Farewell to a favorite race - The Beloit Biathlon

If you've been following my blog for a while, you've probably read a Beloit Biathlon (Duathlon) race report.  It was my very first multisport race in 2007 and I've done it every year since.   My parents have come to watch most years, have volunteered a few times and I've gotten to know the race director over the years.  This year was it's 25th and final year.  I've had a lot of fun at this race over the years and I'm sad to see it go.

It was a short race - 2 mile run, 11 mile bike, 2 mile run - but it was fun.  I love duathlons and I wish more people would make them a part of their season.

 The first two years I went so hard on the bike I had to walk part of the second run so my goal every year was to not walk.  In 2009 I accomplished that and managed to get my very first overall win.  The next couple of years were my head to head battles with Ian.  Those were fun years.  The past couple of years the attendance started to decline.

My results over the years - 34th, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 1st.  

This year attendance was down so it was a small group.  It was chilly, but otherwise a very nice morning for a race (the race director told me they only had 3 rainy days over 25 years - I raced one of them).   

I was able to pull a small gap on the first run coming into T1 and then extended my lead on the bike and held on to win my 3rd overall win.  My parents came out to watch.  It was a good way to close down a fun event that introduced me to multisports.  I'm going to miss this event, but like the race director said in his farewell speech, "It's been fun, but it's time to move on."

A few pics from the years...

Me and my parents.  2014

   

2008.  First bike in transition.  Goal = No walking.  Fail.

Me and the race director.  2012.

Me and my parents.  2009.

2009.  First overall win.

My parents working the bike dismount line.

Oh the agony. 

Me vs Ian.  Dead even coming into T2.  2010.  The most fun I had.  What a great race we had that year.  Ian won, but I loved every minute of it.

Me and Courtney. 2010.

An image from the bike course.

Last year I did the double du weekend - Beloit on Saturday and Delafield on Sunday and I did that again this year so I'll post my Delafield race report in a few days.