Dannon Duathlon Alpharetta
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Michael Wattigny
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June 3, 2002
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Dannon Alpharetta Duathlon
Alpharetta, Georgia
Sunday, June 9, 2002
5k run, 30k bike, 5k run - non-drafting for all
$6,000 purse
www.dannonduathlon.com
Alpharetta, GA - The Dannon Duathlon Championship Series visits Alpharetta, Georgia on June 9, 2002 for the 3rd stop of the 2002 series. Covering much of the same course as the ITU World Duathlon Championships (October 19 & 20), athletes will have their only chance to preview the route used for the World Championships. This will also best the last Dannon Duathlon prior to the 2002 USAT Duathlon National Championships in Carlsbad, CA July 14th.
The Dannon Duathlon is proud to produce this event from the Choicepoint Office Complex located at 1000 Alderman Drive. This beautiful office complex offers athletes a great chance to park near the race site with over 600 parking spots available. Remember, if you park in a spot on Alderman, you will not be able to get out of the parking lot until the last finisher is finished the event.
This event will be non-drafting for both the Elite and Age Group athletes. The bike features a moderately hilly route, while the run relatively flat with only a moderate hill. This event is a USA Triathlon World Qualifier for Elite males and females.
Following the Dannon Duathlon, the Danimal's Dash Duathlon for kids will take place. Age groups are 8-9, 10-11, and 12-13. Stick around after the race to see these stars of tomorrow!
Athletes interested in the 2002 ITU Dannon Duathlon World Championships will have course maps available to them on Saturday. World Championship Commemorative clothing will be available to purchase at the race site on Saturday and Sunday.
Course maps, race instructions, and start lists are available at
For more information on the 2002 ITU Dannon Duathlon World Championships go to:
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Dannon Duathlon Alpharetta
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by RUN1FAST on June 3, 2002
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WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!!! I HAVE BASED ALL MY SPRING TRAINNING AROUND THIS RACE BEING DRAFT LEGAL AND I FIND OUT LESS THEN A WEEK BEFOR THAT ITS NOT. I THINK THIS IS NUTS. USAT TOLD ME IN MARCH THAT THIS RACE WAS GOING TO BE DRAFT LEGAL IS THERE SOMTHING I DONT UNDERSTAND. I THINK ITS FUNNY PEOPLE WILL SIT AROUND AND WONDER WHY THE US TEAM DIDNT DO WELL AT SHORT COURSE WORLDS. WHEN THE ANSWER IN RIGHT HERE FOR ALL TO SEE. WE DONT HAVE DRAFT LEGAL RACES. THAT AND WE LIKE TO SENT TEAMS OF GUYS TO WORLDS BASED ON NO DRAFTING RACES. WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE VERY DIFFERENT, AT LEAST I HOPE WE ALL KNOW THAT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK RIGHT NOW I GUESS I'M MORE THAN A LITTLE PISSED.
THANKS
TYLER JOHNSON
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by CALICAROL on June 3, 2002
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Tyler,
You are absolutely right. They've done this several times before to you Pro's, and it stinks. And why is there not an explanation given???
Sorry for you guys...
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Anonymous post on June 3, 2002
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I just learned this afternoon, via an aside in Duathlon.com, that the
worlds qualifier for pros at Dannon Alphareta WILL NOT BE DRAFT LEGAL. We,
and most of the pros, were under the impression that ALL of the qualifiers
would be draft-legal. The duathletes that I coach, male and female, have scheduled their training since March to be in
peak running form and adequate cycling form for Alpharetta, which is
appropraite for a draft-legal race where the emphasis is roughly 60-40
running vs. cycling. If Alpharetta is going to be non-drafting, the
emphasis shifts to 60-40 cycling vs. running. At this late date it is
IMPOSSIBLE to make an adjustment to be at peak performance and hopefully
qualify for worlds in the Alpharetta race.
How could this have happened? I can think of NO logistical reason for the
race not to be run in a draft-legal format. Are we really supposed to
believe that it is a safety or traffic control issue for 20-25 riders to go
down the road in a group as opposed to single file spaced out thirty feet
apart?
In my opinion, if Alpharetta cannot be run in a draft-legal format, it
should not be a qualifer for worlds. Particularly since the slots available
have been heavily skewed toward this race, with half of the slots available
being awarded at Alpharetta. Since Alpharetta will not mirror the worlds
format it should not count toward worlds team slots.
