Thanks to all who have registered for the 2011 Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series; registration has been heavy and we expect this season to be another banner year. All dates in the Series remain open for registration. The three and four multi-race options (with discounts) are also still available.
Online late fees for CSTS #2 (June 19) will not kick in until midnight Sunday June 12 so if you haven't registered yet you still have until then to avoid late fees. Online registration for June 19th date will remain open until midnight June 17th. Late Registration and packet pick-up will be available at James Island County Park from 5 to 7 PM on Saturday June 18th. Packet pick-up will resume at 6 AM on Raceday.
The June 19th triathlon, once again, will be on Father's Day. Over the years this race has taken on a special significance and has developed its own tradition with children and father's racing together and entire families serving as spectators. Many families have three generations racing together on Fathers Day (a tip of the hat to the Widman family!)
One of the great aspects of CSTS is the affection and respect that develops between spectators and participants. The fans who come out to cheer their own athlete find others who are just as engaged in supporting their own. And over time friendships and enthusiasm spreads from one end of the triathlon to the other.
For many years Huger Sinkler attended almost every CSTS triathlon in support of one of our top women's competitors, Cal Sinkler. Like many of our spectators his enthusiasm and friendliness was contagious. Shortly before the May 22nd triathlon, Mr. Sinkler passed away. With great joy we are dedicating this Father's Day race to Mr. Sinkler. To have known and loved him is something we treasure; his adoration of Cal and his pride in his daughter's accomplishments is a lasting tribute to a dad and his loving child.
Everyone has done a great job of getting out early on Racedays and it really helps things go smoothly and efficiently. A good time to arrive at the Park is about 6:00 AM; easier to Park, shorter lines, and most likely, a beautiful sunrise breathing life into another Carolina morning. Typically the Preregistered List will be posted by the Wednesday or Thursday before each race in the Series.
Results will be online usually Sunday evening or Monday morning. There are a few changes of note this year; one is that the Clydesdale Division will now be actually two separate divisions. The "Clydesdale Division" will be for men 200 pounds or greater that are under the age of 40. The "Masters Clydesdale Division" will be for men 200 pounds or greater and age 40 and over.
The other change is a modification to the existing bike course. The difference in this year's course is that at the turnaround on the bike course the bikes returning on Folly Road rather than ride in the right lane will stay in the LEFT lane (riding with traffic) coming from the Folly Beach direction all the way to the left turn that puts the bikes back on Riverland Drive.
Piggly Wiggly, once again, will sponsor the Post Race Buffet with a selection of various fruits, bagels, cream cheese, Gatorade, soft drinks, cookies and crunchies. One of the very great things about CSTS is the involvement and enthusiasm of our World Class Spectators. All of the special cheers, and home made signs, and general involvement that the spectators bring to CSTS help make it the special event that it has become.
It's great to see the number of tents and picnic sites that are popping up around the lake. Please remember that everyone must park before unloading. We simply cannot allow vehicles to unload on any of the roadways or shoulders in the Park. This is really important.
Thanks again to everyone, most importantly, our sponsors who make the Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series one of the top triathlon series in the Southeast.
Paul and Kathleen King
