Soloman

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No coasting in running and no crying in baseball

American Triple-T

Pumpkinman:
* Great course
* Great location
* Great organization
* Great volunteers
* Great food
* Great atmosphere

Sprint and half distances, totally affordable.

American Zoffingen Duathlon
New Patz, NY

LC: 5mi/89mi/15mi

Middle 5/ 29/ 5/ 29/ 5

Canadian Woman's Division 5/ 29/ 5

All the pain you can ask for for $125, with beer and burgers and bagpipes!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Best value for me also doubles as my definition of "grassroots", that is why I support race production companies whose focus is local market, with races that cover the spectrum from elite through beginners. Here in CO two race companies I think nail value and grassroots perfectly. Racing Under Ground and Without Limits Productions. While they'll never field a 2000+ athlete field, yet they do very well attracting competitive fields and beginners. Plus they create an atmosphere that is very spectator friendly.

For absolute dollar value, I raced 6 local tri's produced by those two companies for about the same if not less than Boulder 70.3 cost me.

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The secret of a long life is you try not to shorten it.
-Nobody

+1 for Triple-T

Also, in the Midwest, Pigman in IA.

I would have voted for the Endurathon in Muncie, IN. But, WTC took this over <sad face>.

I'll throw a vote behind Barrelman Half-Iron in Niagara Falls, Ontario, http://niagarafallstriathlon.com/. Registration for the September 18th, 2016 race is currently at $207 (CDN) and goes to a high of $264 if you wait. The price actually went down this year because processing fees dropped!


The race has a lot going for it.

• Fun run beside the falls
• Brilliant swim course at a rowing facility
• Exchange rate means Americans get a great deal
• Well supported bike course. Though not 100% closed, police do a good job keeping drivers off the roads.
• Wonderful atmosphere at the finish line
• Multisport Canada, the event producer, runs a well organized series.
• Good competition

Hands down, Triple T and/or little smokies half.

can you give me names of the best races each produce?

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

Depends on what you are looking for in the grassroot triathlon. If it is a tough course than Mohican, American Triple T, or Savageman. If it is a good company that runs a smooth operation from start to finish than I would go with Toughman Series, not saying that Toughman races are not hard just the other three have a ton of climbing and American Triple t is three days long and Savageman 100 is two days different animals.

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http://www.toughmantri.com

https://robinsonsstrengthandendurancecoaching.wordpress.com/

HFP racing in Ohio does a great job of putting on a whole series of events across the whole state. For the most part, they are very well done events (I have a few nitpicks, like not enough timing mats, but overall they do a good job). In some ways, they do a better job than bigger tris...their transition set up is top notch, with individual bike "racks" that you put your rear tire into. No more rickety pipes! The venues aren't spectacular, but there isn't a whole lot to work with in some parts of Ohio. Prices for Olympic distance races are right around $100.

Spot

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___________________________________________________
Taco cat spelled backwards is....taco cat.

X2

Here in the Pacific NW, that would be BuDu Racing.

http://www.buduracing.com

Putting in a plug here for the Pat Griskus Sprint and Olympic distance races. (well, I haven't done the Olympic, but thoroughly enjoyed the sprint when I was tri-touring in New England a couple of years ago), but ST's twilkas puts on these long-standing races and I believe completely understands grass roots triathlon.

Would also have put in the Black Fly Tri festival, but, alas, that weekend is gone. KJ put on some of the best races I've been to, in the pre-WTC days.

If you "really" want grass roots, the Southern Hills Triathlon in South Dakota was awesome. Local, small, affordable.

I find that more and more I don't like the huge production races. Crowded, hassles, expensive.

