RACEQUEST TRAVEL

IRONMAN ARIZONA

2014 ATHLETE GUIDE

WELCOME TO IRONMAN ARIZONA

O n behalf of everyone at RaceQuest Travel, our professional athletes and support staff,

we want to welcome you to one of the most popular races in the world, IRONMAN® Ari-

zona! Our program to support your race week has been in the works for many months

because we want you to enjoy every aspect of your time here. This guide includes helpful information to ac-

quaint you with our schedule of events, our staff, partners, and what to expect when traveling with

RaceQuest.

As RaceQuest Travel founders, we are endurance athletes ourselves, taking on “halfs” and “fulls” (and more!)

around the world—from Challenge Family races, IRONMAN® and even races like Norseman and the Coastal

Challenge Rainforest Run. We speak your language, and we understand the unique challenges and demands

placed on you as a traveling athlete. Our mission is to provide you with services that will help set the stage for

your best race day ever! So get those feet up, relax, and if there’s something you need help with during your

stay, just ask.

With every best wish from RaceQuest Travel,

RaceQuest Travel Co-Founders: (L to R)

Kelli Eldridge, Director of Marketing

Krista Baker-Scheyer, CEO

Scott Coey, Athlete Ambassador

RQ Headquarters: Potomac Falls, Virginia

“The best part about RaceQuest Travel is that you cared, genuinely, about my success and happiness

during my stay. Pretty amazing experience and you are doing something very special. A part of me self-

ishly hopes no one finds out about RaceQuest so I can keep it all to myself.”

-Dustin Hinton (@dustinhinton), RaceQuest athlete IRONMAN Florida 2013 and 2014

Kelli KRISTA SCOTT

OUR HOST PROPERTY: HYATT PLACE MESA

Our home for race week is the beautiful new Hyatt Place Mesa. As the official host hotel of

the Phoenix Marathon, the Hyatt Place staff understands the needs of endurance athletes.

There’s a new pool, fitness center, 12-person Jacuzzi, and a hot daily breakfast provided free

of charge to all guests.

We chose the Hyatt Place Mesa for its convenience to several great dining spots within walk-

ing distance and its spacious triathlete-friendly rooms. We’re close to the race site, yet set

apart for the quiet rest you need for race day. Frequent daily shuttles are provided to the race

site/Expo.

All rooms feature a separate living space with sofa, 42” HDTVs, mini refrigerator, coffee and

tea service, hair dryer and free WiFi throughout the facility.

“I’ll never again buy a general entry race slot. The race week experience with

RaceQuest Travel has been invaluable.”

-Joe Axisa, RaceQuest athlete IRONMAN Florida 2014

HYATT PLACE MESA: 1422 W Bass Pro Drive, Mesa, AZ 85201

HYATT PLACE MESA

Phone: 480-969-8200

1422 West Bass Pro Drive

Mesa, AZ 85201

Web: hyattplacephoenixmesa.com

DINING OPTIONS NEAR OUR HOTEL

In addition to the dining facilities and café’ at the Hyatt Place Mesa, there are several fun dining options within walk-

ing distance. Take-out is also available for most of these restaurants. Each morning the Hyatt Place serves hot

breakfast selections for all guests, free of charge.

LOCAL RESTAURANTS

Approximately .25 mile from our hotel:

Chili’s

Cracker Barrel

Famous Dave’s BBQ

Islamorada Fish Company at Bass Pro Shops

Logan’s Roadhouse

Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar and Grill

Approximately .50 mile from our hotel:

Matta’s Mexican Grill

Approximately 2 miles from our hotel:

Blue Adobe Grill

Approximately 3 miles from our hotel:

Omega Gyros

Oregano’s Pizza Bistro

Rosa’s Mexican Grill

Approximately 3.5—4 miles from our hotel:

Mango’s Mexican Café

Kabuki Japanese Restaurant

Keg Steakhouse and Bar

URGENT CARE FACILITY

We sincerely hope this note is not necessary, but in the event you need to

visit an urgent care facility, NextCare Urgent Care is located in Mesa at:

535 E McKellips Rd., #101

Mesa, AZ 85203

Phone: 480-844-7400

Hours: Fri-Sat 9am until 5pm; Sun-Thur 8am until 8pm

Please notify our RaceQuest team if you need assistance.

RACEQUEST FEATURED PRO TRIATHLETE

O ne of the most respected and beloved professional triathletes in the world, Meredith Kessler makes her home

in San Francisco, California and has more than 50 IRONMAN races and several IRONMAN victories on her

stellar resume. But even more than her athletic accolades, her character and genuine love for being with like-

minded athletes shines through for all of us at RaceQuest Travel. Enjoy spending time with and learning from Meredith

this week; she’s going to be looking for you at that finish line.

To learn more about Meredith, please visit her at www.meredithkessler.com. You can also find Meredith on Twitter at:

@mbkessler

“This was an amazing experience from an equally amazing and unique

group that is well worth the cost. My friends and I want to compete at

Challenge Roth someday, and I will look to RaceQuest Travel when

that time comes.”

-Jeffrey McCroskey, RaceQuest athlete IRONMAN Florida 2014

RYAN JOHNSON

Bike Mechanic

Keeps You Rollin’

MEREDITH KESSLER

MEET THE RACEQUEST TRAVEL ARIZONA TEAM

Get ready to be well looked after by the professional, race-experienced team at RaceQuest Travel during your stay

for IRONMAN Arizona. We consider it a privilege to serve you. If there’s anything you need throughout the week,

please just ask. Wheels down, wheels up… we’ve got you covered.

