By Ashlee Ladner
This past weekend I participated for the first time in the long standing 40 year old Heart of Dixie Triathlon. As we packed up and headed north from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Louisville, I quizzed my teammate, Candice, about this logistically challenging event and soaking in any and all tips she could offer for race day!!
Upon arrival at Lake Tiak-O’Khata, the location of the race start, “host” hotel and packet pickup it brought back memories of summer camps I had attended growing up.
Once packets were picked up and cars were unloaded we made preparations for the point to point to point race by dropping off cars at the Neshoba County Fair finish line to ease the burden of retrieving our bikes the following day.
Upon arrival at Lake Tiak-O’Khata, the location of the race start, “host” hotel and packet pickup it brought back memories of summer camps I had attended growing up.
Once packets were picked up and cars were unloaded we made preparations for the point to point to point race by dropping off cars at the Neshoba County Fair finish line to ease the burden of retrieving our bikes the following day.
Race day began a little cooler than most sweltering days of summer, which was a pleasant surprise. I rushed around to get my bike setup in T1 then off to drop my bags in trailers marked T2 and finish line as I mentally went through my checklist hoping I had remembered everything. It was now 6:25 and time to make my way down to the lake and find my place in line. The swim would be considered by most an easy 800 yard horseshoe shaped swim where participants are staggered to start every five seconds.
 SWIM START |  SWIM FINISH |
Surviving the swim, I was off to make up some time on the bike and headed south on Highway 15 to the towards the town of Philadelphia, MS. The ~27 mile open bike course was filled with rolling hills that proved challenging with traffic and other cyclists but overall was a fast and fun ride. T2 was carefully nestled in a grassy field that was adjacent to the highway, the bike racks and transition bags were amazingly organized. I jumped off the bike and into T2 where bike racks and transition bags laid in a grassy field on the side of the highway but were amazingly organized. I quickly ripped open my T2 bag switched into my running shoes and off with my visor and running belt to the run course.
The run course takes place on the shoulder of Highway 21 and ends on the horse track of the Neshoba County Fair. It is hilly and hot but is well supported with aid stations manned with teams of volunteers eager to provide water, popsicles and ice. The last portion of the course is like no other and ends with a full representation of the fair complete with colorful family cabins, political campaign signs, livestock and fair goers cheering you on to the finish.
The run course takes place on the shoulder of Highway 21 and ends on the horse track of the Neshoba County Fair. It is hilly and hot but is well supported with aid stations manned with teams of volunteers eager to provide water, popsicles and ice. The last portion of the course is like no other and ends with a full representation of the fair complete with colorful family cabins, political campaign signs, livestock and fair goers cheering you on to the finish.
 Known as Mississippi's Giant Houseparty |  Hundreds of Colorful Cottages |
The race is unique in so many ways and the awards are no different, where silver platters are awarded to the top ten overall finishers and age group winners. Sister Chain was well represented on the podium claiming six of the top ten overall awards!!
TOP TEN FEMALES
Before, we headed out to backtrack and retrieve our belongings from the transition points we strolled through the fair and some indulged in fair staples-corn dogs, deep fried oreos and ice cream.
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Heading out, we loaded up in the cars we left at the finish the night before and after retrieving our bikes from T2 - yes, 10 bikes and 11 athletes, we made the trek back to Lake Tiak-O'khata to go to the “beach” where we were able to relax and play complete with beverages, water slides, diving performances, laughter and socializing. The weekend wrapped up with dinner at the on-site restaurant complete with a fun and competitive round of the card game Taboo.
 Retrieving the bikes! |  Yes, 10 bikes loaded up! |
Thank you to all of our sponsors and team leaders who make SISTER CHAIN possible! I have been honored to race this year with such a fantastic group of women who share the love of the multi-sport and I am grateful for each of your friendships.