Wow, wouldn't this significantly impact the Steelhead participation? It would about the same time of race calendar and a little farther north but still pulling the same midwest crowd.

---

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202

3.5 hours farther north and I guarantee the lodging is going to be twice as much and book up twice as fast.

---

2019 T-Rex Tri Series

If the city agrees to it, my guess is that Steel Head will be discontinued.

Much further for the Chicagoland crowd. That being said, I expect it will still get plenty of participants. There has been quite the buzz in our local clubs this morning!

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

That would be a shame. Steelhead is such a great race! Just like Raleigh was (I know the city pretty much ruined that one) & B2B full.

Is there a trend here?

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I think there's room for both, although it will hurt Steelhead numbers. I doubt it will hurt as much as the cancelled swims did. I could see Steelhead as a Chicago/Midwest race and TC as more of a destination race. It would be nice if there was a little more time between the 2 to make it easier to do both. Maybe Steelhead moves a few weeks earlier.

I love that area and will be first in line when registration opens. I'll be up there this weekend for Cherry-Roubaix.

Thats a great area. Guarantees a wetsuit swim and a flatish bike. Fantastic choice for IM.

Given when they want to operate this race, it seems like a direct shot at Michigan Titanium in Grand Rapids to me. Which is a shame -- it's a fantastic independent race.

We've vacationed up there several times. Most mornings, the water is smooth as glass. It's super clear, too. I love open water swimming in the bay. This venue might be the one that encourages me to step up to the HIM distance.

As for lodging, it seems the season starts to tail off mid-August. There might be some deals to be found the late in the summer, especially on Airbnb

---

"They're made of latex, not nitroglycerin"

The article specifically addresses why they chose that weekend. Hard to believe they would value hurting a small independent race 100 miles away more that finding a time frame that works with the local resources. I doubt MiTi is even on their radar. If that were the intent, I think they would have gone after the GR Tri.

It makes sense to have a 70.3 up there, and the logic makes sense as kids have been going back to school earlier around here and I'm sure the tourism dollars have dropped a bit in late August, but my first thought is that it might be a shot at MiTi. Steelhead 2 weeks before, then MiTi, the 70.3 TC... that's a lot of races in a short time frame. Also, didn't 3D put on a 70.3 up there this year, maybe in July?

I think this will pull a somewhat different crowd than Steelhead. As someone else mentioned, lots of IL people come up for Steelhead. The other thing that people don't always realize is how many people fly in from out of state, New York especially, or so I've been told. They can fly into Traverse City and have a nice house on a lake for a heck of a lot less than they can do so in NY.

MITI allready dropped the hammer with picking their date so close to Steelhead to begin with didn’t they.

And it wouldn’t be the first time IM did something like this, they have history doing the same thing with the Challenge brand globally I believe. The odd thing is they would also be cannibalizing off themselves with Steelhead.

This would be awesome if they moved it to TC. Its only 40 minutes from the house and an awesome place to ride. They have a tri up there now that does sprint to Olympic distances in July, they used to have the half, but stopped last year or the year before.

I don't know - we may have a different definition of flatish here in the southern part of the state, but I'd expect some roll and some hills. I guess I've only driven in the Leelanau, but it doesn't strike me as a fast course. Beautiful for sure, but not fast like a Muncie or even Steelhead.

I'd expect a wetsuit swim a well, but it might not be guaranteed. Steelhead was non-wetsuit legal two years ago.

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

If they go out and back on the Leelanau Trail it'll be faster than Steelhead. There are, like, three false flats on that trail, AND it's closed to traffic. But remains to be seen what the course is!

Is that part of the TART? The sections I’ve been on in town were pretty narrow, but no idea about that way.

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

The tri up there now uses the roads out in cherry/apple farm country

That would be my guess, something pretty close to the Cherry-Roubaix routes. Straight north toward Sutton's Bay would be fairly flat. If it goes more west, it could be pretty hilly. I'm not sure the trail is wide enough for any significant portion of the race.

Bayshore Marathon course up the Old Mission Peninsula for the run could be completely flat. Article says Front street would be closed for the finish line, I like it.

My 1 and only Steelhead to date!

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

This is hilarious:

"...with each race participant boasting an annual average household income of $247,000..."

I grew up in Michigan and spent every summer as a kid in Northport which is at the top of the Leelanau penninsula. I also have ridden up there a bunch, it rolls a little but it is flat based on my perspective now. I seriously doubt there are any sustained climbs that go up or down more than 100 feet.

