An amazing and wonderful event took place this weekend in our small town. The Mexican National Triathlon took place here, and started right on the Malecon (boardwalk) in Progreso,
Greatly organization was seen everywhere, and with 1500 athletes, from over 15 different countries, things had to run like a top!
The morning started with the Elites being introduced and then sent off into the ocean
Then with the heats of the sprint triathlon, by age groups - making it much safer and less intimidating in the water I would think! This way the largest heat seemed to be about 200 at a time.
Very neat start with the muelle (6.5km pier of Progreso) right there
This was the senior men's sprint triathlon heat (group).
The sprint race here, because the cycle portion is between Progreso and Merida, was longer than the usual.
In a standard Sprint distance triathlon, the distances are 750m swim, followed by a 20 km bike ride, then a 5km run.
As they were travelling the highway between cities, the cycle portion of the sprint was a full (long and hot I imagine) 35 kms.
Here we saw the runners as they exited the swim into the cycle transition zone.
Some beautiful, very high quality bikes were everywhere!
Lots of port-a-potties available for the athletes if they needed them
And helicopter supervision and radio announcing was taking place throughout the race
Here we see a cyclist getting dressed to take off on his bike
And heading to his bike after the swim. The bikes were placed in the racks according to the athletes' number, so very fair. Athletes had anywhere up to about 1/2 km to run either with or without their bikes.
Getting organized
And off on the ride they head
Lots of terrific spectators too!
And Vic as we waited for the next heats to go, the Olympic distance
Another shot of our pier
One of the Olympic athletes exiting their 1500 meter swim, to head out for the 40 km bike ride, which was then followed by a 10km run in Merida along the Pasejo Monteo (the major street in Merida)
A 23 year old young lady, Andrea, that we met at the beginning of the race.
A future olympian?
Looking pretty happy at this point!
About 3 k into the cycling portion the 1st major intersection, lots of trafic control provided jointly by the military and both state and local police
After a 90 degree left turn south it is off to Merida with a slight tail wind as the wind has now picked up.
Not sure of the finishing times but we were hearing over the local radio station 97.7 KISS from Merida times in the 1:40's. For those who use internet for their radio it is a decent station.
The two lane hwy is down to one lane. Further towards Merida we heard the 4 lane section was reduced to two lanes to accomodate the racers.
Speaking to people about travel into Merida during the race the normal 25 minute trip was increased to 2 hours. We didn't go into the City but hope you enjoyed a glimpse of the race.
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