Projo Running Blog

It was a great first year effort and I especially want to thank all the wonderful volunteers! As far as improving the experience, the last 6 miles of the bike were awful - lots of rough pavement, very narrow shoulder and way too many turns. There has to be a better route into the city. I also believe the organizers need to boost the general community awareness about the route as I saw many a frustrated motorist stuck in traffic.

What a great experience for the volunteers from
Cranston High School West's Cross Country Team and family members!! Thank you Ann & Bob for inviting Coach Lagesse to help out. The athletes were so appreciative.

I am an avid traithlete from Chicago, and I thought the course was appropriately challenging. The point-to-point bike course was interesting and tough; the first half was flat and scenic, while the second half was hills and pain. The road covering the last five miles of the bike course was a little rough, however.

The run cuorse was as hard as any race I have ever done, including the San Francisco Marathon, Escape from Alcatraz, and Ironman Coeur d'Alene.

My lone criticism is that registration on Sat. was frustratingly long. Couple that with having to check your bike in on Sat. (why?), and the race killed two full days. A more efficient check in on Sat., coupled with allowing bike check in on Sun. morning, would have allowed me five hours on Sat. to do something in downtown Providence.

Looking forward to doing it again next year.

First let me say thank you for all the volunteers out on the course, because of them I felt safe and assured of a good race. I have been competing for the past 26 years and this race ranks up there with being challenging and fair. It help that most of the course was my training route. Only two suggestions I have would have sent the run out on North Main and avoid those nasty hills, and place your water bottle exchanges on the bike on an up-hill to make it easy for volunteer hand offs. Hopefully you will give the same coverage to other tri's in RI (Barrington, Wild Dog, Firm-Man) as this one.

I thought the event was fantastic. I agree the Saturday registration was dissapointing, I waited over 90 minutes in line. That was my only complaint. The course was fun, though challenging, everything was very well marked, and I could not believe the police presence, I felt very safe.

I cannot say enough about the volunteers, it seemed like the whole state showed up, they were enthusiastic, plentiful, and good at every task they were assigned.

Having split and clean transitions was something new for me, and it wasn't bad, it was just different. They did a great job getting our wetsuit bags to the finish line, and I didn't wait at all to get that bag.

If anyone knows anything about the double amputee I saw competing I would appreciate a post here. He was amazing, way to go man, you really awed me.

I grew up in RI and flew in for this event, I will come back next year if they have it!

- Mark

For me, this was by far one of the most rewarding athletic experiences of my life. My husband and decided to take on this challenge to celebrate our 10 year Wedding Anniversary.

Having it here in our home state was simply too much to turn down. I was so proud to be a Rhode Islander on Sunday. The volunteers, fan support, police efforts did not go unnoticed. From the little kids on the bike route to the guy on the east side spraying us with his hose....it was ALL appreciated.

I heard so many comments from other athletes about how beautiful our state is. In fact, I read some of the pro's blogs this week and there were so many positive remarks about the people and beauty of our state.

Eident Sports marketing for their efforts did a fantastic job as well. I don't have much to compare this event to as it was my first long-course event. But to those who had long waits on Saturday - try to check in the day before. I heard only about 300 people did and it took all of about 10 minutes.

Further, if anyone has ever considered (or now is considering) participating in an event like this, I would urge you to embark on the journey. I was a non athlete with no background sport when I started. Although it seemed unattainable in the beginning each and every day there was a small amounts of progress (swimming one lap then stopping, then being able to swim two etc.). I certainly did not break any speed records, but I had the time of my life the entire day.

Thanks to all who came out to support me and all of the athletes...it really did make all the difference.

Happy Anniversary Honey - WE DID IT!

The success of any event starts with the volunteers who come out to support the athletes and spectators alike. The volunteers for this event were fantastic and I have to say that made all the difference. THANKS!!! Along with the public safety personnel the staffing made the course very safe. The race ranks up there as one of the best I have competed in and was appropriately challenging. The bike was perfect except the last 6 miles so either the course needs a change or we invest and get the roads shored up for next year. The run was very challenging but appropriately so. Remember the other first rate Triathlons in the state (Firm-Man, Barrington and Wild Dog) and give them due coverage as they are great events too. Can't wait for next year.