+1. Vineman Full is an incredible deal. The race is well organized, the scenery beautiful, and the course is challenging but not ridiculously so. The race is also fully supported by the communities, which really comes across in the efforts of the volunteers.

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http://dontletitdefeatyou.blogspot.com

Pigman in Palo Iowa is the best I've ever experienced. A nice 1/2 Iron race with a lot of competitors from Madison and Minneapolis areas, and affiliated with Gear West. $86 was my entry fee last year, and that includes entry, free massage after, nice awards (Piggy Banks) and as much great free food (home made pasta and pizza). Did it years ago and went back this year for a great time. This is a very rare jewell.

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

+1 Vineman. This entry fee deal is incredible for the venue and organization offered. Fingers crossed it doesn't fall to the ironman brand like the half did.

Edited for after IM announcement.... so much for that...

Musselman in Geneva, NY-both half and sprint. Beautiful course, great volunteers, good post race eats.

I'm planning on doing Musselman next summer as part of a family trip (yes, I am managing to turn a trip to see my in-laws into something all about me - don't be jealous). Just wondering what kind of race day events and post race party they have there for non-participants? Didn't seem to be much information on their site.

You guys aren't getting grassy enough. My favorite race every year is the Lima YMCA Kewpee sprint race in Lima, OH. I believe it started in 1989. 100 - 150 people. $35 if you register early, $45 I think day of. Always has some decent door prizes and plenty of pizza and Kewpee burgers after the race. Bring your own bike stand because even though the field is so small they never have enough racks, but plenty of space. You park about 10' from transition. Lots of local high school swimmers and cross country runners so you get to have little kids blowing by you.

No timing mat or even person standing at the far end of the run so all you course cutters should love it. But you'd have to be a real tool to cut this course.

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I'm beginning to think that we are much more fucked than I thought.

Another vote for Triple T for a recognized name.

Up in Washington State BuduRacing is awesome.

The LA Tri Series put on by Trievents at Bonelli Park in San Dimas, CA. Its family owned and operated for over 30 years. Originally started by the father and now run by his two daughters. Usually starts in April or May and consists of three races over three months - the first race is a sprint and the third race is a tough Oly. The second race distance is right in between the two. Usually a pretty competitive field and gets athletes from all distances since its early in the year. The overall series male and female winners gets free lifetime entry and each of the overall AG series winners get a County Scroll. It's a very fun set of races and you can sign up for the entire series during their Black Friday sale for about $300 or pick and chose which races to do.

They also contemporaneously run a TriExpress series which essentially cuts the distances in half and ends the series with a sprint. Its great for beginners and younger athletes. Can get a bit congested on the bike course for the Oly, but outside of that its always fun. The price is hard to beat as well even if you miss the Black Friday deals (at least in S. CA).

They also co-host another Oly on the same course later in the year (October) called the Bonelli Olympic Distance (BOD) race, but its not part of the LA Tri Series and is generally much smaller and even more laid back. Its primarily run by others, but its hosted on their website.

In the past they have had some pretty big professional drop ins like Macca and Michellie Jones. Its absurd lining up on the shore and seeing Macca standing two people over from you (that was the last I saw of him btw until the race was over and he was relaxing in the expo - he was FAST).

Cool! I hope you enjoy the experience!

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Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

I've done Rev3 Quassy several times. For $219 early bird entry you've got an awesome venue and challenging course. The area around the race is very quaint and my family loves going to the race. The kids are getting too old now, but they used to spend the time on the rides at the amusement park while I was racing (not sure if they still are, but rides were free with your entry). Then they could run across the line with me. Just made for a less stressful weekend and I didn't have to worry about my wife struggling to keep two kids busy while I was out there "having fun" racing. They loved the host hotel as well.

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http://www.motiv-8.blogspot.com

I'm bumping this thread - it came to mind because of the discussions about short vs. long course, local vs. WTC, and because I, like most people, am starting to think about my 2016 season.

I'm not a long course specialist, and I'm solidly BOP, but i am becoming increasingly more determined to support local races and putting my money where I think it makes a difference to my local tri community. I'm committed to Barrelman. I'm looking at King Pine, Mass State, Maine State, Sebago Lake. Maybe the Polar Bear. I think I'll volunteer for Rev3 Maine, since I live practically on the bike course.

Let's keep the great races listed in here top-of-mind when we're planning, instead of whining when they go away.