Racing Underground
-Crescent Moon Sprint and Oly (you can race the double too!)
*Front Range Series consisting of:
-My Way or the Tri Way (can race any order you want but for series points must be s/b/r)
-Evergreen Sprint (sprint racing at 8000', what could be better?)
-Littlefoot Sprint (doubled the last couple of years as the USAT Rocky Mountain Region Talent ID Champs for juniors, some seriously fast teens here)

Without Limits Productions
-Harvest Moon Half (they've got your long course fix on a tough course)
-Summer Open (first race of the CO season, prepare to be cold)
-Oktoberfest (also doubles as the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Conference Race)
-Steamboat Lake sprint and Oly (possibly some of the best views when racing)

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The secret of a long life is you try not to shorten it.
-Nobody

to you and spot: don't overthink this. you guys are thinking really hard, while not answering the question.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

I'm obviously a bit biased, but there are some gems in the Toughman series (current prices):

Toughman Minnesota - $100 for the half. I've done this one, and it's a great course with great support.

Toughman Wisconsin is also $100 for the half.

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

High Peaks Cyclery has a tri series in Lake Placid NY every Monday night. Cost is $15 per race. You get a great course, some great competition, and a really good time. It is like the way triathlons used to be 20+ years ago. Racers raced HARD, and afterwards we all got together to talk, eat, bs. Kind of like a hard track workout. One thing that probably contributes to the good nature of the even is that everyone knows most everyone else, and therefore it stays pretty friendly as is the case with many 'low key' or weekly club races (no one cheats, dopes, or anything like that) . Im not sure why when you have people coming in as strangers that this comradery or 'fun feeling' is oftentimes lost. I would figure that people would put their best foot forward...but this drifts from the original question. Is this kind of event series more along what you were looking for?

Stephen J

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I believe my local reality has been violated.
____________________________________________
Happiness = Results / (Expectations)^2

Beaches 2 Battleship - Wilmington, NC. 70.3/140.6

Ocean sound swim, closed highway bike, and a well spectated run. It's relatively low key, but a great community and run course that brings quite a few people out which makes the atmosphere lively.

Pigman Triathlon - Central Iowa 70.3/Olympic

The most grass roots, probably. It's been going on for quite awhile, and brings out most of the midwest pros.

Quad Cities Triathlon - Davenport, IA Sprint (600yd, 15mi, 5k)

A little biased here - because this was my first race 11 years ago.

It has a decent prize purse for elites, a fun, secluded course. The organization is incredible, very well run. The swim is out and back with lots of buoys to sight off of, practically like swimming with lane lines. The bike is an out and back on a challenging, rolling course where wind is always high on some leg. The run is roughly 1 mi off road (nice gravel), then a challenging rolling course back to the park where you pass all other participants and loads of spectators.

For a race with roughly 500 participants each year, it has an exciting finishing shoot that makes you feel like you're at a much much larger race. The race director a former pro (I believe), and stroke survivor, uses the race for a good but not over the top method of stroke advocacy. Can't really say enough good things about this race.

Bayou City Tri Series - specifically "Kemah Tri" (this is in the Houston area).
Sprint ($90) and Olympic ($140) distance - with the Olympic swim starting with a jump off a paddleboat out in the bay (a la Alcatraz).

There are cheaper events but for the experience I would say this is a good value.

Wildman Duathlon. 10k run. 22.3 mile point to point bike. 3 mile uphill run.



http://wildmanbiathlon.com/


$55 this past year. Gorham, New Hampshire.

Great race, great location, finish line on top of a mountain, and after race meal. It's an epic race. Bike course is harder than Savageman and the final "run" is as hard as it gets as it goes straight up Wildcat Mountain.

Race is getting close to dying, let's inundate Wildman with registrations for next year.

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team website: http://snappletriteam.com/

team blog: http://snappletriteam.com/?page_id=10

My response is from a recent thread about the possibility of an Ironman event in Asheville, NC region, which didn't work out (awarded to Chattanooga instead). I live in the region and race most of these events every year, so this is my bias. But I think you'd have a hard time topping the beauty of these events and cost ($60-75 for sprint, about $100 international and $150 for the half distance). Food is great at each event, I recall free massage after Lake Lure event too.