You'd be surprised on the hills you can find in the area. M72 and Grandview rise ~400 feet in 2 miles out of the west bay. Which is a "big" hill for Michigan. But like a previous poster said there are plenty of flat roads along the coast that the WTC would most likely use.

Really depends on which way the course goes...it could be really flat along the bay or a monster if up the center of the Leelanau. There is enough elevation change in that area to create a killer course or if it is an out and back on M22 (which I doubt) it will be very flat. I imagine the run would be kept mostly along the lake shore on Old Mission peninsula otherwise crossing over the center of the peninsula and coming back would destroy most people...but with some epic views.

---

_____________________
Fester from Detroit, Mi

Wow! I'm really happy for you guys. And maybe a tad jealous.

---

Brian

I grew up on Old Mission Peninsula...Clinch Park would be a great venue to stage! The water at the end of West Bay shoudl be as warm as it gets depending on the wind.

As for the bike portion...One way to Leland is about 26 miles going straight up M22 through Suttons Bay then 204 across. If they did this route it's very gentle grades with a small elevation gain/loss on 204. Hard to believe they could shut down any of those roads though. If they go the back roads anywhere north and west of TC then get ready for many punchy rollers. The article mentioned possibly using a trail and that can only mean the TART which is bike path width and generally flat but, it crosses a number of roads and would definitely be a heads up section. I'd guess a ton of crashes and drafting would be inevitable. Passing difficult for many. If used it would be one way only for sure.

The run I'd imagine will end up going out to Wilson Rd either straight out Peninsula Drive (flat) up over Wilson which is maybe 1 mile to get over to East Bay but the first half mile is up with 16% near the top before you descend back down. After Wilson back south on Center to Bay East Dr and Eastern Ave. All flat. Or they would do that course in reverse. Or just an out and back. Big point is if it's out and back it's flat. If it's a loop then you'll climb and descend from bay to bay.

Good luck! Have fun! The winery and now brewery industry is huge now. So strange the cherry orchards I used to work in replaced with vineyards.

This is awesome however i hope it doesn’t kill other local events.

Heard steelhead moves to June, assume they do that to take on GR tri. :-(

TC would kill Tawas and MITI.

The TC event isn't finalized yet. The course hasn't been defined and there is no entry fee stated. Not all independent events fold their tent when a WTC exists in the same state--Racine Wisconsin anyone?

The traffic up there already sucks all summer.

How big is the half Tawas compared to the other distances? It is only 2 weeks later. Heard it is a really beautiful course.

Steelhead competing with GR is obnoxious. Again, too lazy to look up GR half numbers vs. Olympic/ sprint participants, but I’d guess it isn’t the majority.

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

I live and have trained in Traverse City for all my triathlons. Many Olympics, five Steelheads and three Ironman Wisconsins.
I think staging the race transition at Clinch Park will bring on lots of push back from Traverse City and Old Mission residents.
A better Transititon race area would be 2.5 miles to the northwest at Elmwood Township Park and Marina. There is lots of room for transition and the crossing of M-22 for both the bike and the run could be easily completed at the intersection of M-22 and Cherry Bend Rd. From there it’s easy access to the Leelanau County roads and the Leelanau Trail. Parking might be a problem but Schuttle buses could transport folks from the downtown Traverse City parking Garages.
Another big benefit is the water is almost always calm on this side of West Grand Traverse Bay.
I’m very excited at the prospect of leaving home and riding five miles to the start of a Ironman 70.3 race.
This race will hurt other area races. Most likely The Traverse City Triathlon.

I live close to Traverse and just signed up for my first Tri at Bowers Harbor (Old Mission peninsula) on August 19.

Traverse City makes perfect sense for an Ironman. It's a great area. However, as you can see in the comments in that article, this might not go over well with the locals. In the summer, northern Michigan is filled with tourists and people who "cottage" during the summer (some of these cottages are worth millions of dollars). Right now you're as likely to see a Florida license plate in Traverse City as you are to see one from Michigan. These people tend to want their peaceful and quiet time up north, and they're tired of all the traffic and the various festivals and events that happen during the summer.

I don't know about the process for allowing the event, but if it has to go before the public, I would not be at all surprised to see it denied. I would be extremely sad if that happens, however.

