Mermaid Triathlon Fremont
Fremont, CA
Official Website : http://www.mermaidtriathlon.com
Date : June 7, 2009
Race Type : Triathlon and Multisport
Race Distance : Sprint and Duathlon
Race Description: The unique atmosphere offers an environment full of support, encouragement, and fun. Keeping the distances short makes the Mermaid an ideal event for the first time triathlete as well as provides a fun, fast race for the seasoned veteran.
Triathlon: .25mile (400m) Swim, 11mile Bike, 2.5mile Run
Duathlon:1.5mile Run,11mile Bike, 2.5mile Run
3 Reviews for Mermaid Triathlon Fremont
Ok, loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it. Serious, I loved this event. Everything was great, from the location, to the on site staff and volunteers, to the crowd, to the swag, to the after race food. Mermaid events are my favorite, I'd do one once a month if they held them.
I participated in the friends and family division because I am 5 months pregnant and didn't think that pushing myself in the age groups was a smart idea. Our heat was first to go at 7:30am. A quick 400 meter out and back around two buoys in a quarry pond. The water wasn't cold at all but I wore my wetsuit because I wanted as little of that duck poo water touching my skin. Swim exits onto the sand and you run up hill across sand and grass to the transition area, maybe a 1 minute or so run. Grabbed my bike and ran out to bike mount. The bike was modified to 10 miles from 11 and we did 3 loops on an out and back course. first lap was empty but quickly began filling up. By the third lap is was definitely full and I had to be very careful passing on the left. The wind was a little strong coming back each time, but nothing terrible. There are tons of volunteers on the bike course, but no aid stations, which is fine because it is so short. The only hill is a BART overpass that you hit a total of 6 times. Remember, no passing on the overpass. The run is all on trails along the quarry pond. There were tons of volunteers pointing which way to go and you pass aid stations 3 times, water and gatorade-ish drinks were being served. The finish is about 200 meters on the sand then up a short grass hill. That was a pain!
At the end of the race I got a great necklace, which I am proudly wearing today. I was immediately given a water bottle to rehydrate and a tiny snickers bar... yum! I then headed to the food booth and got a ton of fruit and some pancakes. All included in the entry fee. Best thing was that there are outdoor showers and I was able to wash off before I headed home. Bonus points for that.
A+++++ race, the best!
If you're looking for a very fun, easy triathlon, and you're female, this is the race for you. The lake swim is a good intro for people who fear open-water swimming, the bike course is utterly flat, as is the run. Wait until you see the moms and daughters competing together. I saw some 8-year-old biking on her little pink huffy last year.
The organization is superb, and it's so much fun. And they have the best announcer in the world!
This was the first triathlon I ever competed in and everyone was so accomodating and helpful, organizers and athletes alike! There is an opportunity to compete in an age group as well as a for fun division so it is a great place for women to test the triathlon waters. The course is smooth swimming in a lake, a 3 loop flat bike course and a basically flat run course on compact dirt around percolating ponds so it is not too hard on the knees. Definitely a great place to start!