“RaceQuest thoughtfully covered all of the details, including going above

and beyond with fun surprises, necessary accommodations and supplies, and even

some fun activities for my children. I highly recommend RaceQuest, and will

most definitely be working with them again!”

-Tricia Adams, RaceQuest athlete IRONMAN Florida 2014

RYAN JOHNSON

Bike Mechanic

Keeps You Rollin’

FELICITY JOYCE

Athlete Assistance

Motivation Specialist

CHRISTOPHER JARC

Transportation/Photography

Keepin’ it Real

Also helping the team:

Julie Dixon-Miwa—Athlete Assistance TIM TARPLEY—Course Guide/Bike Preview

KRISTA BAKER SCHEYER

Logistics/Lead

703.623.5494

KELLI ELDRIDGE

Hospitality/Lead

205.613.6550

RACEQUEST IRONMAN ARIZONA SCHEDULE

THURSDAY—November 13

Airport Pickup Shuttles Begin to the Hyatt Place Mesa

9:00am—5:00pm Hospitality Desk open at Hyatt Place Mesa

9:00am—5:00pm IRONMAN Expo Open

9:00am—5:00pm IRONMAN Athlete Check-in Available

2:00pm IRONMAN Athlete Briefing

6:00pm—7:30pm Welcome Reception: Meet and Greet, Q&A with Meredith Kessler (Hyatt Place Mesa)

FRIDAY—November 14

6:30am Depart for Swim Session at Kiwanis Recreation Center Pool (Athletes: bring run gear)

7:45am Depart Pool

8:00am—9:00am Run Session/Swim Orientation and T1/T2 Orientation with Meredith

9:00am Shuttle back to Hyatt Place Mesa

9:00am—5:00pm Hospitality Open/Bike Mechanic Available (Bagels, drinks light snacks available pre-ride)

9:00am—5:00pm IRONMAN Expo Open

9:00am—5:00pm IRONMAN Athlete Check-in Available

10:00am Bike Course preview via Shuttle Van with Tim Tarpley

11:00am—12:00pm IRONMAN Mandatory Athlete Briefing Available

2:00pm—3:00pm IRONMAN Mandatory Athlete Briefing Available

3:00pm Bike: Light Training Session with Tim (SAG Vehicle provided)

5:00pm Depart for Expo (Shuttle 1)

5:30pm Depart for Expo (Shuttle 2)

5:30pm IRONMAN Welcome Reception Arrivals

6:30pm IRONMAN Welcome Reception (Post-Reception Shuttles to Hyatt Place Mesa)

SATURDAY—November 15 8:30am Shuttle to Swim Start Departs

9:00am—10:45am Easy Open Water Swim Session at Race Site

9:00am Spouses Briefing

9:00am—3:00pm Hospitality Open/Bike Mechanic Available

10:00am Shuttle departures begin for bike check-in (Drop point: Mission Palms

Resort)

10:00am—3:00pm Mandatory Bike Check-in

3:00pm—5:00pm “Golden Ticket” Pickup (Provide one yellow IM Bike Ticket to RaceQuest Staff)

RACEQUEST IRONMAN ARIZONA SCHEDULE

RACE DAY— November 16

3:30am Breakfast available for our RaceQuest athletes in the hotel lobby

5:00am Shuttle transport to Mission Palms from Hyatt

5:00am Race Quest Hospitality Suite open to guests at Mission Palms

5:45am Shuttle for family members

6:45am PRO START

7:00am AGE GROUP START

5:00pm Shuttles begin departing Post-Race Mission Palms Hospitality Suite for Hyatt Mesa

6:00pm Bike and Gear Retrieval by RaceQuest staff begins

RACE DAY HOSPITALITY SUITE

One of the advantages of traveling with RaceQuest is the use of our Race Day Hospitality Suite located at the finish line in-

side the Mission Palms Resort. We will have a conference room equipped with Recovery Pump boots, catered food and bev-

erages, seating and clean towels if you wish to clean up post-race. Service begins at 5:00 a.m. with coffee and light breakfast

snacks for your family and friends. Throughout the day, we’ll also have activities for the kids and snacks will be stocked

throughout the day.

Post-race we’re bringing in the hot gourmet pizzas, and we’ll have everything you need to recover from the race as you

await shuttle transport back to the Hyatt Place Mesa. Shuttle service begins post-race at 5:00 p.m. and will continue

throughout the evening from the Mission Palms.

If you elected to take advantage of our bike and gear bag retrieval, we will begin collecting items at 6:00 p.m. once transition

opens for us. Two simple notes on this service: we must have one of your “Golden Tickets” with your name written on the

back and we will collect everything EXCEPT your Morning Clothes Bag.

MONDAY—November 17

Shuttles to Airport from Hyatt Place Mesa Begin

6:45am Shuttle to IRONMAN Store

7:00am IRONMAN Store Open

8:00am—12:00pm 2015 Race Registration

8:00am—3:00pm Expo Open

8:00am—12:00pm Awards Ceremony

(food service begins at 9:00am)

11:00am—12:00pm Roll Down

8:00pm Athlete Party