---

@brad_glasgow

Hills - Btw, for the Cherry Roubaix bike race, which goes through the Leelanau Peninsula, the 40 mile race has 2,026 feet of elevation, the 60 mile race has 3,065 feet, and the 90 mile race has 4,639 feet.

---

@brad_glasgow

Looking forward to a 2nd IM 70.3 in Michigan! TC is a fantastic site for a race! Steelhead moves to June, so athletes can do both races! Z

I'm all for a race in Traverse City, but it does seem like the schedule for the upper Midwest is going to be awfully full. I don't see how they can all survive.

early/ mid-June: Wisconsin
mid-June: Grand Rapids
mid-July: Door County (often the same weekend as Muncie)
late-July: Ohio
mid-August: Steelhead
late-August: Traverse City?
early/ mid-September: Wisconsin Ironman

Cherries and wineries are not going to sustain the region on their own. It's Northern Michigan. The economic driver is tourism. Silly locals.

I'm not sure a newspaper comment section is the best place to gauge the public pulse. It's going to self select for the strongest opinions and those are going to tend to be the negative ones.

Did you see in Tom Z's post that Steelhead moves to June?

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Yes, I saw a couple people speculating that Steelhead might move to mid-June, but is that definite? In any case, that would almost certainly hurt the Wisconsin 70.3 since you'd most likely be splitting the Chicago crowd. I doubt it's possible or profitable, but what I would really like to see is something that extends the season like a race in late September.

Its not speculation when the RD states it.

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Steelhead started out as a mid-September race. I think there is room and a weather window for a Great Lakes 70.3 late in September.

Tom,

Is there a firm date for the Steelhead race in June? I'd love to go ahead start planning my 2019 race calendar.

Thanks,
japarker24

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

2019 Steelhead date will be announced at the race next weekend. Z

Ironman hurting a smaller local race, yes I'm sure that was never done on purpose.

They will kill that race within 2 years.

Thank You! I can't wait to race Steelhead again (even though 2016 was non wetsuit!)!!!

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Midwest triathletes will now have a full summer of IM 70.3 races to enjoy! Madison in early June, Steelhead in late June, Muncie (40th year in 2019) in early July, Ohio in late July and Traverse City in August! Z

I see what you did there!

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Last year a very large boat race that was expected to bring in 100k people to the town was unanimously denied, partly due to noise concerns, but in large part due to what the race organizer called "festival fatigue".

Large parts of Traverse City are wealthy and could be considered "tourists" as they're only living here when the weather is decent. They're not looking for additional tourist dollars, especially when the city is oddly ill equipped to take advantage of those dollars (there's no hotel tax, for example). Anyone here familiar with the area can tell you there is going to be at least some public blowback against an Ironman event, especially when it closes roads.

---

@brad_glasgow

That's exactly what it strikes me as. I don't think MITi can withstand the Mdot assault like Door County did. TC that late in August is almost guaranteed wetsuit legal, and doesn't carry the risk of a cancelled swim like Steelhead.

TC likely wouldn't effect MiTi anymore than Steelhead did. So, Steelhead in June might effect GR tri but only the half distance and you still have them separated by several weeks. For me personally I choose races based on the best week for my family calendar. So, the more options the better. Late June (probably 2-3 weeks after GR) will just add more options to bring people to Michigan. It definitely doesn't seem like it is an overly aggressive move by IM.

---

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202

I think something to keep in mind is that WTC went after MiTi even before their first race. They wanted to call it the Michigan Iron, and WTC didn't really like that, so hence Michigan Titanium (Iron Rusts, Titanium Doesn't). So WTC may have that in mind as well when they move in on MiTi.

I agree with Thom. Does a race that only gets a couple hundred people even register a blip on WTC's radar? Beyond the obvious trademark enforcement stuff. I somehow doubt WTC is so concerned that they're counter-programming against a race that isn't even as big as the M40-44 AG at a typical WTC race.

You guys and your tinfoil hats. :-)

---

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

^^This^^

I think it might not get approved. I live in Charlevoix. TC people are always bitchin’ and moanin’ About festival fatigue. They are already feeling maxed out on weekend events.

---

Not everything is as it seems -Mr. Miyagi

You do know the RD posted in this thread, right? He said the race date will be announced next week.

---

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

Ok. My mistake.

OTOH, remember northern MI is very much smallville, and the good ole boys club has the last word. Meeting is Monday to finalize.

