I think it's interesting to see the reaction any time there is a change (or proposed change) to the course in Kona. People (myself included) love the tradition of IM Hawaii, and want it to stay "as it was then". But which "then" are you talking about? Mac, for example, bemoans the removal of the "the Pit" from the course. However, the Pit wasn't even in the course not too many years ago. Nor was the Natural Energy Lab - we used to just run up the Queen K to a turnaround and then head back to town. Then the course went past the NEL before entering it on the way back to town. there have been a couple variations to the bike course as well; I like the turnaround in Hawi much better now that we don't have to go over the tire rippers in that family's front yard (ask Mark Allen how it was in '88) And most recently the changes instituted in 2001 to both the bike and run.
I did 2001, and the changes were certainly more "spectator friendly". Addtionally, I felt like the change to the bike course - specifically adding the long climb up the Kuakini Highway, spread the riders out early in the race, and made for less crowding even before the airport. I watched from the roadside this past year, and appreciated even more the spectator-friendly nature of the changes.
As for wave starts, I'm all for it, so long as I'm in one of the first waves - I'd just as soon get as far down the Queen K as possible before the winds kick up. 2001 is still too fresh in my mind. ;^)
While I have my issues with the WTC, and don't believe they always think things through, I can't imagine they're insensitive enough to make changes that will ultimately ruin the race entirely. I certainly hope they won't, and I'm willing to take a 'wait-and-see' attitude for now. Nostalgia aside, maybe we'll end up with something we can all appreciate, and the WTC can make some money along the way.
"...like every writer, he measured other men's virtues by what they had accomplished, yet asked that other men measure him by what he planned someday to do."
I did 2001, and the changes were certainly more "spectator friendly". Addtionally, I felt like the change to the bike course - specifically adding the long climb up the Kuakini Highway, spread the riders out early in the race, and made for less crowding even before the airport. I watched from the roadside this past year, and appreciated even more the spectator-friendly nature of the changes.
As for wave starts, I'm all for it, so long as I'm in one of the first waves - I'd just as soon get as far down the Queen K as possible before the winds kick up. 2001 is still too fresh in my mind. ;^)
While I have my issues with the WTC, and don't believe they always think things through, I can't imagine they're insensitive enough to make changes that will ultimately ruin the race entirely. I certainly hope they won't, and I'm willing to take a 'wait-and-see' attitude for now. Nostalgia aside, maybe we'll end up with something we can all appreciate, and the WTC can make some money along the way.
"...like every writer, he measured other men's virtues by what they had accomplished, yet asked that other men measure him by what he planned someday to do."