Lake Mills Triathlon

Good. How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 30% of the overall score.

Toughness: Tough

• Racer satisfactionLoved3.7

  Beginners describe satisfying finishes despite cold-water nerves and personal difficulties. · Low confidence

• OrganizationWell run3.6

  A participant found attentive kayak volunteers, aid and an encouraging finish. · Low confidence

• First timer friendlyFriendly3.7

  Novice waves help beginners, but cold-water nerves and the uphill bike mount require practice. · Low confidence

Good. Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.

• Wetsuit legalUsually3.5

  Race-day water temperatures and wetsuit decisions are not documented across editions. · Low confidence

• Water temperatureAcceptable3.3

  One beginner found the water cold; another year felt more comfortable in a wetsuit. · Low confidence

• Calm waterMostly calm3.5

  Recent athlete descriptions of water conditions are limited. · Low confidence

• Swim easeEasy3.7

  The 400 m (437 yd) lake swim is short, though beginners still describe anxiety. · Low confidence

• Swim experienceGreat3.5

  Experiences range from cold-water discomfort to a much more confident return. · Low confidence

• Swim supportGood4.1

  A participant praised attentive kayak volunteers; the organizer offers a novice wave. · Medium confidence

Good. Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.

• Road surfaceGood3.5

  Recent athlete descriptions of pavement are limited. · Low confidence

• Road closuresPartly closed3.2

  A 2023 participant describes an open course; current restrictions need confirmation. · Low confidence

• Bike sceneryBeautiful3.5

  Few athletes have described bike scenery. · Low confidence

• WindMostly calm3.5

  Typical bike wind conditions remain unverified. · Low confidence

Very good. Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

• Crowd supportStrong3.7

  A participant describes cheers and bells on the final approach. · Low confidence

• Aid stationsGood3.6

  A participant reports halfway run water and bottled water at the finish. · Low confidence

• Run sceneryBeautiful3.8

  A participant enjoyed the Glacial Drumlin Trail section. · Low confidence

• Run conditionsEasy3.5

  Crushed gravel and the downhill finish felt manageable, but fatigue affected one participant. · Low confidence

Good. Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

• Air temperaturePleasant3.5

  Typical race-day temperatures remain unverified. · Low confidence

• Weather reliabilityReliable3.5

  Too few editions are documented to establish reliable weather. · Low confidence

• Venue beautyLovely3.7

  Lake swimming and a gravel-trail run appeal to participants. · Low confidence

• Spectator friendlyEasy3.5

  Recent spectator experiences are sparsely documented. · Low confidence

Good. Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.

• Hotel availabilityGood3.5

  Athlete reports do not establish hotel availability. · Low confidence

• Hotel valueGood3.5

  Athlete reports do not establish race-week accommodation value. · Low confidence

• WalkabilityWalkable3.5

  Parking and walking arrangements are not fully documented. · Low confidence

• Travel easeEasy3.5

  Airport transfers and travel experiences are sparsely documented. · Low confidence

• LogisticsSimple3.5

  Race-morning pickup is available at the park; Saturday pickup is in Madison. · Low confidence

• Town and foodGood3.5

  Athlete reports say little about local dining. · Low confidence