"If you are looking for open water swims that compare to the beauty of Lake Placid, rolling bike courses with great mountain views and some forested run courses, I have some races to put on your 2016 calendar. Go to North Carolina Triathlon Series through Setup Events. Enka Sprint Triathlon, Lake Logan (sprint, international, half distance), and Lake Lure are great events. Another sleeper event is MTA Lake James Triathlon (not through Setup): awesome 750m swim in a state park, rolling 22 mile bike and a 5k trail run."

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Blog: https://swimbikerunrinserepeat.wordpress.com

It is good to hear that so many people like the Triple-T/Little Smokies. I was planning on doing the Little Smokies next year.

Somebody has to say it, and because it is so close to me, I will, Savageman. Even if you don't want to do the 70, the 30 is a really nice course and a lot of fun.

this

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

I like John Salt and the Barrelman, but I've always thought that his race was on the premium side of things. His price point competes with the WTC as do the amenities.

When I think of grassroots, I think of the Pain in the Alleganies (in Salamanca, NY), the Peasantman (in Penn Yann, NY), or the recently posted America's Half (Richmond, IN).

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Take a short break from ST and read my blog:
http://tri-banter.blogspot.com/

Fly-by-night Duathlon

F1 style duathlon on the Watkins Glen NASCAR track. Starts in the evening and ends (depending on your time) at dusk.

$65 last year

2'ish/10/2'ish/10/2'ish distance

http://flybynightdu.com/

Pigman Triathlon.
One of the best.

http://www.pigmantri.com/

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John F. Martin, Jr.
+1 (614) 403-0567
jfm225@gmail.com

shhhh.

Besides, it doesn't qualify as a tri.

A thousand votes for Savageman. A real homegrown grass roots race started by ST'er kny, and an awesome "festival" weekend atmosphere. It has been taken over by VTS/MTS (formerly SetUp) maybe 2 years ago, but they were able to maintain a lot of the awesomeness about the event instilled by the original creators. There is an Oly option on Saturday, half option on Sunday, or you can be crazy and do them both. The half is insanely brutal, many of my friends say it's more challenging than doing a full IM. The Oly is hilly but not insane. Both on beautiful and interesting courses, the volunteers and spectators are awesome with hilarious signs, sometimes in costume, chasing you up the hills. It has the infamous "Westernport Wall" at 31% grade, and if you make it up while keeping the rubber side down, you get your name on a brick paved into the very hill you conquered. The swim turnaround buoy is a TURTLE water trampoline. Can't miss it.
It offers prize money, not a pro purse, just the top 3 of each gender crossing the line regardless of elite/AG status, age, or political affiliation win the money. It also offers primes, fastest swim, bike, run, and fastest climb up Big Savage Mountain, so a good reason to lay down quick splits if you're an ace in one discipline. They give you ice cream and hot chocolate (it's usually cold) with your finisher's meal, actually useful stuff in your race bag like cycling socks. The race itself is pretty cheap (can't look it up currently) and nearby accommodations are reasonable. We usually group up and book one of the rental homes in walking/biking distance from the start. You can camp in tents or cabins. There are also hotels.
Savageman is one of those races that the tri world would so sorely miss, but at the same time, the registration numbers keep dwindling. I could go on for a while about savagman, but instead will link to a recent thread "Savageman MUST DO RACE":
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=5701257


And just to share some pictures (plus check out videos of the Wall on the FB page):
www.facebook.com/savagemantri/posts/938071419608207

I'll also toss in a vote for Wildflower. Another awesome race with a unique vibe and atmosphere. I have a lot of the same enthusiasm for this one as Savageman, though it's a bit pricier than Savageman from what I can remember. I can't currently look up race entry prices for either race on their websites. Camping at Wildflower is cheap but quite a road trip (or cross country flight, plus road trip in my case) for most. But once you get there, the seclusion is another part of the awesome!

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http://trainingwheelsrequired.wordpress.com
@KellyNCollier

The Buffalo Springs organizers put on an Olympic the day before the 70.3 where you can sign up for $80 if you're 2 months out, but just $85 up to race day. The sprint distance is $65, the kids race is $35-50 depending on advance registration or not. I think the Olympic is a steal.

