in the grass by the changing tents on the right side of T1 looking from the road.

I staged my shoes jsut past the wetsuit strippers on the dock next to a specific railing so I could find them. No problems

Since swim socks are legal for this race (as noted in the FAQ), wouldn't they be a good solution for the run to T1? I have a pair and haven't decided whether I want to wear them for the swim. Does anyone else have experience with them? In the pool, I felt like they slowed me down some. Might have just been my imagination. In any case, they seem like a simpler solution than putting on shoes.

I'm wearing my swim socks and skipping the shoe thing this year. They should hold up pretty well for that little bit of distance. Its not like we've got to run 5k in them!

I just got mine last night and haven't tried them in the water yet. Maybe this weekend, but they won't affect my overall race time that much.

I am just wondering if its ok to take our wetsuit off before you run that 1/4 mile (or 1/2 km from my area!!) or do they tell you to wait to get to T1?
thanks

There will be volunteers right there at the dock to "assist" you in getting your wetsuit off (referred too kindly as "stripper"). My advice - use them! Its fast and efficient (just make sure your tri suit underneith is secure.......). Regarding the "short" run from the swim exit to T1 - did it last year with no concerns or problems at all.

with the strippers: what you need to do is unzip your wetsuit, and peel off the sleeves (if not a sleeveless), so that your wetsuit is down to your waist. drop down on your back raise your feet and the wetsuit strippers will peel your suit off your lower body, like a banana. they 'll hand it back to you and you're on your way. saves alot of time and energy messing with it on your own. of course, you don't have to use them, but it sure is a great perk....