I'd guess it won't. With Louisville and Chattanooga both within a month, I'll bet only Chattanooga sells out among the three. But that is pure speculation.

I really enjoyed the course yesterday. Couldn't have asked for better weather and the atmosphere was a lot of fun. Could tell the locals were happy to have the race there. Spectators were into it and the main parts of the run course were lined with people. The volunteers were some of the best I've experienced at any race.

Swim felt fast but it looks like most times were slow 5+ minutes. To me it looked like the buoys curved in between turns. Little tough at points but the swim start process allowed for some great drafting in the water...marathon style start.

Bike is obviously fast and flat. Tough to stay aero that long but it is a nice course. Drafters were out in full force and I maybe saw 1 marshall the entire bike.

Run got a little crowded and the 3 loops were tough on the mind. Finish strip was a lot of fun running down that brick road.


I'll likely do it again eventually. I highly doubt it's anywhere near selling out for 2015. I'm not sure how many race Saturday but it couldn't have been more than 1,700 and I'm sure WTC would like to cram 2,500 onto that course if the demand was there. I believe I heard Maryland was the most represented state and there were a lot of of first timers out there. I talked to a few that really hadn't trained properly for the distance. Based on that I'm thinking there will be even less demand for next year.

any conversation about changing any portion of the course for next year?

That bike seemed ridiculously fast...Some of my friends were saying that the tailwind was absolutely awesome through 80 miles, or so. Too bad about drafters.

Did the race also yesterday, it is a great race for first timers and anyone looking for a PR.

Lots of good things to say, some opportunities for improvement also. Like everyone else the swim was long but course was very well set up, not confusing at all for the two lap system. I liked the rolling start, while not a mass start it is pretty close to it. Transitions were well organized, all typical WTC standard.

Bike course was flat and fast on very nice roads. Other then a few sections there were no cars on the road. Aid stations seemed understaffed (didn't use them). Very few intersections or turns so your legs will experience the same thing like riding on a trainer. Run had lots of spectators but this is a small town, so if everybody comes out there still won't be huge numbers of people. You can't compare it to, say, Wisconsin. But enough to have a great atmosphere. Aid stations here seemed again understaffed also and weren't set up consistently. Sometimes water was in the beginning, next time at the end, next time in the middle, etc. loved the finish chute, location at Long Wharf is pretty spectacular. All volunteers did the very best they could, my sense overall was this being a first IM they got it 95% right and just have some smaller things to take care of to make it perfect by the time it becomes a sell out event.

I think this race will be a great alternative to Florida, people will quickly realize there's a new fast 'easy' race on the calendar and jump on it.

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Big issue with this race is lack of hotel rooms. There are not very many rooms in the town and surrounding towns. Even with 1700 racers many had to stay 35+ minutes away.

If you want to sign up for this race for next year, find a room asap.

Not to hijack the thread, but why would Chatt sell out when Lou did not? The big draw for Chatt was the time of year, I would think. Now, Chatt and Lou are practically identical. Both are at the same time of the year, and feature down river swims, fairly easy courses compared to the "Northern summer" races (Placid, MT, Muskoka), and are in mid sized southern cities with a lot of stuff to do while you are there. Lou is still open. So, by the way is every Ironman scheduled in North America next year. I am still shocked Wisconsin is open (because of Muskoka?), and MT is still open (because of Muskoka?). Also, Chatt sold out last year before Maryland was announced. Bottom line, the days of IM sell outs,or at least immediate sell outs, are over. Which is a great thing for triathletes because now we have choices...and the time to make them. Of course, it will be interesting to see how many of these races are still around in 5 years as numbers continue to decline (and they are declining)

Again, just speculation, but there is a huge buzz around Chattanooga in the Southeast. Also the aura of such a fast sellout lest year will have (I think) people signing up immediately even if they're on the fence. But then again, it's sponsored by (gasp) Little Debbie and the bike course is an impossible 116 miles...

My bet: 8 days from now, IMChoo 2015 will be sold out.

Quote:

My bet: 8 days from now, IMChoo 2015 will be sold out.

It's already > 50% sold out. So my guess is it'll sell out the first day they open Online registration.

Not true.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I did the Ironman.

The swim was slow (maybe 10 minutes) with the varying currents and chop, but that is what you get when you swim in the Choptank.

Bike course is blistering fast under the right conditions, which we had yesterday. Mentally and physically it is hard to stage aero for 112 miles. I saw no draft packs (unlike at Eagleman) but I am a very slow swimmer and a strong biker and passed a ton of people. However every penalty tent was packed with people.