Having said that, I’m looking forward to the race.

---

Not everything is as it seems -Mr. Miyagi

“You guys and your tinfoil hats”. Best comment in this entire thread! Z

Tawas only had around 50 in the half distance last year

According to a local reporter

---

@brad_glasgow

Some additional details from the news report:
- It's a 2 year deal with Ironman, which usually signs 5 year deals
- It will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2019
- The Traverse City commission voted unanimously in support
- It now goes to the Clerk's office, as well as some of the local governments where the race will go through

So looks like it's a go!
For those of you looking to travel and stay over, you might want to start looking at AirBnB now. Hotel rooms are rather expensive in Traverse City. You might want to look in surrounding areas like Acme, Elk Rapids, or even Kalkaska.

---

@brad_glasgow

Can't help but think this is a "F you" to Michigan Titanium, which is Aug. 19 this year.

---

http://mediocremultisport.blogspot.com

In the past, WTC has entered into 5 year deals for its 140.6 mile races. For 70.3 mile races, 3 year contracts was the norm. Maybe now 2 year contracts for 70.3 races is preferred or perhaps this is a special situation.

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Can you now give the date for Steelhead 2019?

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

The race director posted June 30 in another thread.

Thank you!

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I was in the area over the weekend and the paper on the Leelanau Peninsula had a big story on it, discussing the bike course.

It said the swim would be at Clinch Park and the run would be on Old Mission Peninsula.

The bike would go up County Road 633 to Sutton's Bay to Herman Road to 204 to County Round 637 to County Road 626, looping back to 204, down French Road to Schomberg Road and back into Traverse City.

But the jist of it is the folks on Leelanau Peninsula are up in arms about it closing off traffic and are worried about its impact. They want the course to be on the TART trails, which are nice, but aren't nearly big enough for 2k riders. It sounds like the race itself has been approved, but the exact route is very much still up in the air.

Anyway, that's the update from the Leelanau Enterprise at least.

I'm not from here (live in Los Angeles) but visit Glen Arbor almost every summer. Maybe I'm crazy but that route seems freaking amazing! Not sure about the run... I don't think I've gone up that way but I'm worried there will be little to no spectators, am I crazy?

I've ridden a lot of those roads and they are nice rollers... what would the run look like? Pancake?

Either way... I'm watching this one closely as I've dreamt about this race being organized and I'd fly in for it.

I would suspect the run would be similar to the Bayshore Marathon (http://www.bayshoremarathon.org/course-information)

It's pretty flat and sun can be an issue, but it's generally regarded as a fantastic course.

From what I've heard, almost nothing is set in stone yet, except the date. They're still considering moving the swim so that they don't have to shut down the marina. Last I heard they're still working on talking to local governments about the bike and run courses.

The run course is supposed to go through Old Mission peninsula, which is filled with vineyards and orchards. I doubt there will be much in the way of a crowd spectating on Old Mission, as it's not exactly easy to find parking and you have to go near the race start/finish to get there anyways. However, Old Mission peninsula and Leelanau both are beautiful, with stunning views of "the bay" - Grand Traverse bay, which is split in two by Old Mission peninsula. Here's a picture I took while pre-riding this Sunday's triathlon course.

This is on Peninsula Drive, which I'm sure would be included in any route. It looks west to the Leelanau peninsula (that's Marion Island in the foreground).

As for hills, there should be some rollers. As I mentioned earlier, the Cherry Roubaix bike race goes through Leelanau and has a couple-few thousand feet of elevation. On Old Mission the Strava map for the sprint course I'm doing says there's about 600ish feet of elevation for the 20k bike, and 1,000 feet of elevation on the oly bike course.

---

@brad_glasgow

I did my first ever marathon at Bayshore...the road is canted to the point where it felt like I was sliding sideways the entire run--so not flat as some roads (it looks like this: / ) Okay not that steep, but you get the idea. Unless they've repaved it since back in '95 or '96 whever I did it in my 1 size too small Air Mariah/cotton sock combo!

That picture must be from either Center road by Chateau GT or Island View somewhere maybe on the road to OldMission Elementary...Peninsula Drive runs right next to the water until just after Bowers Harbor.

Hmm, yeah I think you're right. I thought that was along Peninsula Drive but that might have been a little further south on Center.

---

@brad_glasgow

Have the announced or when will they typically open up registration?