Xterra Marquette Epic, 2013




No longer held.

^Yep, my latest blog post (link below) shares my experience this year. First time taking on "the double" (sprint and half) but third year racing there, and it has never been anything short of the best race in the northeast. The only race I've done that beats it is Kona, which can't really match up on the "affordable" category.

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Tim Russell, Pro Triathlete

Instagram- @timbikerun

Also, Full Vineman is $337.50 as short as one month out if you register with somebody and get the promo. If you commit by the end of this year, its just $281.25. This may be the best deal in triathlon.

Here in the UK, I'd say that events by "Always Aim High" are excellent value, I've done their Slateman triathlon twice and loved it both times.
They run a handful of different events throughout the year, and the feedback that I've seen on the other events (which I haven't done) has been excellent.

Tris 4 Health puts on two well run and respected races in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.

Grand Rapids Tri (sprint, oly, half)
Michigan Titanium, aka MiTi (oly, half, full).

You can enter a half for as low as $175 and a full for $350. After signing up for IMWI last month I think those are reasonable. Both events are extremely well run and the organizers are very active in the community. The Grand Rapids Tri does a better job of having the big "event" feel.

The Suddenlink Lake Nasworthy Tri in San Angelo Texas. 300yd/10mi/2mi. $20.

It's not a USAT event so for somebody wanting to try a triathlon they will not
have to spring for the one day insurance.

It's extremely grass roots. No timing chip.

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Find out what it is in life that you don't do well, then don't
do that thing.

I did the Vineman AquaBike Full last year. Great organization, volunteer support, etc. They know how to put on a race. I assume the Full distance Tri would also be well supported etc.

"I'll also toss in a vote for Wildflower."

i love this race. it's a classic, and i go to it most years. i question, however, its status as a "value" race. this doesn't mean i consider this any less important a race than ironman. just, i don't consider ironman a value race according to my definition above.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

If/when the demand for high priced tris does fade, triathlon would still be in great shape IMHO if every town had a race series like this. Of course, not every town has the beauty of Lake Placid.

S.O.S, Survival of the Shawangunks, also in New Paltz, NY

Everyone knows it, Don Davis dreamed it up using his training route:

29 mi bike, 5 mile trail run, .9 mile swim, 5 mile run, .5 mile swim. longer run includes Godzilla, shorter swim, 1mile run up the stone stairs to the tower. It's something like that. Then the feast of all feasts at the tables overlooking Lake Mohonk. It's the last of the originals. It's always seemed expensive, but it's always been worth it.

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

I did a bunch of local races that I would consider grass root tri's.

I was unhappy with some of them because of the lack of bike course markings.

A more experienced company would be more likely to not have that issue.

Desert's Edge Triathlon Festival in Fruita, CO put on by Racing Underground

XTerra Fruita on Saturday
Sprint or Olympic on Sunday

Depending on when you register it's $65-100 per race

All based at Highline State Park and you can camp festival style. The campground is about 200 yards from the start/finish.

I did the XTerra this year. Lots of fun.

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Formerly DrD

I don't get around much to very many races, but one I'd like to submit, and I know you've raced it, is the Carlsbad Triathlon. As far as I know, it's still independent of USAT and draws quite a crowd. In the old days, the awards were as funky as could be - wind chimes, coconut shell ukeleles, baoding balls, etc. (They're now just medals, but desktop style with a small propping stand). They also seem to never cancel due to high surf, which is common at Tamarack Surf Beach. It's a short (1k), but difficult swim, a longish (25k), but very open bike course and a rolling 3 mile run. Fun times there.

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Proud member of FISHTWITCH: doing a bit more than fish exercise now.

Another vote for the Triple T. Small, fun, brutal and cheap!

June Lake Tri (eastern Sierra California south of Tahoe) ((for people outside CA))
Grass Roots for sure. Not tons of participants. Very low key. Locally sponsored and run.
Value: good- small price for lots of fun. Difficult and challenging. Sprint, oly, and half IM options. Beautiful course. Tons to do in the area outside the race.
Bad- fairly remote so travel to and fro could cost some.

