What's the bike and run profile like.

First of all let me say that we enjoyed a great eight years at Disney with the IM 70.3 Florida event. I took over as RD of the event after the first two years. If anyone did the first race at Disney they will remember the "sand" transition and the "golf course" run! Each year we improved the event with a better bike course. Working with Disney Sports and the Wilderness Campground was challenging but very rewarding as we were able to present a great race with-in the "guidelines" of Disney. In my 25+ years of directing races, the Disney IM 70.3 was both the most difficult and the most rewarding race I've been had the pleasure of producing. Each year, we were challenged to "jump through" another hoop to get the race done and we were able to do so because of the tremendous support from Disney Sports.

The main reason we had to move the race was due to the upcoming construction of a new property at the race site. The Fort Wilderness Campground will be going through a major renovation starting this summer. Our finish line, transition and swim finish will be gone and we really had no other place to put them at the Campground. We looked at other options around Disney property, but were not able to find a good relocation.

When we found out that this would be taking place and we started looking for other sites in Central Florida for the race. Back in the late 1980's early 90's I helped produce a Powerman Duathlon at the Grenlefe Resort near Haines City in Polk Country. I contacted Mark Jackson, Executive Director of Polk County Sports and talked to him about possible sites in Polk County for IM 70.3 Florida.

When we saw the site at Lake Eva in Haines City, we knew if work very well for the event. Lake Eva Park is a city owned faciltiy that includes a wonderful 25 yard pool and splash area, a bandshell with a nice green lawn, tennis courts, pavilions, a community center and a white sand beach. The 56 mile bike course has a little less traffic then our course in Orange County around Disney. The run course is around Lake Eva in a very nice neighborhood.

We are very excited about this new venue and think that it will be great for both athletes and spectators. Familes can stay in hotels or rental houses that are 15-20 min. from the race site and 20-25 min. from Disney and Universal. The new LegoLand in Winter Haven is also under 15 min. away from Haines City.

Z

Have not seen any in Lake Eva.

Considering we already made reservations based on the previous website information, I think my family will just enjoy Disney.....

Well I'm definitely committing to do it next year and maybe the three after that. What's not to love about a HIM being less than 4 miles from your house.

Masterpiece Road is in really bad condition with lots of potholes. I live in the area and it is the worst that I have ever seen it! Any word on whether it will be fixed?

Should I inform my friend to bring a knife strapped to his ankle to fight off the alligators?

Confusion over the distance of the course is caused by the previous map of the bike ride that was posted:

http://ironmanhainescity.com/....3_Bike_2012_TBT.pdf

This map has since been replaced.

The early map showed a right turn at Timberlane Road and Masterpiece Road heading west up to Hwy 17(although the cue sheet correctly said left turn). This resulted in the shorter course that several people have commented on. The later map shows that you turn left onto the pot hole filled section of Masterpiece Road heading south. Masterpiece Road changes names in Lake Wales and becomes Burns Avenue (which goes past Bok Tower) heading west and ends back at Hwy 17 but approximately 2.5 miles further south than the original map did. That is the course distance discrepancy.

Like several other people, I hope the county paves that south section of Masterpiece - its a mess. Remainder of the course is pretty nice.

Roads on the IM 70.3 Florida course will be monitored by Police. Since many of these roads are rural, we can not close them as residents must be able to leave or get home. We are posting and placing course information about the race for residents and letting them know that cyclists will be using the roads on race morning. The section on Masterpiece will be worked on before the race. It will be new pavement for 2013, but they will have to pot holes filled in for this year! Z

Yes - I place the older age groups early in the swim waves so that they have a better chance of finishing the race. The fast guys are placed in the back as they will not be out on the course as long. Since the faster athletes start later, the race courses are finished earlier. Bike and Run courses are able to open to traffic. Volunteers, staff and athletes are done with the race in a shorter period of time with these swim waves. With 5 min waves we have found that the bike courss is clean of drafting. Your competitors (people in your age-group) all start at the same time, so no one has an advantage in the race.

A little triathlon history - I directed the first "owned" USAT Age-Group National Championship in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1999 and this system was first used in that race. We were able to close an Interstate Hwy. for the bike course and did 7-12 min. waves. Each Age-group was it's own race.

Z

Yes- Swim waves are official. Z

Tom thanks for the practice swim on sunday, got in a couple loops in but would have liked to seen the the "M" course since I have never raced one. Ran the the run course it is "tough" since the first hill comes quickly out of T2. And it is hot. There was quite a bit of car traffic on the side streets on the back side of the course hope we do not piss them off to much.