---

David

H & A Racing

I'm waiting for the registration to open also.

I already booked a room up there for that weekend, figuring the less pricey rooms will go fast.

I did run across the tentative course maps for Traverse City on another site...

http://swimfasttrifast.com/...ity-70-3-08-25-2019/

Site is live. No course maps just yet.

http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman-70.3/traverse-city.aspx#/axzz5Qt4oThad

I used to live here and absolutely love the area. I took a slot to Nice next year and FOMO has set in. I really want to do this race! I suppose I can settle for Steelhead in June.

I saw the run is around boardman lake. Should be a pretty flat run.

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

Put a calendar reminder in so I can get that T1 pricing.

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

Am I reading the run correctly? They have it as two out and back loops on the east portion of the lake path? This sounds like a Santa Rosa 70.3 fuck up all over again?!?!?! You CANNOT have 2000 athletes sharing a tight bike path for 6 miles! Come on.. please let me be wrong.

Absolutely everything else about this course sounds awesome. My wife is originally from the area and we spend every summer in Glen Arbor... this is bucket list worthy for sure.

Also, if I recall correctly, there is a portion of a run path that is on a dock without a railing. Some folks could turn it into a swim bike swim!

Alothough I bet that this would be avoided. It’s been a few years since I’ve been up there and even more since I’ve ran.

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

Not that it matters a lot, but the Ironman site descriptions of the bike and run are totally different than the maps you found at the Fast site. Knowing how these things work, it will probably change again.

I rode parts of the bike course last weekend. It will be really fast up to Sutton's Bay (~15 miles) and then there is a mile+ climb out of Sutton's Bay. The middle portion will have all the climbing before leveling out again for the ride back into TC. Course will be tough but manageable, certainly not a Muncie/Steelhead type of drag race.

Lot's of buzz in West Michigan for this race. More than Steelhead has ever had. Most of the triathletes I know a planning on at least the first year. I suspected the pricing tiers will go very quickly.

Hmm, website says bike course goes "through Leelanau County and Benzie County." Is it a single loop through Sutton's Bay, SSW towards Lake Ann, then back east to TC?

---

"They're made of latex, not nitroglycerin"

I used the course found in this pdf a friend sent me. Can't find it online.

https://onedrive.live.com/...%2169404&o=OneUp

Wouldn't that technically be 3 miles? ;)

I'm originally from TC and am considering hopping in but nothing would chase me away faster than a lowest common denominator race course. Make it FUN! even if that means making it a logistical challenge!

---

36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

The proposed course in the pdf I linked shows it as a double out-and-back along the bottom of the West Bay. I would be fine with that.

Any insight of this race will have a pro field?

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

Ditto. Just saw your link. That'll do pig, that'll do.

Still not stoked on a two loop run, but a road is heaps better than a path. The entirety of the Boulder full takes place on a 8-10 foot (4-5 feet each way) bike path, it's a chaotic mess. Sure this doesn't matter to the avg athlete but for anyone competing it's a massive pain in the ass.

---

36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

What’s the secret to get early registration, I see people posting registration confirmations.

Be a member of an Ironman registered tri club.

---

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

AWA program and tri club early registration.

---

_____________________
Fester from Detroit, Mi

I only get awa priority registration for IM distance events... I only completed in 70.3 events last year.

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

I saw this morning that Tier 1 was already sold out, and registration didn't even open yet! The priority for clubs explains it.

This is going to be a popular event!

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

I wonder what ever happened to the priority registration that was promised to Legacy Athletes when the program launched.

Yup! There was a flurry of texts and FB posts on a couple of groups I belong to late last week with everyone getting signed up. I know people who signed up Friday or Saturday who didn’t even get into Tier 1. I got roped into the swim portion of a relay. We tried to register but it’s only for individuals. Guess we will have to wait until tomorrow.

I just realized I paid tier 2 pricing and I signed up as soon as I received the e-mail!

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

Do they ever announce how many slots are available in each Tier 1? It's Ironman... there could be 1 and I wouldn't be surprised.

yeah I guarantee the tiers are not equally split with the amount of participants.

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

Perhaps not after folks find out what lodging costs.

Its already at Tier 3 and general opens tomorrow! Guarantee it will fill tomorrow or the next day. This is just like the Bayshore Marathon. Sells out in minutes.

Ok...how the heck is this being sold before general release, that seems a bit idiotic. How do you get pre-general entry?

