(Racers churn through Lake Michigan; photo by Nancy Stone; courtesy of the Chicago Tribune)
Matt Reed and Sarah Haskins captured the top spots in the 2009 Chicago Triathlon. The pair also won the Life Time Fitness 2009 Minneapolis Triathlon.
Chicago is the biggest city in the Midwest and third largest in the country. It stands to reason that they should host the world's largest triathlon. With nearly 9,000 participants, the race can seem like the jockeying hustle and bustle of rush hour. Though it is a non-drafting event, participant proximity can be an issue. This problem reared its ugly head in a nasty way on Sunday, dramatically changing the dynamic of a race that was sunny and dry.
The mix of pros, elites, and amateurs is a delicate balance. With age-groupers and pros each striving toward personal goals, it becomes an issue when amateurs impede the pros. In certain cases, novices may not understand the course or proper race etiquette and can create dangerous situations.
2004 Olympian Julie Dibens (2nd in Minneapolis and expected to compete for 1st in Chicago) faced this exact circumstance during the cycle leg. When reaching for her water bottle, she suddenly found herself cut-off by two riders and had to decide between veering into vehicle traffic or toward a race cone in order to avoid a multi-bike accident. She chose the cone and found herself bruised and banged up on the ground, unable to finish.
On the men's side, Andy Potts, (2nd in Minneapolis, expected to challenge Matt Reed at the end) wound up hospitalized when an age-grouper drifted in front of him on the bike leg forcing a crash. With Chicago tailwinds pushing the pace to nearly 35 miles an hour, Potts thankfully only suffered superficial wounds but, passed out while being treated. Matt Reed looked over his shoulder during the run but, didn't find his familiar foe in contention.
Amid the fervor over the crashes and with interest in the Chicago Triathlon continuing to burgeon, pressure will be on race organizers to ensure safe and competitive races for both pros and amateurs.
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