Explore Steamboat, Triathlon tips offered at meeting tonight

Triathlon tips offered at meeting tonight

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Joy Rasmussen runs toward the finish line during a past Steamboat Springs Triathlon. Rasmussen and other organizers of this year’s event host a preparation meeting at 7 p.m. today at the downtown offices of Colorado Group Realty, at 751 Yampa St.

By John F. Russell (Contact)

Steamboat Springs — In less than two weeks, athletes will have a chance to test their swimming, running and biking skills in the cool mountain air of the Yampa Valley during the Steamboat Triathlon.

But before local athletes head to Lake Catamount on Aug. 24, the organizers of the event will offer a pre-race meeting open to all the participants, to review the course, learn transition techniques from professionals and review race-day preparation.

“It’s a really cool chance to pick up a few pointers from top professional triathletes,” organizer Joy Rasmussen said. “The transition area can make a huge difference in a race, and there is a certain way to do it. This is a chance to find out how top athletes master it.”

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. today at the downtown offices of Colorado Group Realty, at 751 Yampa St. The meeting is expected to last about an hour.

Rasmussen said the meeting is a chance not only for participants to come in and ask questions before the event, but also for people interested in volunteering to learn more about the event and sign up to help.

This year’s triathlon sold out more than two months ago and is expected to draw a field of 600 athletes.

The athletes in the triathlon will swim 3/4 of a mile in the open water, bike 20 miles of mostly flat, paved roads and run 4 miles.

Last year, 31-year-old Craig Howie, of Longmont, set the pace in the men’s race with a time of just more than 1 hour and 33 minutes. Amanda Durner, 34, of Colorado Springs, topped the women’s results in a time of 1:40:53.

The Steamboat Triathlon also hands out awards in a relay division and for a number of different age categories.