My understanding is the swim and bike course will be different. Some of the swim will be upstream. Bike course will be harder.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Last I heard was that the initial Championship courses would be released in January, IIRC what Brian the RD said.

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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

I was wondering the exact same thing! I am racing both races next year and was hoping the venue was the same at least.?

I've read multiple times that the WC course in Chattanooga will NOT be the same as the 70.3 course in May. Supposedly, the WC course will have a more difficult bike and run. Only the RD knows for sure

We are working on finalizing those courses now. Im still shooting for January to release the maps. Tentatively swim, bike and run will all be different.

Brian

I'm sure transition and IM Village will be at Ross's Landing still.

Such a great venue. Parked at the hotel and didn't drive all weekend for the 70.3 in May.

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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

No guarantees on the venue stuff either... expo could move and may have two transitions...

endurathonrd wrote:

No guarantees on the venue stuff either... expo could move and may have two transitions...

The way it's setup now, it's so nice logistically. It would be a bummer if I had to drive out to transition to drop off my bike (or retrieve afterward). Walking from the hotel to everything is sweet. #keepchattanoogagreat

Have you looked at this possible swim course (starting on Ross's landing side instead, and obviously one loop)?




Unless, of course, you are planning on going straight downstream. Then forget you ever saw this.

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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

Any idea of when the accommodations will become available for booking?

Swimming upstream will be the coolest. I am super jealous!

Lol........... yes- in which case, forget!

jerkstore 😉

After dealing with 2 transitions in NC this weekend I'd have to agree. Cabo wasn't a big deal but the traffic in Wilmington sucks. I love how easy IM Chatt is and it's also great for family to spectate.

Swim start and finish likely at Ross's landing if weather cooperates. Will have alternate course ready if it doesn't. Transition decision is based on timelines and getting men loaded in at a decent hour. Lots to work through. Should be a swim, bike, and run worthy of the race designation...

You've done well with the 70.3/140.6 so I'm looking forward to what you have planned.

That parking lot at Ross's landing is huge. I'm sure it can worked out for a single transition. (Men's Bike check 4p-7p?) Not exactly how sure Austria did it, but they had the regular 70.3 on Saturday and the WC on Sunday. #keepchattanoogagreat

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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

Hotel recommendations close enough to walk to transition for 70.3 in May? Thanks

In Zell, if I remember rightly they had the racking on the usual football field. There was 2 areas one for the standard 70.3 and the other half for the WC.
They used the same tents and bag racks, WC competitors racked in the afternoon of the standard race. As standard competitors removed their kit the WC athletes went in.

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It's only impossible if you stop to think about it.

I like the Hilton Garden Inn (311 Chestnut), it's only two blocks. The Courtyard and Residence Inn are closer.

But really you can walk from all the hotels down Chestnut Street: Hampton, Doubletree, and the new Holiday Inn. Springhill Suites is a little more of a hike down Riverfront Parkway and not near the restaurants.

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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

Hamilton Place hotels too far out?
If not, which specific one would be best?

That's about a 20 min drive to the race site. Just depends on what you want to do. I like being able to walk to everything, as very few races I do, that's even an option. Obviously the hotels downtown are quite a bit more ($225 to $300 per night).

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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

I saw that the May race sold out already. Is that usually the case?

Yes. They've only had it 2 years, but sold out both years. Not sure how quickly it has sold out previously.

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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

The inaugural race sold out on the first day it opened. Last year it was open for a couple months kind of like this year. I have raced it both years. Chattanooga is a great host city and the course is lots of fun. Atlanta is a little over an hour south so you have a lot of people that sign up quickly with it so close to home.