Favorite Local Races Of The Pros
- By Bethany Mavis
- Published May 1, 2012
T.J. Tollakson
Based in: Des Moines, Iowa (and Tucson, Ariz., part of the year)
Results: 2011 Ironman Lake Placid winner
“My favorite race in Iowa is a small sprint race in Des Moines called Copper Creek (Coppercreektri.com). It is a true sprint tri with a 750m swim, 20K bike, and 5K run. The swim is in an old gravel quarry, so it is one of cleanest open-water swims in the Midwest. The bike course has a couple of good hills for a challenge, and the run takes athletes through the small golf course community and loops around the lake for the finish. I love that Copper Creek has so many young junior athletes at the event. The sprint distance is very inviting to first-time athletes yet offers a very competitive field of local elites.”
RELATED – T.J. Tollakson: The Idea Man
FILED UNDER: Features / Race Coverage TAGS: Jesse Thomas / Lesley Paterson / Linsey Corbin / Meredith Kessler / races / Sara McLarty / T.J. Tollakson
Bethany Mavis
Bethany Mavis is the associate editor for Triathlete and Inside Triathlon magazines. She received her B.A. in journalism from Point Loma Nazarene University and is a multiple half-marathon finisher.