"Bad- fairly remote so travel to and fro could cost some."

gas! and a few hours driving time. that's all it costs. i love that race. i'm up in the eastern sierras all the time. that's my bike playground.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

Guess you missed the Graniteman challenge a few weeks back.
Friday: 2.4 mile swim in June lake(turned out more like 3miles)
Saturday: eastern Sierra century
Sunday: Tioga pass run
Great fun!
I'm going back next year

yeah. well. that's a little rich for my blood. i would have spent a lot of time backstroking. it's hard swimming 3mi at 8000'.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

+1 for Wildflower
Auburn tri - oly & half
Vineman full/Barb's Race
Monte Rio
Marin County tri
Big Blue Adventure - Donner Lake half, Lake Tahoe half
Alcatraz by TriCal or Escape from the Rock by Envirosports version (if ever come back)
HITS Series with early registration pricing
USAProductions
Santa Cruz tri - sprint/oly
Santa Barbara tri
TBF Racing

River Cities Tri in Shreveport La. A longer sprint, 750 yd OWS, 18 mile bike and 5 K. 95.00 entry fee and at least 100.00 worth of swag. Last year a transition backpack, tech T, Long sleeved T, sunglasses and a running hat. In it's 35th year.

A biased view as I am the owner and RD for the ATC Endurance Triathlons in Upstate NY. A series of three sprint and intermediate distance races all starting at $65 each, or register for all three for only $180! Races and dates are as follows, go to http://www.atcendurance.com for all the pertinent information

Saturday June 4, 2016: Cooperstown Sprint Triathlon at Glimmerglass State Park (yes, the Baseball HOF Cooperstown). Really nice early season test in a stunning NYS Park. Post race festivities are sponsored by one of the best microbreweries in the nation Brewery Ommegang!

Saturday July 16, 2016: Delta Lake Sprint, Intermediate, and Delta Double Triathlon. Super flat and fast triathlon in Central NY. For an extra challenge, do the sprint race first, then get right back in and do the intermediate race. We call it the Delta Double. Not every challenge has an M dot attached to it!

Sunday August 14, 2016: Old Forge Triathlon in the souther Adirondacks. This is about 1.5 hours from the mecca of Lake Placid and still in the mountains. The best part here is a FREE entry to Enchanted Forest Water Safari (NYS largest water theme park and named one of the 20 best in the US).

I'd say we are as grassroots as they come. Races are between 200-400 athletes per race, low race fees, free photo downloads, great shirts by made in the USA company Atayne and more!

Our best rates begin on Black Friday and we'd love to see some ST folks come out!

Mike Brych, President
ATC Endurance
atcendurance@gmail.com

Also in San Angelo, Texas is the Goodfellow Air Force Base Triathlon $25 for a sprint that's 400 meter open water swim/ 20k bike/.5k run.

There's also a third triathlon in San Angelo a couple of weeks later. A super sprint, sprint and an Olympic.
These are very affordable too but a bit more than $20 or $25.

I think San Angelo also has a running event that's like $3.

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Find out what it is in life that you don't do well, then don't
do that thing.

SOS is really AMAZING - but, it's hardly a "value" event in terms of cost/hour, or whatever.
It's like the most expensive HIM, ever.

In terms of experience/cost - it's priceless.

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float , hammer , and jog

Definitely Triple T. Did it last year and going back next year. Such a unique event, what a blast.

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_____________________
Don't forget to attack!

Chelanman in Lake Chelan, WA. $170 half, $75 international, $65 sprint.

+1 for the Evergreen Sprint. Swim in a mountain lake, some awesome climbs, stunning scenery. Oh...and watch out for all the elk along the way.

Two great triathlons in Cayman, genuinely affordable/open to locals without a lot of cash to drop on a race.

The Olympic-distance and sprint tris, in early November - $75 for the Olympic.
http://www.triathlon.ky/cayman-triathlon/triathlon-overview

And then, even more amazingly, the Mercuryman half (with aquabike option): earlybird registration is $160 for the half, $135 for the aquabike.
http://mercurymantri.com/


Amazing volunteers make this possible. Both are great races!

