Cover Story
“The triathlon community is very close and caring — almost everyone is in a training group and people are always so welcoming for you to join,” said elite triathlete Lukas Verzbicas, who grew up competing in triathlon in the Chicago area.
Long-time Chicago-area triathlete Mark Wachendorf agrees: “The triathlon community around here is very inviting, very encouraging, and the people are great,” he said.
Many of these encouraging Chicago triathletes, even die-hard Ironman athletes, are already gearing up for the 2014 race, marking it as a “must” on their 2014 triathlon calendars, area age-groupers said.
“We do have a lot of success with the Ironman people, and even those people are going, ‘Everybody has to do this race,’” said Aharon, who also coaches age-groupers.
Chicagoans are also known for being raucous spectators — and this is something Chicago-area triathletes say will be on display in full force in 2014.
“Everyone is really proud of their city here,” said Baraczek. “Visitors are often surprised at the amount of hospitality and the number of spectators who show up to support the athletes.”
Of course, all age-groupers who compete in the World Triathlon Series Chicago race will have the opportunity to experience the city of Chicago — something that Chicago-area athletes say is a necessity.
“You could easily fill up a week trying to do stuff in Chicago,” said Melissa Stockwell, a local paratriathlete and three-time paratriathlon world champion.
Indeed, Chicago offers visitors sights that are famous around the world, including renowned museums, a planetarium and aquarium, Broadway-quality theaters, the Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, Willis Tower, summer music and street festivals, and Michigan Avenue’s shopping and five-star restaurants.
Many of these sights are within walking distance of the race venue, which will allow athletes to swim in Lake Michigan, run and bike under the Chicago skyline, race past landmarks such as Grant Park, Soldier Field and Millennium Park and finish with a loop around Buckingham Fountain, a favorite spot for many Chicago-area triathletes.
“The nice thing is we also have a ton of great restaurants, parks and shows, and it’s all within the same area [as the race],” Aharon said.
38 USA TRIATHLON FALL 2013
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