Key Biscayne Triathlon Trilogy

Great organization, its always nice to hear Dave’s voice as he is narrating at the finish line. The Trilogy is a series of 3 sprint distance races that are good for the beginner or elite alike. Its a great way to break into the sport.
It is incredibly well organized and easy for the triathlete to sign up, and participate in. Questions are handled with ease — and the volunteers do know their stuff as opposed to some races where they can be a tad clueless. This race has gone from a small group and exploded into hundreds of athletes over the years, its becoming the race «TO DO».
The only reason it has 4 not 5 stars? The finish line used to be at the end of the road, now there is a sharp right and then a few yards away is the finish line. Its a mind f**k when you cant see the finish, and it adds precious seconds to your time.
Pros — easy to sign up, great parking (you pay to get into Crandon — its $ 5), good transition pens.
Cons — the run from the ocean to the transition pen is long and brutal on your feet. The finish line is not at the end of the road but around that sharp turn.
Biggest pro? Triathletes rock.

This series is what reignited the inner athlete in me in my late 30’s.
I was taking spinning classes at Sanctuary 7 and one of the teachers mentioned that she was a triathlete. I thought, one day when I lose a lot of weight and learn to swim, maybe just maybe I could do that.
Long story short, I can not swim but the day before I bought a bike at Sports Authority and decided I would just wing my way through it.
I almost drowned in the water as I was kicked and punched and had to be rescued by the life guards — I then after almost quitting then doggy paddled to each of the 6 life guards on duty to be the absolutely last person out of the water — but I finished the bike and the run and I have never looked back.
The crowd that comes out for these races is a mix of the hard core triathletes, casual weekend warriors and their supporters but all cheer for everyone — its the closest we in south Florida have to the Boston Marathon Crowd .
These races can be done individually or as a team — Kevin F and I have done them and they are fun.
So what are you waiting for?

The Oldest Triathlon Series in South Florida
First Race in the series is usually on the third week of June and then there are 2 more, hence the name Triathlon trilogy — one in July and one in August–
This event is definitely a must for the multi sport enthusiast, I have been racing these for over 6 years now and like me, they have been the races that started a lot of us in the world of multi sport.
Most of us have gone on to longer events such as Ironman races and more.
Anyway the venue is fantastic, the swim leg is in the ocean but usually, barring the rare early morning storm, it starts early when the ocean is calm so it is a pretty fast leg. Takes the average swimmer less than 10 minutes to complete this 500 meter swim.
The swim to bike transition is a bit long because the beach is so wide but it is mostly over sand a bit of pavement and grass so it is not too harsh on the feet.
The Bike leg is the best !!! Racing over the Rickenbacker Causeway, you enjoy the best views of Downtown Miami and Brickel, the bridge is the great equalizer — known as the only «hill» in Miami it kicks the ass of those cyclists not used to hill workouts — it is 10 miles and it rocks !!
The run is beautiful as well, it is a 5 K within Crandon park, some of it bordering the ocean, beautiful fast and enjoyable — triple whammy !!!
This series is really good because each individual race serves as a benchmark for the next one, it is good way to increase your fitness level and gear up for the longer races in the fall, such as Escape to Miami, Miami Man and the Florida Ironman — and also for the 13.1 race in Fort Lauderdale and the Marathon of the Palm Beaches in early December–
For 2009 they have thrown in a «bonus» round in September which is even better because it leaves you completely tuned up to tackle the Escape to Miami International Triathlon.
Don’t feel like paying for the entry fees, no problem, volunteer at the races (yes you can volunteer and race the same day) and they will give you credit towards your race entry.
…for details.