I've done SOS a few times, I love it (probably my favorite race ever, it's wonderful in every respect). But though it's grass roots, I don't think it's "value" in the sense the question asks for - registration is $450.

The Scott Tinley Adventures at Lake Lopez, just outside of Pismo Beach/San Louis Obispo area. Sprint, Oly, LC (1.5/50/9.3) kids races and mountain bike races as well. Scott Tinley is there racing most every year, too.

The course is tough, kinda like a mini Wildflower, but very low key atmosphere. And you can make a weekend trip out of it in Pismo to boot!

For me, here in Godzone (NZ), the best race is also the best value.

the Rotorua 1/2 IM in...Rotorua is epic. I've done it a bunch of times and it will hurt you. Every year 'Hooksie" (Shane Hooks) the RD finds new and painful ways to give you more misery, pain and suffering than last year. I haven't checked this years prices but for early bird about NZD $100 (about USD$75) you get an epically great race. $200 for late entry, with a goodie bag too!

Swim is in the crystal clear, dead calm Blue Lake.
Bike is up hill in both directions, on rough roads but has incredibly beautiful scenery of native NZ bush. Wind (the head type) can be an issue returning on the bike. The bike finishes with a ball buster hill for several kilometres. Often, near the bottom of said hill, there is a sign "prepare to meet Jesus". He isn't kidding.
The run is mostly off road on trails or forestry roads/tracks and you guessed it, features monstrous hills, matched only by the incredible views. the finish is on a dry sand and the only relief is the ice cold beer you get handed as you cross the finish line.

He used to give big bottles of bourbon as prizes. The winner used to get a life sized stuffed animal (no cash), but then changed to 'win your weight in beer'. Past winners include Keiran Doe and Terenzo Bozone (when he was too young to be allowed the beer prize). It became legendary for the after parties, but they got a bit out of hand and now he's made it more family friendly. It's still awesome and well worth doing at least once in your life.

I'm not connected with the event in any way but www.half.co.nz will get you information if you're considering coming down this way.

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TriDork

"Happiness is a myth. All you can hope for is to get laid once in a while, drunk once in a while and to eat chocolate every day"

If your an elite AG athlete, Pigman in Iowa probably that the deepest field in the world proportional to participants, other than 70.3 WC. It has an open elite wave and you get to race many regional pros head to head. 2 pros that have raced the event in the last 3 years are in Kona this year.

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TrainingBible Coaching
http://www.trainingbible.com

I did the sprint distance at Blue Lake and really enjoyed it. Everyone I have talked to that has done that event has enjoyed it. We are spoiled here in NZ with all the Tri and adventure event options. Our local Triathlon club in New Plymouth puts on a sprint triathlon series every summer. For a flat fee under $100 you get into every event for the season. Most are ocean swims with the odd pool or lake swim for variety. Also a local splash and dash series during in the summer for those after a short event after work.

The first tri I ever competed in is a small local race run by a RD that also ran the swimming program that helped me get started in this sport. The adult race (which I still do and enjoy) has dwindled in numbers. There is a youth race that follows this event with kids of all ages, some of the older kids will even race in the adult race and then again in the youth race... anyways it is great event with some great young athletes down to little kids on single speeds with streamers on their handlebars w/ Barbie helmets. I get done with my race and then volunteer for this event... I don't see many youth events, this is a good one run by someone passionate about the sport. I feel bad that is adult races aren't doing well, but I'll do them every year as long as they're around... $50 or less is my out of pocket for this one.

In SC / NC, SetupEvents offers incredible value, especially with early registration prices: typically <$150 for a half, <$80 for an olympic distance, and <$60 for a sprint tri, and you can often get a discount through partners. Even race day registration is significantly less than WTC, Challenge and Rev3.

Western NC is my favorite place to race, with Enka Tri in Candler NC (just outside Asheville) and the Lake Logan festival with half, olympic and sprint distances. In the upstate, Clemson is a favorite, and the TryCharleston half is a great early season race.

