2002 Games of Acadiana Triathlon
By: The WM
August 17, 2002

The Games of Acadian Triathlon was the shortest triathlon I've done, but I don't know that I've ever enjoyed one more.  A typical sprint triathlon is 1/2 mile swim, 20 mile bike, 3.1 mile run.  This was a 200 yard pool swim, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run - sort of a mini-tri.  As a result of the shorter distances, a lot of first timers took a shot at it, and that was nice to see.  I would guess maybe half of the 120 participants were doing their first triathlon.

I did a tri with a pool swim in Baton Rouge earlier this year, and in that race we did the swim last so as to avoid congestion in the pool.  Today we did the race in the conventional order - swim, bike, run - but we had a stagger start.  Every ten seconds someone went off in the pool.  Your race number, marked on your body, determined your sequence in the start.  In this way, when you were out on the bike or run you could check someone's number and get a rough feel for how you were doing comparatively.  Also, there was no pool congestion to speak of.  I got passed twice, but other than that it was as if I was swimming by myself.  We did the swim in the pool at Bourgeois Hall - a crystal clear outdoor pool.  Eight lanes, 25 yards.  Up one lane, duck under the ropes, down the adjacent lane, etc., etc.  The whole aquatic facility was very impressive.  I don't know how old it is, but it certainly had a brand new feel to it. 

The 10 mile bike was twice around a 5 mile loop - down Cajundome Blvd. to Cameron, then left for maybe a mile, then back.  The smooth road surfaces made for some fast ride times (in the results, Farrel has grouped both transitions in with the bike split).  Traffic control at intersections and elsewhere was superb.  Thanks to the Lafayette Police Department and the many volunteers for that.  I was skeptical when I heard where the bike would be held, but I was wrong.  Great course.  The only problem was that not everyone knew it was a two lap course.  A few unknowingly only went around once.  One guy asked me - in the middle of the bike leg - how many times we had to go around.  For some reason, the word didn't get out fully.  

The 2 mile run was flat, with a nice finish at the Cajundome.  The awards ceremony afterward was prompt and generous, plus lots of cold drinks.  Farrel had the results out incredibly fast.  Swim splits were out early and the overalls minutes after the last finisher (click here for an explanation of the results).

The race shirts are deluxe - a very classy golf shirt.  Lord knows I have enough race t shirts.  Pit Hesterly and his crew did a superb job with this event.  The were shooting for 60 or so, and ended up with 120.  First time races almost always have a hitch or two, sometimes something major, but  I didn't see anything go wrong with this race - a tribute to Pit's efforts and those of the many volunteers as well.  I don't know if I've ever seen a better volunteer to participant ratio at a triathlon.

The winners were (largely) the usual suspects - John Deshotel, George Sobiesk, and Jason Gossen went one, two, three overall.  Jerry Richard was the male grandmaster (50+) winner.  I was happy to beat him, especially since he told me the wrong way to go out of transition on the bike.  On the distaff side, it was a New Iberia sweep of sorts, as newcomer Ashley Lasalle had a very strong race - tenth overall, first woman.  Great job, Ashley.  Ria Bertels and Robin Ferguson were second and third.  Perennial age group winner Phyllis Bazer (also from the Berry) was female master's champ and second woman across the line.

With all the positive feedback I was hearing afterward, this race is sure to grow, if Pit and company are up to the increased logistical challenge.  And the race is for a worthy cause - cancer research.  The Perret family lost son Miles to the disease and in response have organized the very popular and growing Games of Acadiana as a fundraiser.

See you next year!