A great sprint triathlon for beginners, but still a challenge for seasoned athletes. Once again, the Hartford Marathon Foundation puts on a great event.

Registration:

Quite smooth and seamless. I’ve registered for dozens of races, and this was one of the easiest platforms that I have ever used. The fine print is actually not that fine, you can read it! Additionally, registration allows for up to three different cell phone numbers to receive SMS alerts of your progress. I used all three spots, and each person I listed received my finish time.
I also received a timely email upon registration and several along the way giving me updates on parking, and bib pick-up, and possible weather contingencies.

As this is a USAT sanctioned event, you either need a current membership or you will have the option to purchase a one day membership. The cost of a one day membership can be used to buy down the cost of an annual membership. The first year I did this race I got the one day and the very next day, I upgraded to the full. Literally, the experience that I had with this race cemented my love of endurance racing.

Cost:

Solo registration starts at $70, but jumps to $85 after mid January. After July 4 , it's $95, $100 on race day. This does not include the cost of the USAT membership. You can not complete registration if you do not have a valid membership or purchase a one day. The cost is $12 for the one day. A yearly adult membership is $45, but you in addition to that cost, you receive hundreds of dollars in perks. I would recommend if you plan on doing two or more multi sport events, splurge for the full membership.

Swag:

The race shirt is a great dry release shirt. It is extremely soft, unlike any other dry release shirt I've seen. Well, maybe at another HMF race. Additionally, I received a draw string bag, water bottle, and wave specific colored swim cap.

Expo:

There isn't a traditional expo at this race during packet pick up. It is held however at Niantic Bay Bicycles, so if you need something pre race, you can grab it. I will talk more about the bike shop later in the review.

You will need both your photo ID and registration email to pick up your packet. Also if you are a USAT member, you will need either your ID card, key tag or official printout from USAT. If you signed up for a one day membership, you will need that email receipt as well.

All athletes, regardless of membership status, are required to sign a liability waiver. If you are likely to read the fine print, it's a good idea to pre read the waiver. It is available on the HMF and USAT websites.

On race day, there are several vendors and sponsors setup by the transition area. They have sunscreen and lip balm giveaways, always great in race day! There also was a chiropractor and a sports massage station.

Parking:

Parking is on two grassy fields a both a good distance away from Transition. One is directly across from the bike dismount, and the second is much further out next to a church. There are actually two churches fairly close to the parking areaYou are going to miss the typical Sunday traffic due tot the early start times and the fact that you want to get tot the race at least 60-90 minutes early to set up your transition area and get loose.

I had my wife drop me off at the bike dismount which proved great for me to get to the corrals early, but because she left to get coffee and pick the kids up, the walk back to the car was quite a hike. Be prepared if you do the same.

Body Marking:

There were just two volunteers at body marking. A third or fourth would have made the day start out much smoother.

Transition Area:

Transition was extremely secure. I had to show my bib number to enter and to leave at the end of the race with my bike. The transition area had ample space for every athlete. Bikes weren't crowded on the racks, and I was able to set up my shoes and gear easily without crowding someone else. Also, the racks were numbered clearly making T1 and T2 smooth.

Bike support was provided by Niantic Bay Bicycles. The owner, Steve Morrissey was the head mechanic for the USA Cycling Team for several years. I always give my bike a quick once over prior to any race, but I brought it over anyway. They checked my breaks, front and rear derailleur, and tire pressure. All without asking.

Pre race warmup:

Take your pick. Both bike and run courses are very accessible, again, you will need your bib visible to exit or re-enter. Everyone also seems to do a pre race swim by the start. My advise is do at the swim exit especially if you want to go hard and fast of do a pickup set. Once you finish that set, make your way over to the start and stay loose with a breast stroke.

Swim:

Getting from Transition to the swim start was a bit of a hike. I wore a cheap pair of Old Navy flip-flops to throw out since I had to walk over grass and a rocky patch to get to the beach.

The views of most of the swim area are obviously obscured, other than spotting or breaths. However, looking out to the bay it is quite nice, if you don't notice the nuclear power plant in the distance.

The starts are staggered nicely, but the actual chute is a bit narrow. Once the gun goes off, there is going to be a ton of kicking and punching due to the small start area. There are several waves, elite/invited athletes, age group men/Clydesdales, age group women/Athena/Masters males, and first timers/relay.

The first 100 or so meters of the swim is covered with seaweed. It passes quickly, so no need to stress. There are jelly fish in the bay too. Dozens of lifeguards are in the water, and the buoys are large, and easily spotted to keep you on course.

The swim exit is on the beach. Just past the beach in route to T1, there is a a kiddie pool to rinse your feet off. There are volunteers hand king out water too. Always good to rinse the salt out of your mouth.

What I did miss was the table with vinegar sprays for the jellyfish stings. Didn't hear about it until the post race festivities. This is why you read the entire athlete information packet!

I did not wear a wetsuit, opting instead for a one piece tri kit. The water temperature does allow for one, but considering the overall length of the swim and race itself I believe that the extra transition time required to strip it off is not worth the effort. If however, you are treating this as a tune up for a 70.3 or 140.6, by all means, go for it!

Bike:

Coming out of T1, the bike course starts on a fairly large uphill. The road is wide allowing for the faster cyclists to pass. Each turn is clearly marked and well staffed with volunteers. There are a few turns that come at the bottom of downhills. The volunteers are trained to alert you to the turn and motion to slow you down.

Keep in mind, not everyone in this race is experienced in cycling. Make sure you announce your passing intentions and check your 9 o'clock often.

The opening and finishing miles are on main roads. They are very well coned off and several police are stationed strategically to protect runners.

Each of the bike miles takes you through a fairly beautiful area. Actually, most of the ride is shaded.

After dismount, there is a fairly steep run back into transition. If you wear cycle shoes, make sure they come off prior to tackling the hill. YOU WILL FALL DOWN.

Run:

Coming out of T2, the run is fairly flat. The views of the bay and beach are spectacular. At about the 1/2 mile mark, there is a water and sports drink stop. Additionally, there is someone with a garden hose offering a spray. Very nice treat. I'm guessing that you hit the water/spray station somewhere in the middle part of mile 2 as the overall course is mostly a loop.

The finish is amazing. The final 500 meters or so are run on the sand. Be aware of the change in terrain. I stumbled a bit. My suggestion is do not wear newer running shoes to the event. You are going to get them full of sand, inside and out. You can try to rinse them out, but it never works.

At the finish, you receive a very nice beach themed medal along with a water and popsicle. The 2013 edition was quite warm, so it was welcome. They do collect your timing chip and strap before exiting the finishing corral, so there is a small backup, but not too inconvenient.

Post Race:

A few nice things to note here. Most everyone cools off back in the bay. The water temperature is perfect to do so.

There is also a nice post race spread with yogurt, bagels and assorted toppings, fresh fruit, water, and this amazing Asian inspired ramen salad. If [Hartford Marathon Foundation Executive Director] Beth Shluger is listening I want that recipe!

Results are posted in the expo/sponsors area. It is very difficult to navigate the sea of people that are trying to see their results on a computer printout. A few other HMF events have computer terminals set up and a volunteer searches via your bib number. My guess is that there may be something different due to USAT rules.

Overall:

Again, this is a great race year after year. It was the first race that I had done as a triathlete, and it is still on my race calendar.