Every year, our planning committee conducts an anonymous participant survey.  One of the questions we ask is how training for this event has impacted racers' health and wellness.  In 2010, respondents reported improvement in the following categories:   

 

Weight: 66%

Strengh: 82%

Endurance: 93%

Energy: 87%

Muscle Tone: 86%

Stress: 79%

Self-Confidence: 87%

 

We also ask for feedback about the overall experience.  Here’s what participants have said about our race:

 

I have participated both last year and this year and hope to participate every year for years to come.  I have been in other events where afterwards I felt that I never want to do that event again.  I think you did a great job of organizing this race and I really love the t-shirts.  Having Jeff Mallet make a special Frazz comic was a nice touch.  Thank you for putting on a terrific event and thank all of your sponsors and volunteers.

 

I did my second tri yesterday and I have to tell you... YOU GUYS ROCK! The Hawk I Tri was so much more organized and wonderful! Keep up the great work! I'll be there next year and bring friends!

 

Thanks so much for a great race. This was my first triathlon and I had a fantastic time. It was well organized and all of the volunteers and staff were tremendously helpful

 

Everyone I was with (spectators included) and I were impressed with how well the event was run, and I felt totally welcome as a newbie :-) I think this is just the beginning of my Tri career.

 

Keep the same upbeat positive staff and people will keep coming back for sure. I loved the pre-race meeting host. He was hilarious and made everyone (novices and veterans) feel welcome.

 

Pre-race emails were excellent!  Great job keeping us informed.  The welcome speech was well done, I like all the info and strategy you told us about

 

I loved the e-mails from Kathie. I was soooo scared, but that really helped, just knowing I could contact someone with questions.

 

You did a great job organizing the event and making everyone feel comfortable throughout the race.  The numbers of volunteers and their words of encouragement were a big help to the participants.  As a beginner, I didn't know what to expect.  Thank you for going out of your way to keep people informed through the e-mails and the early morning talk through.

 

The strengths of this event are organization and catering to participants.  Your level of organization pre-event, event day, and post event have made this the most enjoyable race I have participated in.

 

I am just completely impressed with this event.  Great Job!

 

The bike course was pretty, well manned and directed - kudos to the volunteers!  Transition area was well planned.  The run was beautiful!  Really liked the run!

 

This is a supreme location for a tri.  The park could not be better!

 

This was my first triathlon and possibly the most fun I've ever had!

 

My huge grin is testimony to how much I enjoyed the event.  The positive experience was certainly a motivator to continue doing triathlons and reaping the health benefits.  The crowds and volunteers were so supportive--cheering and yelling encouraging words.  I will be back next year!

 

I want you to know that the [traffic control] officers . . . were extremely supportive and encouraging and also did an excellent job of ensuring our safety during the bike portion of this race.  I have been to many road races and triathlons in Michigan and in other states and can not remember a time when law enforcement officials have been more supportive during the actual event . . . These officers were one of the reasons this event was such a success. 

 

The only other thing that could be done to improve this is to make it a series of races.

 

I felt well informed and and felt like everyone wanted me to do well.  Jeff was extremely helpful and patient when answering my questions.

 

I know there was no way to tell the volunteers thanks, but they all did an awesome job, probably the best I've been in contact with at any event.

 

Thanks so much for a great first triathlon experience! I'll be back next year, and every year after that!

 

This was my first race and I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you how unbelievably organized and fun this race was! The volunteers were awesome! The only drawback to this being my first race is that I fear the rest of my races won't be as much fun as this one was!

 

     

We can't wait to hear what you have to say about 2011!