I was going to suggest the Pigman in Iowa but I then I figured out NE does not stand for Nebraska

Thanks...and sorry. By NE I meant Northeast, preferably New England, as you guessed.

Victor

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Tupper Lake Half Ironman (www.tupperlakeinfo.com). Crappy website, but great event.

Dev

I have done Musselman and endorse it as a great race, nice spot to mix in a vacation (NY Wine country), cheap if you stay in the athlete village (college dorms), great course, etc. Did it once and will for sure be participating next year (too close to IMLP this year).

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Proud Member of the Guru Cartel, EH?

I will also endorse Musselman. Without any doubt, far and away the best race I've ever done. Great for a weekend with the family or others - sprint race, kids race, and this year they'll have an ITU race as well. And you can tour some of hte wineries, which are nice. Bike course is quite scenic. It's a decently challenging course as well.
tom

Also, note the nutmeg state half is a brand new event. I do'nt know if the organizer(s) have put on other races in the past.

You should change the title to "Best Half Iron Distance in the NE besides Timberman"

C'mon, drink the kool aid and sign up for Timberman. You can get $125 back if you cancel by July 1, but why not sign up now? There is a reason it is filling so quickly...

I did Firm Man in Narragansett, RI this past August and thought it was a solid race... organization, course, etc. Awesome venue right there at Narragansett Beach -- overall, I thought it was very well done. I can't compare it to any other NE races though as I'm from FL.

http://www.firm-racing.com

Good luck.

Don't forget about Mooseman on the first weekend of June. I was there this year and will be back in 2007, great race (www.endorfunsports.com). I also did the Vermont Sun in 2006. Fun race, except for the torrential rains for the entire race. The amount of water on the bike course was just plain silly. Good race, though.

-C

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

I did Firmman also, but it was not in the same universe as musselman. Devilman in NJ in the spring was better than firmman, but again not close to musselman.

I'm VERY biased, but Mooseman or Timberman would be a great choice:)
We've got some big things that are going to make the events even better this year...

The Koolaid even tastes better here:)

Tupper Lake and Musselman are both great.

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2015 American Zofingen Du is May 17.
R.I.P. Chris Gleason

Timberman and Mooseman are far and away the best, I don't think either are sold out as of today? After those there is a gap, but then Musselman is really nice and would be my next choice. I think Jeff Henderson makes improvements there every year and this year he is bringing an ITU race...cool town also.

VTSun is a nice small race, closer to a "local" long-course race. Lots and lots of turn-arounds on the bike though and one brutal section on the run that most people are reduced to a strong hike.

Devilman has the most disgusting, gross swim in the history of triathlon.

Neither are full yet. Timberman has about 150 spots left, and Mooseman has about 250 left....

I've only done Timberman, which I agree with the majority that it's a great race.

Check out the Patriot Half (http://www.patriothalf.com). It's new this year and is July 1st. From what I hear, it's being put on by the makers of the Cranberry Country Tri which is a great race, so the patriot should be pretty good too. Plus, it's the only half in Mass!

Thanks all for the input.

I leaning towards Musselman, but haven't rulled out Timberman. Musselman will fit into my schedule better (I have two daughters who will have birthdays the weekend of Timberman) and it is early enough that I can recover and still race later in the season. Price seems more reasonable as well, but then its only money.

Victor

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I'd agree, if it was my child's birthday, I wouldn't do Timberman...
We get pretty caught up in this tri stuff, but Family IS ALWAYS more important. I've heard nothing but good things about Musselman. Enjoy!

How is the Mooseman? I signed up for Timberman 2007 but still wondering about Mooseman?

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Trying to find ways to pass the time.

I liked Firmman myself, the ocean swim is cool and the run course is nice. Its super cheap and you can sign up race day. I have done Mooseman and Timberman, and will be doing them again, although the fee is ridiculously way to high for the race. Remember Firm is a 4 person company, who does not pay "volunteers" and gives over 50% of profits to local charities. Another benefit to Firmman is the hotels to not require a 2night stay like they do in NH.

Mooseman is a great course, with a swim in pristine Newfound Lake, one of the 10 cleanest lakes in the US. It's quite a bit smaller than Timberman (as the venue is smaller), and the site is rustic compared to Lake Winnipesaukee. Quiet country roads....fairly challenging bike course. We like it...:) Run is along the lake, by the Granite Ledges....

Have done the Tupper Lake 5 times, did Mooseman last year. Have had athletes do both Timberman & Mussleman. All are well run races, but I have to give KJ props for the way he runs his races. Of these 4 listed, here is my order:

#1: Mooseman
#2: Timberman
#3: Mussleman
#4: Tupper Lake

It sounds like you need to pick which one fits best into your training & schedule! Good Luck!

Just as an FYI, after the VT Sun race the RD said that he was trying to move the race two weeks later, to the weekend after labor day. He said that it would almost definitely happen.

-C

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

The Moose was a blast. Fabulously clear lake, it was the first time I could really see other swimmers in the water. The bike course was great. Challenging, yes, but also has the potential to be very fast. I didn't use my race wheels because of all the mud in transition, but the course is absolutely made for a speed machine. Long fairly shallow decents where you can really take advantage of aero toys. Run was two loops with a few good hills each lap. Aid stations and spectators were great. Great swag bag, with the best race shirt I've ever gotten. The thing I liked the most was as soon as you crossed the line, a volunteer handed you a Mooseman bottle and a Mooseman towel. I thought that was classy.

