A lunatic, by definition, is a person afflicted with temporary insanity due to the phases of the moon. Since many have called me a lunatic with respect to my love of endurance racing, it only seemed fitting to sign up as soon as I saw the notice for the Lunatic Triathlon in Price.
The Lunatic tri was basically this… Run 3.1 miles, bike 9 miles and then swim 350 yards before running into the shallow end of the pool and under the finishers arch. Oh, and it started at 10pm under the light of the full moon!
Prior to the race, everyone was handed an assortment of glow sticks, and assigned an area on the grass – no bike racks this year at least.
The run course is just one big loop on the Price city streets. Intersections were well controlled and there was an aid station complete with screaming volunteers at about mile 2.
The bike course was on fairly well maintained roads, which was good, since clouds moved in to cover the full moon, and many bikes were without lights. As with the run course, the intersections were well controlled, and I was shocked at the number of residents who were out in front of their houses to cheer us on. I had a couple of close calls with lightless bikes, but that was forgotten on the smooth and fast downhill section on Carbonville road.
The swim was a serpentine style race through the lane lines, although each person had to go up and back in every lane. Add lots of passing, people jockeying for position and you end up with an aquatic experience not unlike some of the rougher open water swims I’ve been in.
The top finisher for each gender received a gift certificate to The Athletes Foot and a coupon for a river trip for two in Carbon County, and the top team received an award as well. The remaining finishers were divided into under 30 men, under 30 women, over 30 men and over 30 women, with the top three finishers in each group awared prizes as well. All finishers received an etched medal and by 1am we were all packed up and headed home.
It was a fun and unique race, had a wonderful small town feel to it, and I’ll definitely be signing up again next year. For a first time race, I thought the organizers did a great job, and for myself, the only thing I’ll change next time around is that I’ll spend the night in Price… Getting home at 4am after the race was not the smartest move on my part.
Top Male Finisher – Jacob Sanderson (0:51:52)
Top Female Finisher – Brigitta Ruggeiro (0:57:38)
Top Team – Night Wind (0:59:40)
Top Males under 30
Russell Terry
Seth Kapreilian
Blake Wilfong
Top Females under 30
Shannon Drummand
Sara Adams
Ashley Bracken
Top Males over 30
Richard Laurson
Dane Rauschemberg
Jadin Van Steenvort
Top Females over 30
Heidi Maestas
Christy Engar
Cami Carlson
Written by lunatic triathlete Mike Mackrory. Thanks Mike!
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