The "no whine" Oelwein sprint triathlon - let's tri it!

I dredged up some information gathered regarding hosting a triathlon in Oelwein. I think it would be a really great challenge and something ultimately that could be awesome for Oelwein. So, here is a list of items we would need to address at some point. I’ve also mapped out a potential course and have links provided.

Give it some thought and let’s discuss.

Items to address:

Mission & goal – why are we doing this & what do we hope to accomplish

Financials
1. Revenue - $7,250 entry fees ($75X100 participants less estimated active.com fee)+ $10,000 sponsorship (5 title sponsors @ $1,000, 10 other sponsors @ $500)
2. Expenses - $2,500 promotion, $5,000 equipment rental (total guess), $700 event insurance (100 participants @ $7), $500 park rental, $2,500 prize purse, $1,000 giveaways, $5,050 to give to Oelwein in some way

Choosing a date

Promotion – how do we inform potential participants about the race
1. Other triathlon and running races
2. Triathlon clubs in Eastern Iowa
3. Colleges and universities with triathlon clubs
4. Distributed race calendars
5. Trifind.com

Community support
1. Support from police & fire department
2. Support from school district
3. Support from city parks & recreation department - park reserved
4. Support from community at large

Sponsorship & In kind giving
1. Items for “swag bag”
2. Food/drink for aid stations and post race
3. Prize money

Participant registration options
1. Risk management
2. Race insurance – http://www.fdean.com/triathlon/index.html

Equipment needed - registration area, volunteer organization area, start/finish, transition area, swim course, bike course, run course, post race

Recruitment of volunteers - school system, park & recreation department, friends & family

Raceday logistics - closed park, course setup, safety support for swim (kayaks, boat, spotters), volunteer organization, leader chaperone (motorcycle)

Equipment rental and race expertise
http://www.pigmantri.com/jmsracing.html
http://www.rainbowracing.com/

Bike route
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ia/oelwein/182128517187460089
Run Route
http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/ia/oelwein/741128517232387796

Marc on the Waterloo Indians

I would have never been able to pull the name of Von Hayes out of my memory banks. I had forgotten all the names, but I'll tell you what I DO remember.

First of all, going to those games was a summer highlight! It always felt like a real treat to take the "long" trip to Waterloo to go to a baseball game. I think Mom and Dad used to take us when the "Famous Chicken", more commonly known as the San Diego Chicken, was in town. That was more exciting than the baseball game itself!

I think we were even lucky enough to snag a foul ball occasionally, and Dad was smart enough to hide it quickly so that they didn't come and ask to have it back (as they always did). I think they used to give you some coupons to a pizza place or something if you gave the ball back, but who wants to do that?

The most prominent memory of the Waterloo Indians involves the little red bat that became the stick of choice for our indoor baseball games. We would get so sweaty running the bases on our knees in the living room! I don't know if you guys remember, but for years there was a red-colored divot in the living room wall from that little bit slipping out of someones hands. I don't think it's there any longer... we'll have to check next time we're home.

Childhood memories

I have vague memories of going to Waterloo to watch the Waterloo Indian single A baseball club play. Our favorite player was Von Hayes, who went on to play in the big leagues with the Cleveland Indians. We would all run around the stands collecting used ice cream sundae mini helmets.

Well we may have seen another "prominent" sports figure rounding the bases...Turner Gill. Turner Gill is the current football coach at Kansas after resurrecting a University of Buffalo team from near extinction. Another note: Chuck Long is currently his offensive coordinator. Below is the commentary along with the photo from the DSM Register today:

Back with a Bat: Kansas Football coach played baseball in Iowa

1986: Baseball is just around the corner - the major leagues open Thursday and the Iowa Cubs on April 7 - and you never know who might turn up in a uniform. Turner Gill, for example. After leading Nebraska to a 28-2 record in three years at quarterback, then playing two seasons in the Canadian Football League, he turned to baseball. Gill batted .223 with six homers in 70 games for the Class A Waterloo Indians of the Midwest League while playing shortstop. He eventually returned to football, and Gill is now head coach at former Big Eight rival Kansas.

When you are ready to upgrade...

See the company website HERE.

$8,000 for the frame, a fully functioning race warrior for $15,000. This is the sexiest bike I’ve ever seen.

RAGBRAI here we come

B3aW is officially registered to make their collective maiden voyage across the state of Iowa on a bicycle the last week in July. With Mom and Dad providing support crew and towing a 3rd wheel, this family adventure is shaping up to be as memorable as the 1987ish driving trip to Spokane, Washington.

We've all been training, some (Ed) much more than others. We'll also be test driving our fitness with a 5K muddy-buddy-esque trail race in the Washington DC area on April 30. For details of that race click here.

What I've gotten thus far from the planning for both these activities is a renewed sense of commitment to my fitness as well as an incredible amount of excitement at the prospect of hanging with my brothers for a weekend in April/May and a full week in July.