7/9/2022

Headwaters Adventure Triathlon

2 Mile Run, 10 Mile, Bike, and 5 Mile Kayak

Mantua, Ohio

Russ Neubert

Finish Time:  1:49:59

Overall Place:  5th Place

Division Place:  2nd Place

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  1:54:29

Overall Place:  9th Place

Division Place:  2nd Place

Veronica Neubert

Finish Time:  1:56:28

Overall Place:  11th Place

Division Place:  3rd Place Overall Female

Race Recap By Scott Orlando

The Headwaters Adventure Triathlon is a race I have competed in several times.  The race is organized by volunteers of the Portage Park District which do a great job managing the event.   Weather conditions were very good.  It was a little humid and there wasn’t much wind with the early morning race start.  I had a decent run to start the race.  It wasn’t my fastest but I am still building my speed back from a calf strain.  My transition to the bike was efficient and deliberate trying not to waste time.  The bike course was challenging as usual with plenty of hills that felt like they didn’t end.  They transition area from the bike to the kayak was moved at the last minute apparently due to an overnight decision by Camp Hi.  The Portage Park District scrambled to create a new transition area in a field near the kayak put in area.  I was a bit worried because the new location had us entering Camp Hi from a dirt access road and then riding across the field to the transition area.  I wasn’t sure how the road bikes would handle the terrain but the ground was very dry and didn’t cause any problems.   I had a smooth transition to the kayak and I was on my way down the river.   Right away I knew the water level would be a problem.  It was very low with high seaweed making for slow, tough paddling.  About a mile into the kayak leg I hit a section of the river that looked to be completely blocked with a tree.  I couldn’t find a clean line and saw a shorter kayak in front of me go up an over the log blocking the river so I went for it.  My kayak was much longer and got stuck on the log.   I couldn’t navigate around the log so I ended up exiting the kayak to free myself.  This cost me valuable time.   I pushed hard on the 5 mile kayak course which was a mine field of fallen trees, shallow areas, and heavily weeded areas.  You had to have intense focus on your line searching for safe passage.  With less then a mile to go.  A fast relay team participant came up the left side of my kayak.  Knowing he was on a relay team I wasn’t concerned with being past so I moved to the right to allow him to get by.  Upon doing so my kayak hit another log just under the water line and the bow wedged in the tree branch.  I was stuck and could not free myself so once again I got out of the kayak.  This allowed two kayaks to pass me one being a person in my age group.   I hopped back in my kayak and paddled as hard as I could to the finish but there just wasn’t enough course left for me to make up the time.  The mistake cost me winning my division by just 15 seconds.   It was a frustrating finish to what was a good race.  I ended up 9th overall and 2nd in my division.   All participants received nicely designed t-shirts and custom finisher medals.   My only criticism of the race is that they need to offer more awards.  This always seems to be a sentiment that comes up each year with many of the participants.  Age groups are every 9 years and only first place division awards are presented.  I would love to see them add 2nd and 3rd place age division awards.  Overall a great race that I will definitely return to next year.