I e-mailed Premier (the Dannon Promoter) nearly two weeks ago to confirm
that the race would be draft legal and have not recieved a reply. This is
shameful. We have invested in non-refundable airplane tickets, hotel
reservations and entry fees in the hope of qualifying for the worlds team
only to find out that our training has been misdirected because we believed
that the race would be conducted in the most appropriate format for a worlds
qualifier, draft-legal. Any of you who coach multi-sport ahtletes know what I mean. A changing playing field like this does not look
good for the sport . It is a pity that things seem to be so poorly run as
to appear arbitrary, or even hokey. It appears as if the promoters and the
federation just don't care. To those who do not have high aspirations this
may look insignificant, but to those who aim high and then try to affect the
training necessary to meet their goals it is quite serious. I, for one, am
deeply dissapointed in the decision and embaraced for the sport.
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by MIKEPLUMB on June 4, 2002
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Doesn't matter which age group John is in, he races pro. As an age grouper last year, he was the top American finisher at Zofinger.
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by MIKEPLUMB on June 4, 2002
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Tyler and Anon Coach:
you're right, the pro's have been dealt a poor hand on this one. You would think that in selecting a team to represent the US, when Worlds are going to be here, that you would want to replicate in every way possible, the conditions (ie. draft legal) in this race since it is on the same course.
At the same time, I don't try to second guess Bill Burke, the race director. I have known him for more than a decade, before he even got involved in putting on multisport races. I am sure there is a valid reason for the change at this late of a date, it may not even have been his decision to make.
Anon, as a coach, I hope you did your homework on that course. It is a cyclists course. A strong rider will do well on it, drafting or non drafting. A weaker rider, or one that has not prepared for a tough course, would have a tough time on this bike course, even if trying to follow a draft. The hills aren't real tough, but they are endless. A strong rider will power through all of them.
I sure hope someone has a good answer for this change, it doesn't effect me either way, but I agree, it doesn't make our sport look good.
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Anonymous post on June 4, 2002
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Draft legal or not, Dannon Alpharetta will still be a qualifier - it is unfortunate the rules got changed, but sh*t happens as in 99' Worlds for some of the amateurs on the bike, or at other events where circumstances required a change.
Bottom line is that the same people in the pro field will do well, and the same guy who wins just about every Dannon race would have probably won even with every other guy just trying to hang on to dear life to him on the bike, and taking only token pulls, or only working together to run him down as soon as a gap opened up after the first turn or hill. Now that it isn't draft legal, it's probably more of a certainty who will win the mens race. The best duathletes do well, whatever the format, and the best men/women in the US have won races in both formats. Heck, the best men/women in the world have won in both formats as well.
Honestly, if you have a problem with this, you are probably one of the people saying they coulda/shoulda/woulda been a contender instead of just coming to the realization that maybe you aren't that good after all, and that others with less time to train, and fewer resources at their disposal, still beat you in spite of you training full time, and even after you having to quit your dream day job as a manual animal sperm harvesting fertilization technologist.
Everybody doing the race this weekend will be under the same conditions, everyone found out about the unfortunate change at about the same time, and there WILL be some differences in the results from maybe 3rd place downwards (especially amongst weak cyclists), but the top men and women will be the same top men and women as would have probably been before, had the race been run according to the original plan.
Make the best of the situation. You will only do as well as your attitude and conditioning will allow.
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by BBURKE on June 4, 2002
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Looking at the most recent posting on this web site have certainly caught our attention at Premier Event Management. We want to make this draft legal format work in Alpharetta for the elites as well as the age groupers, with safety being the most important factor. The bike course design and layout for this event with only one lane has certain issues that must be addressed before we can return to a draft legal format for this weekend.
With this in mind, Premier Event Management had a late meeting on Monday evening to discuss the option to return this event to draft legal status. To do this, Premier Event Management is looking at the possibility of starting the elite men and women at least 20 to 25 minutes before the age group athletes. (an elite start time of 7:05am or 7:10am)(age groupers 7:30am) This would give elites the opportunity the reach and pass the second lap point on the bike course before the mass of age groupers begin their first lap.
Elite athletes should stay posted to your favorite duathlon web site for updates, and be prepared to race in either format this weekend.
I have a meeting with City of Alpharetta officials on Thursday morning to discuss World Championship issues and the event this weekend. I will discuss with city officials the possibility of starting the event 20 to 25 minutes earlier so we can return to that draft legal format.
