Got this email today from VTS/MTS. Sad -- this was on my bucket list, only for the reason that it was so difficult. Was planning on doing it several years ago but could not due to injury. The tough bike course was this race, don't see how changing it is going to increase participation.
SavageMan 60: The all new SavageMan 60 consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 50.0 mile bike, and a 10 mile run. For 11 years the SavageMan Triathlon has been internationally renowned and garnering the top spot on triathlon bucket lists largely due to the extreme difficulty and amazing beauty of the SavageMan 70 bike course. We are incredibly reluctant to make any changes to this iconic race, and particularly to its bike course. However, participation has been dwindling and if the event is to be sustained changes are necessary, so we have come up with the new SavageMan 60 which keeps all of the flavor, all of the beauty (and more!) and much of the challenge of the SavageMan 70 while reducing the distance and extremity of the race just slightly.
On the bike, the Westernport Wall - and the tradition of bricks in the wall for those who clear it cleanly - continue with the SavageMan 60. The 7 mile, 2000+' slog up Big Savage Mountain also remains. Gone, however, are the repeated blows of 0.5 - 1.0 mile 10-15+% grades on McAndrews Hill, Otto Lane, Killer Miller, Maynardier Ridge, replaced by an 8 mile flat, aerobar-friendly dragstrip alongside Savage River and a 3.1 mile, 1100' climb up the incredible Dry Run Rd. Yes, it's a shame to lose the sawtooth profile of the repeated steep climbs and descents of the back half of the SavageMan 70 course, but Savage River and Dry Run Rd are truly something special and need to be experienced to be understood.
On the run, 3 miles is shed off the distance to reduce it to a 10 mile run, but the challenge remains as the legendary Fire Tower Rd and the top of the Campground Loop remain in use.
SavageMan 60: The all new SavageMan 60 consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 50.0 mile bike, and a 10 mile run. For 11 years the SavageMan Triathlon has been internationally renowned and garnering the top spot on triathlon bucket lists largely due to the extreme difficulty and amazing beauty of the SavageMan 70 bike course. We are incredibly reluctant to make any changes to this iconic race, and particularly to its bike course. However, participation has been dwindling and if the event is to be sustained changes are necessary, so we have come up with the new SavageMan 60 which keeps all of the flavor, all of the beauty (and more!) and much of the challenge of the SavageMan 70 while reducing the distance and extremity of the race just slightly.
On the bike, the Westernport Wall - and the tradition of bricks in the wall for those who clear it cleanly - continue with the SavageMan 60. The 7 mile, 2000+' slog up Big Savage Mountain also remains. Gone, however, are the repeated blows of 0.5 - 1.0 mile 10-15+% grades on McAndrews Hill, Otto Lane, Killer Miller, Maynardier Ridge, replaced by an 8 mile flat, aerobar-friendly dragstrip alongside Savage River and a 3.1 mile, 1100' climb up the incredible Dry Run Rd. Yes, it's a shame to lose the sawtooth profile of the repeated steep climbs and descents of the back half of the SavageMan 70 course, but Savage River and Dry Run Rd are truly something special and need to be experienced to be understood.
On the run, 3 miles is shed off the distance to reduce it to a 10 mile run, but the challenge remains as the legendary Fire Tower Rd and the top of the Campground Loop remain in use.