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

Maybe more buzz because TC is just a cooler place. I recall roller skiing through Old Mission with a girlfriend who lives there many decades ago. She introduced me to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream--Cookie Dough. Right in the middle of a workout. Yep, TC is a sweet place...it has everything but a decent sized airport nearby. Come to think of it, most of Michigan does not have a decent sized airport except for Detroit, hours away.

AWA receive a link with a code. However, I noticed this wasn’t distributed at the same time. I received mine several days after I saw someone I know in Michigan register.

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

No question it's gonna sell out. But wait till they go to make lodging arrangements! I've already heard the wailing on FB.

That’s why everyone in my tri club booked their rooms as soon as the official date was announced!

---

_____________________
Fester from Detroit, Mi

There are plenty of options outside of TC proper. Much like for Iceman, Kalkaska is good. Boyne isn't that far away, and neither is Cadillac. I am usually up many hours beforehand anyway, so an hour drive in the morning isn't that big of a deal.

Yesterday I booked at the Travel Lodge in town at a somewhat reasonable price. Not a lot left in town. My father-in-law has a cabin about 30 minutes away, I might end up staying there but I wanted the option of being closer.

For the record, this is not a 70.3 problem, it's a summer weekend in TC problem. I tried to book a weekend hotel in TC a few weeks ago and it was sparse pickings mostly > $300 a night.

With all the buzz about this event, I also booked a room as soon as I heard the official date announced.

I live in cadillac so I'll just drive up from here. It's only about a 50 minute dive for me, so I think this is going to be great!

My family has a place in Petoskey... it's an hour away, but free and far fewer tourists! It will be interesting to see how many friends and teammates start asking for a place to stay when they realize everything is booked already.

I stayed at a travel lodge once...never fucking again man.

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

My mistake. Its the Howard Jouhnson not the travel lodge. Looks a little sketchy but has decent reviews.

Just checked pricing- at 12:07 Eastern, the price already in tier 4!

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

Crazy, I just got signed up and the MDOT bag was already sold out.

My browser is stuck

I got in as a Tier 4. Man, I bet this event sells out today.

I started the process at 12:05 and I was tier 4. I don't what a guy would have had to do to get tier1

I think tiers 1-3 are much smaller than 4. They are attempt to make it look like entries are disappearing fast. I don't have a good guess on when this will sell out but a lot of races blow through 3 tiers and then remain open for months.

I have a friend who registered on Friday and the bag was already sold out. I was told there were 1100 of 2400 spots remainin when registration actually “opened”... no idea if that’s true, but it sounds reasonable given the buzz around the state regarding this race.

I’m in for the relay... $145 for a 35 min swim and a t-shirt. I am a moron, but at least I can hang out the rest of the day and heckle.

So basically you get a password to enter races early if you associate your membership with a tri-club. Thank you to Pathetic Triathlete Group for informing me. Has anyone thought of Creating a ST Tri Club? I mean Emilio just made a bunch of kits! So basically everyone who is associated with a tri-club gobbled up T1 and T2 price points well before this went on sale. Annoying, but now I know.

It was at T3 when I jumped on but I hadn't renewed my USAT membership so I dinked around trying to renew it on USAT's site and it was being painful...five minutes later it moved to t4.

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

All sold out.

FB page is saying it is the fastest an Ironman 70.3 has ever sold out. I know it was going to be popular but wow!

---

_____________________
Fester from Detroit, Mi

I would love to see this race become so popular that they entertain the idea of making it a full distance!

Petoskey is more like 1.5-2 hours away. Worse, driving in northern lower Michigan in the summer is not predictable. It is common to get behind a tourist doing 45 mph the whole way and passing lanes are infrequent. And there are fewer tourists, but the majority of people you see will still be tourists - or at least people who are "up north" during the summer but live elsewhere during the winter.

---

@brad_glasgow

Geeze...so I was dumb enough not to book the airBnB I originally saw. A week later and 70% of the listings disappear. Then I put in a reservation last night and the owner failed to confirm...on the beach 10 minutes away. I booked a spot in Glen Arbor that as my GF says is: "Soooo CUTE!". Looks nice, staying a few days afterwards to enjoy it.

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

In the emails-Gatorade Endurance is on course nutrition for Traverse City.

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

Course maps are out...