Really enjoyed the Tri Tyler Half (Tyler, Tx). 1.2mi Swim/62mi Bike/ 13.1mi Run. Sponsored by Cobb. Small race, but well run and organized.

Peasantman in NY. 300 bucks for the full in advance, I think 400 after. The lake is super clean, 4 x 29 mile loops on the bike on scenic roads and the volunteers were great. I was there for the inaugural in 2013 and will be back this August. The RD and company really did all they could to make it a great day.

I didn't read this entire thread but I do know Beach to Battleship has been mentioned. I'll mention it again with some supporting details:

1. At $390 (full distance) for the early bird pricing, there shouldn't be much argument that this is a great value.
2. You get the "big race" atmosphere considering that close to 2,000 athletes race with the half & full combined

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Also totally biased as an RD but we do a Louisiana Triathlon sprint in May that was $45 this year (race day registration is higher). We do a half in November (River Roux) for $150 starting registration (you get shirt/bottle/hat/beach towel swag and a great course) and this year if you registered for Roux early you raced the La Tri for free - $150 total for a half and a sprint. Since we are a nonprofit we intentionally try to lower barriers to entry to our events, including entry costs. I assume this discussion is focused on monetary value but we do a woman only series that offers very lost cost swim clinics with the area swim programs ($20 all fee goes to the pool/swim program), free training plans online, and our bike sponsor offers free group rides every saturday for 7-8 weeks leading up to each race (supported ride on the race course). The total value for those event, if you include the training support, is pretty high.

S

Deuces Wild triathlon festival in Arizona

I'm surprise that the Door County WI Sprint and Half hasn't been mentioned yet.

An extremely well run race, awesome setting, not too expensive and has been able to survive (and prosper) with a IM70.3 (Racine) a hundred miles away on the same day.

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"Good genes are not a requirement, just the obsession to beat ones brains out daily"...the Griz

- Musselman - Geneva, NY (1/2 iron + sprint distance): I've only done the 1/2. The race is extremely well run with lots of swag. The community support is huge. This is an area that appreciates how the race brings in visitors.

- Fronhoffer Tool Tri - Cambridge, NY - Olympic distance. This is a nice local race with proceeds to benefit a charity. I've done this tri more than any other, and I've never been disappointed. The swag is surprisingly great, and they always have a kick ass raffle after the race.

- Tupper Lake Tinman 1/2 - Tupper Lake, NY - This is now owned by Toughman, but I still consider it grass roots. This was another race with really strong support from the residents.

- Already mentioned in previous posts = American Zofingen Duathlon - There is no other race with a higher suffering to dollar ratio. It's an incredible experience that everyone should attempt. Very Scenic, very difficult, very cool party (going on in the Gazeebo throughout the race - as you run through the Gazebo on the run loop).

In New Zealand we really are spoiled for choice for events.

Open water series (one in Auckland, one nationally) plus the Takapuna beach series (variety of events), tris of various lengths, off road tri's, heaps of fun run and fun ride events, multisport, off road and ultra running. There really is something for everyone, regardless of what version of multi discipline sport you do, regardless of what area you live in and even what day of the week you prefer to race and what age you are (I'm thinking Weet-bix kids tri series).

It really is fantastic with a capital F, here in New Zealand.

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TriDork

"Happiness is a myth. All you can hope for is to get laid once in a while, drunk once in a while and to eat chocolate every day"

I think two of the Piranha Sports races are pretty nice. The diamond in the rough tri in Perryville, MD has a very nice bike. Rollers, 6 miles of flats then a big climb up away from the river. The run is nice enough, through the waterfront property of a VA hospital.

The cascade lake tri is small, but has a pretty rural and definitely challenging sprint distance bike. Swim is in a private lake, run is next to a farm.

Both are good values if you get in early, if you wait til the week before the prices do get pretty steep.

Thanks for the heads-up, Travis. I've never done or seriously considered the Toughman races before, but now I'm in for 2 next year.

+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.