By: Amy Stanfield
Wiggins, Mississippi is the home of the Flint Creek Water Park. As part of the Pat Harrison Waterway District and located about 35 miles North of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Flint Creek provides camping, picnic areas, and water fun for all. This area is very special to me because I grew up camping here with my family. Whether you are in a tent, camper, or one of the 34 cabins, beautiful scenery, good fishing, and multiple areas for exercise surround you. It also happens to be a wonderful venue for a triathlon. It is both interesting and ironic that my sister and I learned to ride our bikes on the very roads that we raced on.
We drove up from the coast on race morning, and in true Stanfield fashion, arrived with little time to spare. With Baby Ben in tow, we were rushing around a bit to get set up. The race area for Cultivation Nation Triathlon is a picturesque spot with water all around. The swim start is just a short walk from the transition area. After dropping Ben off with a dear friend to be our cheerleaders, we made the walk to start. I did a few quick strokes to feel the water and then it was time to start. The swim is a self-seeded, time trial start that went smoothly. The water was comfortable and besides a few ominous looking weeds that were occasionally visible, the swim was fun. For me, it’s always fun when I’m out of the water.
We drove up from the coast on race morning, and in true Stanfield fashion, arrived with little time to spare. With Baby Ben in tow, we were rushing around a bit to get set up. The race area for Cultivation Nation Triathlon is a picturesque spot with water all around. The swim start is just a short walk from the transition area. After dropping Ben off with a dear friend to be our cheerleaders, we made the walk to start. I did a few quick strokes to feel the water and then it was time to start. The swim is a self-seeded, time trial start that went smoothly. The water was comfortable and besides a few ominous looking weeds that were occasionally visible, the swim was fun. For me, it’s always fun when I’m out of the water.
 Flint Creek Water Park |  Transition |
The bike course at this race is challenging. The ride out of T1 can be fast, but after a sweeping downhill, racers are met with a climb up to Oil Well Rd that can destroy the legs early in the race. There is more climbing over the 17-mile course, but also some good downhill recovery. I found the course to be well marked with signs and volunteers were super. I rode the course a few weeks ago with my husband and friends, so we knew about a less than friendly dog at one spot. The race folks (Thanks, Glynn and Brandy) had visited the home and asked for the dog to be inside for the morning. They also stationed a volunteer at that spot to be on dog watch. Awesome! We never saw that dog on Saturday. Although there were a couple of folks who went down during the bike, thankfully all are ok. Safety should always be first, and I was impressed by the comradery of fellow racers who stopped to be sure all were safe and had any help that they needed.
 |  |
In and out of T2 quickly, and headed into the woods for the run. I caught a glimpse of my little cheerleader in the stroller, and he seemed content to spectate. The run at this race is about 90% on a dirt trail. The recent rain had helped to pack it down some, so the surface was not too bad. I saw most of my team at some point on the run and tried to encourage each of them. I mustered up some extra energy toward the end of the run to take the 2ndoverall female spot, and finished to find Ben napping and oblivious to the finish line excitement.
Cultivation Nation Tri is in the books for 2018. We enjoyed great weather and great friends all doing a sport that we love. Flint creek makes a fun weekend getaway for families of racers too. I have some unfinished business with that bike course so will definitely be back next year. Ya’ll come!
Cultivation Nation Tri is in the books for 2018. We enjoyed great weather and great friends all doing a sport that we love. Flint creek makes a fun weekend getaway for families of racers too. I have some unfinished business with that bike course so will definitely be back next year. Ya’ll come!
Thank you to Cultivation Nation race directors, volunteers, local safety agencies, USAT officials, and the Wiggins community. Your hard work and dedication to supporting our triathlon community events does not go unnoticed.