The three-loop run worked well with lots of chances to see family and friends. Maybe with 2,500 racers (1,500 this year) it could be a problem.

I thought that all the volunteers were great. The town on Cambridge seems very happy to have the race. Hotels are very limited but lots of rental houses available. And even a place 30 miles away is a quick drive.

Next year the races moves to two weeks later in the year. I worry about the weather as the weather starts to transition to Fall in October. It could be very pleasant or cold & wet. I once raced Half Full in Columbia and it was nasty cold and wet.

That's interesting. My guess is that Maryland sells out pretty quickly and Chattanooga stays open. The reason it say this is the flat run/bike in Maryland with a full 17 hours which I think will really appeal to first timers.

Also crab cakes make an excellent celebration meal :-)

Have any Garmin files you can post?

While you make an excellent crab cake argument (how many crabcakes = 1 Ironman of calories?), You forget the allure of a current-assisted swim at Chattanooga! Triathletes hate nothing more than swimming...

anyone know about roll down spots?

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

Not a single one rolled down.

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Most had one slot, a couple with two and no roll downs

Seems to handle the 2500+ people for Eagleman

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Many other athletes I talked with this morning did not believe there were many sections with a favorable tailwind on the bike. Most were complaining about the headwinds from miles 40-55 and 85-100 (or somewhere along those lines). Also, felt like a crosswind the entire ride.

I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of drafting on the bike course. With it being so flat, I thought there'd be plenty. Next year, if there are twice as many athletes, the drafting may be more of an issue.

If you look at the swim times, there were a lot of 1:09 and up, even among the top folks. It was definitely slow. I was about 12 minutes slower than normal.

how would you guys rate this course as a first time?

I am up in the air about signing up for my first full. This year will be completed my 2nd full year of triathlon. will have 4 halfs under my belt after augusta next week.

only fear is the volume and time of training. for those of you who have experienced the training many times, at what point does time commitment really become a very large component as far as months prior to race.

Temp was high 70's. Got into low 80's by most people's second lap. Winds were 8mph out of the east during the bike. Roughly 25% headwind, 25% tailwind, and 50% crosswinds yesterday (headwinds from miles you indicated). I biked one lap during the morning before the race (about 45min in front of the lead). Course was well marked. There is hardly ever any motor traffic out there (I bike it at least once a week, usually twice) so that is a plus. No technical turns and very few turns period. With that, winds can get mid 20mph gusting over 30mph easy. Temps have also been mid to high 90's easily during this time. As with any race, atmospherics play a big part on the speed.

50:05 was first out of water. He is a 50 minute swimmer. He had no issues and hit his time. 14 of the top 28 males were under 1:09. Not sure what you define as "top folks". I am not saying it was fast, but it was a manageable swim course from what gathered. It was a race with a high number of first-timers. Maybe this has something to do with slower times perhaps? Maybe it has to do with being so close to Kona, those age-groupers are in final prep for the WC and not at this one (also why no roll downs). With the easterly winds though, it would be hurting you as you went towards the bridge. On the flip side, it would be helping you come back to shore. I did not look at the tide chart so?

Drafting: after my ride (finishes in the middle of the lap box the racers were doing) I was driving home on the headwind section of the course. Only saw one pack of about 20 people working together. Real close together. Near the front so I assume this isn't their first rodeo. They know who they are because I politely encouraged them to play by the rules. Yes, that was me yelling at you to quit drafting. If they believe they were not drafting I can play the video my wife got of them for 1.5-2 minutes and unleash the hounds on you. Only real drafting I saw personally from the 20 or so miles I drove of the course to get to where I was going. I do not know if any in that group got a penalty. If I cared enough I would look at the video and get their numbers and look, but to what end?

I thought as an inaugural event it was done well. I look forward to seeing it progress.

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Formerly TriBrad02

I did the race, and there is nothing not to like about it. Other than the hotel situation perhaps. Just book in advance or get few others to rent a house.
Times were blistering. Major bragging rights on the table. I think it will sell out for 2015.
Great bike course. Nothing boring about it as some speculated prior to the race.
Run course was well market despite the three loops, so you kind of knew exactly where you were. As most of us train in similar areas, I think it was nothing unusual. How many long runs do you really do "out and back"?
Will definitely come back again (may have to to PR ever again!).

Thank you, everyone! Very, very informative.
Talked me into it. I signed up!

I was a spectator at the race and plan on signing up for 2015 (if it doesn't sell out before I can get the funds together).

Here is a video from WTC highlighting the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTTG-noN6O0

I was out there with my college team University of Maryland cheering on a teammate and were thrilled to see the whole town out cheering as well. We were the group with the guy in the maryland speedo.

