Search
shop

Top professional triathlete shares what racing in the dark was REALLY like at the Miami T100

Paula Findlay details what it was like to race the Miami T100 bike leg without floodlights for large sections of the course, which caused confusion both on the ground and on the live broadcast.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Whilst the racing at the Miami T100 was excellent, the quality of the broadcast in Florida raised some eyebrows, with much of the bike leg in the women’s race hampered by audio and visual issues.

Racing without floodlights on some sections of the course, the darkness not only impacted the viewing experience but more importantly the race, with athletes forced to navigate technical sections in the dark.

In her race recap on YouTube, fourth place finisher Paula Findlay details how the lack of light impacted her race and what it was really like for the professionals on the ground.

“We were assured that the lights would be on”

Before the race, Findlay shared that her concerns of racing in the dark were zero, despite the 5:00pm start time, given that they had been assured the track would be completely lit.

Paula Findlay PTO Canadian Open T2
[Photo by Darren Wheeler (www.thatcameraman.com)]

“We were assured by Bill Christy from Clash that the lights would be on full blast and it would look like daytime, with how bright these lights are, because they host NASCAR races there so it has to be bright.

“My concerns were zero about it being too dark, I’ve raced at Daytona before in the dark, and there was never a problem.

“The issue in Miami was that the inner road course was inside of the track and the lights were on the outside oval.

“When we were on the outside oval, it was okay, but on the inner road, which happens to be the technical part, it was really really dark.”

“I was just following the lights in front of me!”

So dark was the track in Miami, that on the sections away from the floodlights, Findlay admits she relied on the lights from the RaceRanger mounts on the bikes ahead to guide her through the course.

“I had my visor on and I spent two laps navigating this super sketchy inner track and was just looking at RaceRanger lights in front of me, because that’s all I could see so I was just following the lights.

“There were then sirens and an ambulance, I thought someone had crashed, and they were telling us to slow down on one of the corners and it was just hectic.”

Despite the commotion, the Canadian said she didn’t “think it was quite as dark as it appeared on the broadcast”, but did still feel the impact out on course. Racing next at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, the PTO World #7 will hope for a much more uneventful bike leg.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Intimidating’ to go into Worlds after four months off – but Lionel Sanders up for the challenge
Georgia Taylor-Brown Alex Yee Super League Triathlon Malibu 2021
Triathlon’s most decorated Olympic duo now honoured by their former University
Olav Aleksander Bu Photo credit: Roj Ferman | Surpas
Top triathlon coach Olav Aleksander Bu says it’s all about the team after Uno-X bag first Tour de France win
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025: Date, start time, how to watch and who’s racing
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...