I bet you’re like me and you love visiting new areas to compete in a race. You arrive in the town, settle into your accommodation, go for a ride, trot out on the course for a run, have a swim and wander around town a bit. A few days out from the race, it seems everyone else is doing the same thing. We’re all having a great time! That is, except for the locals.

      

Sure, we fill up the accommodation, keep the restaurants busy and the baristas don’t know what has hit them! But how about locals who don’t feel an immediate positive effect from having 1,500 athletes plus their family and friends plonk themselves down in “their” town?

The recent announcement of the Ironman Australia course changes at Port Macquarie brought about what is a regular issue with big races held in regional towns. The effective “shutting down” of the roads and town centre for a weekend stir a response that is part frustration, part anger. Understandably, we as athletes are part to blame. I reckon the event organisers shoulder a good part of it too. Check out this article from the Port Macquarie News and read some of the comments – you’ll get the idea.

So next time you’re visiting a town for a race, try and keep these tips in mind. You’ll do your bit for our sport and hopefully keep the locals happy for another year.

Arrive With A Smile
Sure, you’ve driven 12 hours or had three connecting flights, but that’s no excuse for acting like a spoilt brat when you turn up to your accommodation. It can be funny watching stuck up athletes arrive one after another, but I doubt the staff behind the desk find it as amusing as I do. Be happy and kick off your stay with a good experience.

Ride Considerately
It’s commonplace on my local training routes to ride two abreast – but there are cyclists everywhere, there are bike lanes and the drivers are used to it (albeit not always happy). Multiply your little pre-race riding bunch by 700 or so and you suddenly have a town overridden (no pun intended) with cyclists. Being a Thursday or Friday, the locals have jobs/school/pubs to get to. Keep the riding single file where the road is tight. Keep off the footpaths. Ride sensibly.

Hold Onto It!
You’ve just guzzled down some water and an energy gel – stick the empty wrapper back in your pocket. Simple.

Support The Locals
Spend up big in the local shops. Forget buying that $100 race t-shirt from the merchandise tent and go buy something you really want from the local stores. You’ll have your competitor bracelet on and your purchase is one more reason for them to love you arriving in town! Better still, buy something for your partner/kids/mates in return for their support.

Don’t Be A Garden Sprinkler
We all know that the call of nature can come at anytime during a race. I’m pretty sure that if you saw someone peeing in your front garden, you wouldn’t be happy. If you need to go, avoid people’s front gardens (You’ll believe it when you see it!). Find somewhere a tad more private if you can. This goes for your walk home from the meltdown party as well!

Thank The Volunteers
Those people handing you food, drinks and catching you at the finish line do it out of their own good will. You can be pretty sure that they each cop a mouthful from at least one athlete during race day. Try and thank the volunteers that help you. I can guarantee you that thanking every single person who hands you a drink is possible, and worthwhile. Late in the day you feed off their energy and vice versa. You can still go fast and say thank you.

I’m pretty certain there are many other ways you can make less of a negative impact on the locals at your next regional race, and even help give triathlon a positive public image. It’s all easy to do and doesn’t cost a cent more than it otherwise would!