They got rid of a pretty lame (imo) section on Limerick and along the highway where you'd be frying in the sun for quite a bit. This actually gets rid of 2 slightly less "sizeable" but still climbs at the end of the previous version of the loop. Imo, a change that will make the race slightly more manageable mentally.

I saw this today as well. I'm guessing they don't have enough volunteers to manage all the aid stations for a two loop course, so three loops cuts back on the number of aid stations.

I prefer fewer loops on the run courses (mostly because I'm super slow and having to go back to the finish line twice to hear other people finishing is mentally taxing) but what can you do.

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doctorironman.blogspot.com |

On the plus, I will get to see my SO an extra time which will be pretty nice (and does help to combat the depression of having to pass the finish an extra time). We will probably also have an additional opportunity to access run special needs if we want.

A shorter loop will also put more people out there with us which is always a bit more inspiring. I'm not overly upset about it.

A general reply to the thread

Although the course eliminates the hill on Los Amigos you have the hills on Eastside Rd. and extra time and one more time up the hill on Windsor River Rd. It will actually add a bit more elevation gain (small amount) to the course.

It does help consolidate volunteers and CHP etc. (will also ease some pressure of traffic back up on Old Redwood Hwy

It's great for spectators and for us announcers ;-)

The turn around won;t be within site of the finish line if that helps anyones brain ;-)

Have a great race week ...

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Dave Latourette
http://www.TTENation.com

I think it's always been 3 loops. At least it was in 2012..

The 2015 run course is completely different than in the past. It overlaps some of the roads on the bike course now. It looks like the run turnaround is where the bike turnaround used to be on Eastside.

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Janyne

Hey Gang ...

The original course for 2016 was a double out and back on 100% different roads than previous Vineman events ... a change was made yesterday to 3 laps (still on the same 100% different roads than previous years) ... the turn around is on OLD REDWOOD, a 2+ miles beyond where old bike out and back was.

Should be a pretty good course actually

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Dave Latourette
http://www.TTENation.com

Dave - Thanks for your input on these forums. It's really awesome when race directors of big events come on and answer direct questions like this here. You and Dave C. (Boulder), have been great with this.

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New Training/Racing Log - http://www.earthdaykid.com/blog --- Old Training/Racing Log - http://colinlaughery.blogspot.com

Thanks BUT ... so happy i'm not the RD (just a race announcer - who happens to be well informed ;-)

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Dave Latourette
http://www.TTENation.com

Even better Dave. I think I knew that. Thanks none the less! Looking forward to getting out there tomorrow.

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New Training/Racing Log - http://www.earthdaykid.com/blog --- Old Training/Racing Log - http://colinlaughery.blogspot.com