This is going to be a great event this weekend with great city and volunteer support. This stop in the Dannon Series will give both age groupers and elites a sense of the World Championship course coming up in October.
Lets don't forget that two of our next three events are also draft legal for elite man and women as they prepare for the World Championships. (Carlsbad - July 14th and Naperville - September 22nd)
One other reminder - The Dannon Duathlon from Alpharetta, GA is the 2003 and 2004 USAT Elite and Age Group National Duathlon Championship!
We are sorry for any misleading information that has reached the duathlon community about this event.
Sincerely,
Bill Burke
Event Organizer
2002 Dannon Duathlon Championship Series
2002 ITU Dannon Duathlon World Championship
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by Just-Du-It on June 4, 2002
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Thanks for the update. We appreciate the effort and wish you the best of luck.
With all the potential money brought into the city for the championship(s), having a positive experience should be at the top of the list of the city of Alpharetta. Being early Sunday in a low traffic area with many alternate options should also ease the situation.
As for the race itself, let's all just focus on putting our best foot forward - winning on effort and ability.
Good luck !
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by KIWINICK on June 4, 2002
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Bill, as you can see this is a rather hot issue. I think the idea of starting the pros early is a great solution. I knew this could be worked out. I can't imagine any pros complaining about the early start. Sounds like a win-win to me.
Keep up the good work. I wish I could make it to Georgia to watch the pros roll up and down those hills. My money is on Trav for a repeat. If John Phillips is going to be a threat to win, he had better be going fast on the runs. After the great race I saw at Wrentham, it looks to me like the "runners" are closing in on the "riders".
Good luck everyone, and happy drafting!
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Anonymous post on June 4, 2002
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Thank You Mr. Burke,
This race needs to be draft legal if it is to be a world's qualifier. The best athletes for non drafting races aren't necessarily the best athletes for draft legal races like Worlds. (which you are also hosting)
the sport evolves: moves forward; it's not a bad thing or necessarily a good thing, but it's the nature of anything.
If you want to send the best athletes to Worlds this race needs to be draft legal.
I know you will do your best.
Cheers
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by twkuhl on June 4, 2002
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I hope the final decision can be made soon. I will be racing regardless, but many of us are flying to this race, and need to know what bike set up to come with. Hopefully we can have a final answer in the next day, and at the latest on Thursday. We need to have a little notice to make any changes needed. I do not want to get there, and find out the format has been changed again last minute.
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by BBURKE on June 5, 2002
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Many of you are asking what is the latest about the draft legal status of the Dannon Duathlon in Alpharetta this weekend. Well I received a message on my cell phone from the Police Department in Alpharetta this evening, which stated that they feel they could get the event started at 7:05 or 7:10am to allow us to provide the draft legal format for this weekend. However, I still have not heard from the Forsyth County Police Department on their officers coming in early to assist with the event at the earlier time. (The run course leave Alpharetta and enter Forsyth County for about 1.3 miles, so we need those officers)
Again, I have a meeting with the World Championship Committee in Alpharetta at 1:00pm on Wednesday. At that time I will be with members of the Alpharetta Police Department and the Public Works Division to finalize this weekend timeline. I do feel that the meetings will be positive in nature and we will have a draft legal event on Sunday.
At this time, Premier Event Management feels that this situation will be worked out and athletes coming to this event may want to bring their draft legal bikes!
Once again I want to say that we are very sorry for the lack of communication on this issue and I take full responsibility for the situation at hand! In the future Premier Event Management will do its best to pay more attention to those details that affect the draft legal status of our events. And at the same time, keep USA Triathlon informed of any changes in those draft legal or non draft legal details.
Sincerely,
Bill Burke
Event Organizer
2002 Dannon Duathlon Championship Series
2002 ITU Dannon Duathlon World Championship
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by BillRule on June 5, 2002
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MR BRUKE, THANKS FOR THE UP DATES. MOST IMPORTANT THANKS FOR TAKEN THE HEAT ON THIS ISSUE. COULD YOU PLEASE ALSO LET THE AGE GROUPERS KNOW IF THE RACE WILL BE DRAFT LEGAL FOR US ALSO. WORK FOR BOTH PRO'S AND AGE GROUP ATHELETS. THANKS AND GOOD TO ALL.
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