Whoever did the Bike Course map deserves to be shot...you don't orient an E/W route on a slide as a N/S route.

Definitely thought the bike and run would be along the peninsula, kind of disappointed here.

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

Turn the page! Z

Nothing but crickets on here for TC 70.3 happening TOMORROW! Are there STers racing or is it full of newbies like the very entertaining FB group continually suggests? I’m excited to come out of retirement, even if not at the level I once was. Taking bets on the DNS/DNF/Finisher ratio. Good luck to all out there.

---

Ben McMurray
Northern Michigan Small Farm Venture ---> http://facebook.com/hillvalleymi [/size]

I would have loved to make it up there for the race but unfortunately it was just going to be too expensive to get up there. I've also heard Potts won't be racing but still a few solid pros on the start list. Hopefully the race is a success and I can make it next year!

---

Benjamin Deal - Professional - Instagram - TriRig - Lodi Cyclery
Deals on Wheels - Results, schedule, videos, sponsors

I'm here- I lived here back in 2011 so once the race came out I knew I had to do it!

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

Looks like perfect weather for tomorrow. Good luck to everyone participating

I raced today and had a great time, they couldn’t have ordered better weather (some headwind coming back on the bike, but that’s about the worst of it). I enjoyed the course, the water in the bay was so clean and clear. And the hills on the bike were actually fun to ride, enough downhills to let you recover for the next climb. So much new pavement as well. Run got a bit crowded, but there were a lot of spectators and volunteers out cheering, so that was nice.

Traverse is a beautiful location, and I thought they pulled of a first year race quite well.

(Back door brag, I got a spot to New Zealand with a 2nd in my age group place, so it’s hard for me to dislike much of the anything from TC 70.3 😀)

You nailed it. Tough bike, but fair. I rode my numbers and tried not to get to wild on the hills, but still was hurting on the run. Felt like my Achilles were beaten with a bat afterwards!

Good weather, gorgeous water, well-organized. Not a “fast” course, but a good one.

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

I really enjoyed the race. I think that's the biggest crowd on a course that I've seen in a 70.3. The town, volunteers, and organization were all great - they really embraced this race. And that course was sneaky tough, but very fun and scenic. I agree that the two-way run path was tight and probably the only slight negative I saw the whole time there.

It was my first 70.3, so I don’t have much to compare it to, but I had a great time, and learned a lot.

I’m signed up for IM Chattanooga next month, so I looked at it as a training exercise, and if nothing else, it gave me a little more confidence that I can finish a full.

The swim was nearly perfect, warm, clear, smooth water, simple route, and not terribly crowded...swimming into the sun was challenging though, had a hard time sighting the markers, and wound up swimming a lot of extra distance...so I know to work on that, at least (2338 meters, per my Garmin, lol).

The bike was the hardest part, for me...lots of climbing, and was dealing with a rear wheel that didn’t want to stay clamped...it kept moving forward in the dropouts and rubbing my frame (too many watts, no doubt, lol). Very hilly, with some tough climbs, but balanced by some FAST descents. A bit more wind than I’d like, but not bad. I was much slower than I hoped, but still reasonable for me.

The run was good, but a bit squeezed as mentioned before...lots of out and back on narrow trails. I’m nursing some injuries, but took it slow and finished strong.

Weather was almost perfect, and the volunteers were great.

Not sure I’d do this one again, the city is a bit expensive and the distance is a little far, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Anyone hear any info on a 2020 race?

---

Gone with the wind

Instagram: palmtreestriathlon

Tracking that it should open up this week. Was my first 70.3, loved it.

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

I was there yesterday. Was my first 70.3 with about 9 months of training. I was hoping for sub 6 hours but went 6:06. The race was great, though it was very crowded on the bike and run.

I came in about 15 minutes slower on the bike than projected, and I averaged 5 watts higher than my BBS plan. That wind on the back half really crushed my speed.

Glad I’m not the only one!

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

Yeah I thought the course was going to be similar to Chattanooga but it was far more challenging! Absolutely great event!

---

USAT Level II- Ironman U Certified Coach

Super impressive the race they were able to pull off on a first try. The full support of the community was readily apparent. Awesome swim venue and challenging but fun bike course with the best road surfaces you'll find in Michigan and no auto traffic to deal with.

Going forward they may have to do something about the traffic on the run course. I'm slow so it didn't bother me much but I could see it being frustrating if you are running fast.