The bike is very flat. I did see a bunch of "groups" of riders go by but we were just past an aid station around the half way point and start of the 2nd loop so that could have contributed. The course didn't seem too crowded on bike or run but that was just from a spectators position. As a finisher of Arizona 2012 I will hopefully race this next year. Be weary of Maryland in October 2015. I'm a local and raced REV3 Half-full but the collegiate regional championship (olympic distance) that same day in 2012 and all I can say is that it can be 40-50 degrees and raining around that time in Maryland. The water ends up being warmer than the air sometimes. Just be aware of it. Still had no problem racing that day though.

I signed up. First time full IM. Picked this one after I did Eagleman this year. I liked the fast flat bike course and the swim really wasn't that bad at all. This race IMMD seems to have everything good for a first time race, specifically the flat bike course and spectator friendly run course. Somebody here already mentioned this could be a good alternative to IMFL and I agree with that (not having done either though).

Only the pushback by two weeks to October date is questionable, weather wise, but I'll just have to wait and see..

Good luck if you decide to sign up.

Wouldn't it kind of look like this?: _______________________________________________________________

I think that the WTC got lucky, that was ideal conditions for the race. If the race was a day earlier the winds were blowing 15 - 20 mph (close to typical day on the eastern shore) the swim and bike would have been a nightmare for a lot of people.

That said I thought it was a great race. I don't like Eagleman at all and I love this race. The run through town was so much better. The people of Cambridge were great and I'll definitely be doing this race again in the future. Just be warned, if you think your signing up for a fast easy course think again. I think the chances for a windy day are better than a calm one.

Yes, the day before was terrible. The water was very choppy on Friday but, on race day, the water was nice and smooth. Friday, you had to ride your bike at a 45 degree angle. The wind was present race day but definitely better then the wind on Friday.

There were quite a few cars on the roads too. Several times, I was stuck behind trucks trying to get through the crowds. On the road with the rumble strips (cannot recall the name of that road), you would have to pass other cyclists to the left of the white line. Had several cars honk as riders would do this and the riders were not moving very far into the lane. Besides these few instances, it was a very nice race.

I'd be tempted to do this race some year, if only because it's a lot closer than IMFL or IMAZ if i want to take a shot at a sub 9.

However, that's also the reason that I anticipate it might eventually sell out...same reason FL and AZ sell out. Probably not this year, but it may gain traction.

I do think it might draw some attendance form FL & AZ and make those races easier to get into.

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wish it had more then 30 Kona slots basically have to win your age group to KQ

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

One can only control the controllables, and, as we've just seen with IM Tahoe, the weather conditions and wind direction are not controllable.

Is that what the 2015 version will have for Kona 2016 as well? The things I've read only reference the 2014 race slots.

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on ironman website it still is saying 30 slots so i don't think it is changing. Was hoping it was going to go to 50.

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

You guys were awesome! How did your group decide to go out there and did you draw straws for who had to wear the speedo? Were you out there all day? I know I saw you twice on the bike and on my third run loop.

I hope you can do this race. Are there others on your team hoping to join you?

Thanks again for the energy!

Right, but


Originally from: http://www.ironman.com/...s.aspx#ixzz3E5x06I3U

It doesn't look like its updated for next year yet.

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Proud Member of Chris McDonald's 2018 Big Sexy Race Team "That which doesn't kill me, will only make me stronger"
Blog-Twitter-Instagram-Race Reports - 2018 Races: IM Florida 70.3, IM Raleigh 70.3, IM 70.3 World Championships - South Africa, IM North Carolina 70.3

You are correct! It does not specify what year on the home page the 30 spots are going to, maybe it has not been updated? I just emailed hope they respond in a timely manor. Fingers crossed.

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

We go out every year and volunteer at Chesapeake Man. This year with IMMD we had a teammate from UMD participating in her first and we went out in force to cheer her on. About 15 of us went. 5 were there in the morning and volunteering stripping a lot of wetsuits. I arrived later with 10 more and a grill to start tailgating and cheering on the bike course. When the bike course cut off closed we moved over to the run. The speedo was our former president and now VP Kevin. He's a character and bought that a while ago online. He won his age group at Lake Placid and will be sporting that thing at the KONA underwear run for sure.

I personally am trying to race it next year. I know I have at least 1 more teammate on our collegiate team (University of Maryland) racing. I'm trying to convince more. We race olympic distance in college but a lot of people are moving up to the Iron distance stuff. A lot of us including myself are broke and we get very little help from the University. So we scrounge up enough money to do some races and fix our bikes when need be but triathlon is an expensive sport and it's been 2012 till now when hopefully I can save enough money and afford another ironman entry fee over the winter. (that damn thing called tuition :( For my sake I hope it sells out but just doesn't do so until about January.

whats estimated time to selllout?

