Race organizers say it's "make or break" for the event as they try to pull out all the stops for athletes and spectators.
SANDUSKY, Ohio — 140.6 miles. That's how far you swim, bike, and run in an Ironman-length triathlon. Yet those who have organized Sunday's inaugural Revolution3 Cedar Point race are about to complete a journey even longer.
That's because not only are they mounting the region's largest multisport event but they are also striving to make a good first impression by putting on a race that sets new standards for the triathlon.
"It's make or break for us," said race director Eric Opdyke. "Everything depends on this."
Registration for the race, the largest in Florida-based Revolution3's four-race series, closed last month. At that point, marketing director Heather Gollnick said approximately 1,200 amateur and professional athletes had signed up for either the full- or half-Ironman-length event.
Both races launch from a transition area outside Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky.
In the first leg, competitors swim either 1.2 or 2.4 miles. Lake conditions permitting, all athletes will swim on the east side of the peninsula. Otherwise, both groups will swim on the west side.
From there, athletes will hop on bikes, don helmets, and embark on either 56- or 112-mile rides through Erie County. Opdyke said he took care in planning the mostly flat course to avoid both train tracks and highway crossings. Wind, however, is likely to be a factor.
The final run takes athletes down Cedar Point causeway and through Sandusky. Half-distance entrants will make one loop of a 13.1-mile route, while full-distance contestants will go around twice, wrapping up their epic effort with a 26.2-mile marathon.
The final cut-off for the full-length race is midnight, 17 hours after the start and four hours after sunset. "You're dealing with a daylight issue, which presents a challenge," Opdyke said. "It's different when you're going to have people out there in the dark."
It's a long day for athletes, to be sure, but by setting the race at Cedar Point, Rev3 aims to at least help time fly for spectators. Included with each registration are two passes to the park. Other amenities include live video coverage, high-tech athlete tracking and a finish line festival in the park beginning at 9 p.m.
"For families to be able to enjoy an amusement park is great," noted Gollnick, a professional triathlete and coach.
For professionals, of course, the attraction at Rev3 isn't the Top Thrill Dragster or Magnum roller coasters so much as a prize purse totaling $150,000. Top-10 finishers in the full-length race are eligible for cash awards ranging from $500 to $16,000 apiece.
That's how the race was able to attract 34 professionals from around the world, despite the relative proximity of several comparable races in surrounding states and the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
"There are always good athletes when the prize money is good," said professional competitor Bjorn Andersson, 31, a native of Sweden. "Except for a few of the very best, there's not a lot of money in this field."
With the debut of a major new race and the participation of international professionals comes the attention of the world. In addition to winning over Greater Sandusky, the presenters must also meet their own high standards -- established at earlier Rev3 races in Middlebury, Conn. and Knoxville, Tenn. -- and fulfill the expectations of the entire triathlon community.
"They have a good reputation," Andersson said. "It's definitely well known. The first two races were some of the most competitive triathlons this year."
But Opdyke isn't worried. Every step, he said, has been taken to ensure competitors and spectators have positive experiences.
In addition to plump goodie bags and clear course markings, athletes can look forward to individual, handmade bike racks, personalized race bibs, equal space in the transition zone, and a finisher's medal.
"We try to give you more than you get elsewhere," Opdyke said. "It's those little things together that can make a big difference. I do believe this is going to be the best race in our series."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: zlewis@plaind.com, 216-999-4632