Anybody else smell BBQ on the swim course? Maybe I was just hungry.

that wasn't BBQ. that was the smell of my spaghetti burps.

Local radio station this AM was fielding phone calls from locals commenting on the race. Most callers were happy with the race, and thought it was cool that such a large, well known event was in their own back yard. Of course, the glass half empty crowd was represented as well. you know, the usual...people that can't be inconvenienced for a single moment, not to mention an entire day! the horror.

I live in Charlevoix, about an hour north of Traverse city. I thought the event was great. The swim was beautiful ( I knew it would be), the bike was fair, but challenging, and the run was fun because their were so may small crowds of people cheering the athletes on. The finish line atmosphere was epic.

---

Not everything is as it seems -Mr. Miyagi

Nice to hear this guy used his one phone call well.

Funny. He was pissed he had to take the long way to the co op.

---

Not everything is as it seems -Mr. Miyagi

https://www.wxyz.com/...ause-of-road-closure

Pretty certain that this guy would have killed a cyclist the moment he got his chance. Good reminder to be thankful to the traffic marshals. Might not always be perfect but they certainly did their job and more here.

---

Benjamin Deal - Professional - Instagram - TriRig - Lodi Cyclery
Deals on Wheels - Results, schedule, videos, sponsors

I did not get a lot of training in this year due to having a new baby at home but had a great time none-the-less. No need to recap the big climbs on the bike but I also thought the course layout gave ample time for recovery on the downhills. There are also plenty of flat sections that were giving up plenty of speed if you were willing to putting in the effort. I heard from people out later on the bike that the headwind really picked up coming East on M72...I must have caught the very beginning of it as I felt a lot resistance on the big descent back down into TC.

Run course was a bit congested but I'm hearing that will be alleviated as trail construction around Boardman Lake is completed. I also did not notice how much warmer it was around Boardman Lake until the end of the first loop back near Grand Traverse Bay...must have been around a 5 degree difference and that would explain a lot of the cramping and hydration issues I saw on the run...myself included. Started cramping around mile 4 but managed to fight it off until mile 11 when a hamstring just seized. Couple minutes of stretching and some base salts from a very nice lady got me back on track.

Swim was as good as any venue I've been to. Clean and clear water the entire way with minimal contact because the rolling start. People were worried about the length of the run into T1 but I felt it to be less than half of what is in Mont Tremblant. Swim could be dicey with bad weather, it is still Lake Michigan, but was absolutely perfect for Sunday.

Volunteers and check in was very well organized. People in Michigan know what a gem TC and surrounding area is and I am glad the rest of the triathlon world got to see some of it on display this last weekend.

---

_____________________
Fester from Detroit, Mi

I agree a life was saved because of the marshalls. The locals have known for a year and electronic signs have been up for a few weeks reminding them the roads were closed. I believe they were closed for 6 hours starting at 7am. I have zero sympathy for any local that tried to go somewhere. Locals are use this type of thing with the cherry festival and other events. This guy being arrested has deeper issues.

As for the course, the swim was awesome. Bike course good. Not my ideal for triathlon because I'm a weak runner. At the 28 mile mark on the bike: RIP my run legs. I barely survived the run.

The first mile of the run course was more like a parade. Streets were just lined with people on both sides. The good is that it inspired you to run hard. The bad is that it inspired you to run hard. No way was I going to walk in front of all those people. It was so bad on the first lap, but on the second you had to run up that road twice, thus two miles of solid people. When I finally got back to the Tart trail I just about dove into the woods to die.

Run course was very crowded. I saw a few people running with nonracers (family or friends). Normally wouldn't bother me but then I saw them take stuff from aid station. That's a no-no. So I chirped at them a bit. They were apologetic.

---

_________________________________
The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.

Yeah, and there was a LEO who definitely could have killed someone as he drove down the run course lane responding to a call when there were other routes to exfil.

But outside of that one instance...this race was awesome. The locals came out in full support. I didn't hear the final count on volunteers as people were still signing up to volunteer on Saturday, but on Friday there had been over 1200 volunteers signed up. Talk about a full embrace of this race. Will definitely come back if we can.

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

I've never seen a race with that many volunteers. It must be a traverse city thing. I did a study up there a few years ago and needed 5-6 volunteers to survey. I ended up having over 30 volunteers.

Steelhead has a lot of volunteers as well.

---

_________________________________
The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.