-C

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

Having done most of the HIM's in the NE I can say hands down Timberman is the funnest, best course, safest, well run, best awards, best pre/post race of any of the races named.

Keith has done, on a small budget, what IMNA/WTC have done with M-Dot races. Yes, we can all whine about IMNA/WTC but it seems we all continue signing up for their races, at a record pace, e.g. IM Kentucky.

Keith's attention to detail is unsuprassed. The location is outstanding. Just a great race to do. Aid stations on the run are some of the best I have seen, even given M-Dot races.

Peace out!

I would vote Harriman the best. Firmman is also a really good race. I did a slightly less than 1/2 IM on the Vermont Sun course and it was also a great race.

Thanks. Where should I send your check????:)
We've got some great additions for 2007. We spend alot of time trying to come up with ways to outdo ourselves each year...that's the REALLY fun part for us....

Victor-

The Northeast clique' is alive and strong !

I've done Musseman-VT Half- and Timberman. They're all good races.

Timberman- I'll join the Keith Jordan Love-Fest and say its one of the best damn races bar-none ! I put it right up there with Ironman USA.

The area is as ideal as it gets for the family in-tow weekend warrior. Lots of stuff to do for the wife & kids.
Challenging,but fair bike course, great run along the lakeshore. Can't wait to do it again.
Parking can be an issue if you don't get to Elacoya early enough!

Musselman is what I would call a PR course. Fast & Flat. The only caveat is that by the run it gets really hot & humid....so if you're acclimated and can eat / hydrate well on the bike you'll be fine....something I didn't do in 05.

I'll most likely be there this year as a dress rehearsal for LP.

The Vermont Sun 1/2- Great swim, bike course is fast,but too many turns, and this years Monsoon rain was surreal .
Did not care for the run course at all,nothing to look at or inspire you.

I do applaud the RD's efforts though as I've done a few of his races and kudos to him for giving us another choice of races close by.


Cheers !

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Seeing him in deep torment, I said. " You can have my last GU , but its been down my pants for most of the run". - John Hirsch

Take care of your body, its by far the coolest thing you're going to ever own.- Can't remember who told me this, but I love it.

[reply]Just as an FYI, after the VT Sun race the RD said that he was trying to move the race two weeks later, to the weekend after labor day. He said that it would almost definitely happen.

-C[/reply]

It's on September 9.

http://www.vermontsun.com/triathlon.html

You're doing LP again? Cool. Looks like the ironman bug got you afterall, eh? But isn't Musselman the same day? What would be one hell of a dress rehersal.

-C

P.S. Howz that bike?

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

Well, it's not the advice that you were looking for, but there's also a brand new 1/2 in Mass, the Patriot.

http://www.patriothalf.com/

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Seeing him in deep torment, I said. " You can have my last GU , but its been down my pants for most of the run". - John Hirsch

Take care of your body, its by far the coolest thing you're going to ever own.- Can't remember who told me this, but I love it.

If you want very late summer and don't mind taking a ferry , you might consider the MontauK Mightyman the first week of October. Montauk is on Triathlete magazines top 10 triathlon towns list ( had to do a double take to make sure it wasn't a list for best fishing towns). The course is challenging but VERY scenic, still a smaller sized event but competitive.

Did you stay in the athlete village at musselman? I am going to do this race + my friend and I are going to stay in the dorms. just wondering how it was?

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Check out my IMLP Janus Charity Challenge Page
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Raising Funds for Myeloma Research in Honor of my Mom

I second moosman. I did the inagural event as my first HIM and it was awesome. Hot as balls, but awesome. One of the cleanest lakes you will ever swim in. If you want an incredible view, i recommend the coppertop lodge.

Hey Hey -

I was waiting to announce my new races to y'all but it seems I've been outed!

While the Nutmeg State 1/2 Iron is a new race, it is one race in a series, branching off of a race that has been running for 7 years.

I am an experienced athlete, Iron(wo)maner and I promise you all a killer race!

My website is under major construction right now and the new one will be unveiled soon, but for basic info, check out:

www.endureitmultisports.com

Rock on.

I did Musselman last year and it was a great race. Loved it. Would recommend it. Also did Timberman twice and that was by far the best race i've ever done. I will be doing Mooseman this year for the first time and would highly recommend any of Keiths races (and stop by his families home made ice cream shops... made a great pre race meal last year stuffing my face with lots of homemade ice cream.. yum). Also have done Tupper twice, it is put on well but I thought Musselman was organized better.

Also there is that Patriot half this year supposedly put on by the same people that do Cranberry Country. It is the first year for the Patriot half but the cranberry country tri was put on very well. So that is something to think about if the timeframe works out better.

I did stay in the "athlete village" (dorms) at Musselman and enjoyed it. The campus is easy to find, right on the run course and right across the street from Wegman's grocery store. Obviously its not a 4-star hotel, its a typical college dorm, but perfect for the intended purpose.

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Proud Member of the Guru Cartel, EH?