Tennessee's Hottest New Club
Last month we connected with Luke Banner, the president of the new Clarksville Triathlon Club, to learn more about the club, how it was started, and why you should join them if you live in the area. Thanks for the time Luke!
TTB: Let’s start right off with telling us how the Clarksville Triathlon Club was started?
LB: I moved to Clarksville in September 2016 and quickly realized that there wasn’t a club, yet their was a cycling and running club. I made a few key friends who were active in the sport, and starting dreaming together. Eventually, through word of mouth and some strategic promotion, we were able to gather some folks together for some informal club meetings. After a few months of these meetings, we had enough momentum and vision to become an official club. So, on October 23, 2017, we adopted by-laws, elected a board, and became an official club. I serve as the President of the Club and today we are a registered USAT club offering a myriad of events and gatherings, and extremely active in the local triathlon community.TTB: Why would someone want to join a triathlon club? Are there group training opportunities? Social activities? Cool kits? Coaches or clinics? Team discounts?
LB: Pretty much all of the above! We exist to promote the sport of triathlon in Clarksville and the region, and to help people find community. So, if that sounds appealing, you should join! We do host training events, including under water swim stroke video analysis. We also have a lot of folks participating in the Clarksville Running Club, Clarksville Cycling Club, and Team RWB, which means we are all over the place. We also have a social every month which means people have the ability to not only train together, but to really get to know each other. As far as Kits go - Yes - we have in all truth the best looking Tri-Kits of any team I have found, and we have a beautiful new team tent that matches. We have a USAT coach in our club, and are working towards getting more coaching opportunities provided with membership. Additionally, our members enjoy substantial discounts at all local triathlons, local running and cycling stores, as well as the Clarksville YMCA, with more to come! Our membership pays for itself!
TTB: It looked like you had a great turnout for the team at the Music City Triathlon. Are there certain races that you focus on attending as a team?
LB: Yes - we had over 2 dozen racers that day with lots of family and friends supporting those racers. We try to focus on the closest races to Clarksville such as Music City, Paris Landing, Riverbluff, and several others, but we also have athletes competing in distant races including 70.3’s across the country and the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.
TTB: If we held a vote on Tennessee Tri Buzz for best new triathlon club, who would win between CTC and the East Nashville Tri club and why?
LB: I truly know nothing about the East Nashville Tri Club - but we don’t have any form of a competitive spirit towards other clubs (unless we are racing as a club competition!) We are just trying to be the best club we can be.
TTB: When are we going to get a triathlon in Clarksville? We got excited when Start2Finish brought the Clarksville Duathlon to town but I think that only lasted one year. Are there “underground” races we don’t know about?
LB: Yes - I have met with Mayor McMillan about the possibility of bringing a race back to Clarksville and have facilitated meetings between her and her team and a local race director. I know they have hopes of a race in 2019, but that’s all I can tell you for now.
TTB: We're just as excited as Mayor McMillian to hear more!!!
TTB: Where are your favorite places to swim, bike, and run in the city?
LB: I like to ride from Oakland Elementary towards Guthrie, Elkton and Trenton. I spend most of my time on the bike on those KY roads. Other than that, I love riding down Rossview to Port Royal. As for running, the APSU track is essential for me, as well as the occasional Rotary Park Trail Run. I swim at the YMCA, and highly recommend it. The YMCA is basically the hub for triathletes in Clarksville at this point. We also have partnered with them to have a Masters Swim a couple days a week.
LB: I really like the idea of state-wide race series.
TTB: As do we. Keep an eye out for a future post on this topic and the possibility of a state-wide race series in 2019!
TTB: Pick your podium for top 3 triathlons in the state.
- Waterfront Triathlon Chattanooga, TN. I do this race every year. This race has the best race venue and overall experience of them all. This is also a Regional Qualifier Race for USAT Nationals. Exceptional. Team-Magic does a wonderful job with this.
- Chattanooga Ironman and Half-Ironman. It is a really big deal that we have these races within our state. The Half-Ironman World Championship was also recently held in Chattanooga, which tells you that it’s a world class race.
- Finally, a Tie for 3rd between Music City (Put on by Team-Magic) and the Riverbluff Triathlon in Ashland City Tn (Put on by Above the Fold). Joe Fleenor runs the Riverbluff and I believe that he is one of the finest race directors to be found. I would be surprised if all of his races were not magnet-sellout races in a couple years.
(TTB Note) We originally reached out to Luke prior to the Riverbluff Triathlon but we were unable to get this post out before the race. Apologies on our side.
LB: Well - I would love to defend that title - but I have been seriously plagued by a Calf strain and have not really been able to run since the Waterfront Triathlon on June 24. With that being the case, chances are poor. Also, it all depends on who shows up. It was such a great joy for me to be able to win last year, and I did have a very strong race, but I’m far from an elite talent. I just hope to be able to race my race and finish without injury.
2017 Riverbluff Tri
Update: Luke finished on the overall podium again this year but took 3rd place with Jordan Green getting the championship belt.
TTB: Anything else you want to share?
LB: I would just say that Triathlon is a great sport, and I have been enjoying it since 2007. I would like to say though that our sport is one that can be all-consuming of its participants, and can like any ‘good’ thing, become an ‘ultimate thing’ that demands all our energy and attention. I have been guilty of this myself when I was doing Ironman Louisville in 2010. I think it’s worth saying that amateur triathletes live/ race/ train in the shadow of the professionals, and that our ‘hobby’ can easily become the thing our life revolves around. I see this taking a toll on careers, families, and folks spiritual lives as well. I want to be an advocate for efficient training and having proper balance with faith, family, work, friends, and our fun sport of triathlon. That would be a neat conversation to start.
Follow the club here!
https://www.facebook.com/clarksvilletriclub/
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