"50:05 was first out of water. He is a 50 minute swimmer. He had no issues and hit his time. 14 of the top 28 males were under 1:09. Not sure what you define as "top folks". I am not saying it was fast, but it was a manageable swim course from what gathered. It was a race with a high number of first-timers. Maybe this has something to do with slower times perhaps? Maybe it has to do with being so close to Kona, those age-groupers are in final prep for the WC and not at this one (also why no roll downs). With the easterly winds though, it would be hurting you as you went towards the bridge. On the flip side, it would be helping you come back to shore. I did not look at the tide chart so?"

I was 10 minutes slower in the water than both AZ & Placid. There was a current on the first leg going east toward the bridge. I swung wide left to avoid the crowd on the turn buoy and within two strokes got pushed 10 yards back into it. Swam toward shore to the 2nd turn, did the same wide turn and didnt get the same effect, so I'd guess the current out in the channel wasnt as strong closer to shore where it was protected by the marina. So upstream out, no push back. The top guy was 50 mins but the next group was EIGHT minutes back.

Great first-timers course, not the coolest town in the world but the course is gorgeous on the bike & lots of the run (water views), and lots of company on the run. Great race.

I thought this analysis of the race was interesting:

http://www.coachcox.co.uk/...14-results-analysis/

Does anyone care to post a bike file? I'm just curious b/c the bike was so darn fast for so many ppl! Was it short, or was the wind just right for a fast split? Thanks!

I did IMMD on Saturday. It was finish #10 for me so lots of races to compare. It is interesting to read everyone's different opinions. I thought the swim was extremely slow, swam almost 10 minutes slower than IMTX despite more swim training. The buoys at the top of the loop had curved out by the time I got there. Felt I swam at least 2.75 miles. Loved the rolling start. It makes sense.

Bike was boring but blazing fast. If you practice staying aero for 112 miles you are golden. I stayed aero during the entire ride and it paid off big time. Didn't see too much drafting and saw lots of Marshalls. Unfortunately got dinged with a blocking penalty for not riding on the shoulder. Penalty tent was overflowing when I pulled up.

Run was boring as blazes. That run course could have been so much more fun if the downtown part of it was longer. Some aid stations severely understaffed. Nevertheless fast and flat run course.

Limited hotels did not bother me. Did airbnb and ended up in a huge house with 3 other triathletes. Best accommodation ever.

Also kudos regarding the overall logistics of the race. Everything was close and easy to find, easy race day parking, short line at registration, ability to get your gear bags and bike the morning after. Much more relaxing and less hectic than all the other ironman I've done.

Was my 9th IM and found the race to be great....felt like a local Sprint---smaller crowds--smaller registration lines---not that crowded on course---and yet was an IM.

Quick Thoughts:

Swim--I think it was about 10 minutes slow for those who started later in the seeded start. Crossing the start line on land and then baby stepping into the water and the dock area being so congested that you had to doggy paddle/swim with head up for about 5 minutes...My suggestion to the organizers would be to stick with the seeded start but have it in an area that is not confined like the dock ramps so people can spread out and swim right away. Louisville is a good example of this..

Bike--I saw limited drafting and was passed by officials pretty frequently--- I thought the course was great---the standing water from the rising tides in the marsh was different---and a few more volunteers would help at the water stations but overall great experience---thank goodness only 1 real long stretch with a head wind (mile 90-105?) Roads pretty smooth and enjoyed the course.

Run---I liked the 3 loops---I loved the run through town each time and wish they could add more of the course there in the future and maybe even put the finish line in town where the band was playing at the turnaround point---the run along the water was really nice----the run through the neighborhoods got pretty boring...

Overall--I signed up for next year primarily because it is only about 2 hours from home---but I was happy with the IM improvements to the course having completed Chesapeake man over much of the same course. I missed the crappy food and a dinner for the first time---I missed that part of the experience....Great race--loved picking up equipment of Sunday---loved racing on Saturday...for 1st timers I would suggest doing a "bigger fan friendly event" such as Louisville as the finish lines cant compare....

Next year--IMMD and then the following year thinking about IMCHOO

great race, and would suggest it.

the bike was fast because conditions were perfect and it was110.9 miles.

i am only one person but i saw WAY less drafting than FLA or AZ

WAY fewer people right?

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I think there were only four or 500 less people than Florida.

But it seemed like a ton less.