If this proves to be true then I am 1/2 way to a correct prediction I made in this thread

I didn't realize whistler IM was on the last legs, but I think there were rumblings they would go back to penticton? Could be mistaken, thought I read it here somewhere. I still say Boulder would be the 3rd of the rotating series.

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808 > NYC > PDX > YVR
2024 Races: Taupo

The Whistler part is kind of speculation based on chatter on here and the effect the return of The full Pendicton may have in it. I don’t think there is any conformation about it not having a full anymore

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Matt

We had our 70.3 race here in Coeur d'Alene yesterday. It was a beautiful day with some of the best weather I can remember. Water was 67*, which is warm for these parts in June. Air temps in the 70s-low 80s with tolerable light winds on the bike and run.

This morning's paper reported that negotiations to bring the 140.6 back to Cd'A on a rotating basis are continuing. Everyone is pretty tight-lipped about the possibility...but it seems like we could be close to striking a deal. They are shooting for 2021 for the first race, then every three years, with 70.3 races in-between.

I think its going to be CDA and Whistler. 3 legitimate bike courses, all communities that had good relationships with Ironman but didn't seem to like the yearly commitment and places people would like to go to on vacation. If this is the case, I will be very excited as all three would be perfect for me, but I also understand why people back East might grumble.

Can't the eastern 2/3rds of the continent get a little love?

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"They're made of latex, not nitroglycerin"

Nah. You guys have USAT Nats in Ohio. Close enough.

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808 > NYC > PDX > YVR
2024 Races: Taupo

I would like to see them roll it through ALL the NA 70.3s. Share the love.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

My guess would be St. George, Boulder and Chattanooga. Boulder is the
triathlon Mecca of North America. It’s centrally located. Chattanooga really gets behind Ironman and it would give an eastern presence.

I think Whistler hasn’t really supported IM because some of the surrounding areas with wealthy residents disliked traffic impacts. Couer D’Alene is a good choice but kind of isolated relative to populated areas of the country. St.
George is somewhat close to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

Chattanooga already hosts an IRONMAN (and a 70.3) and has five years on the new contract to continue doing so.

Good point. Doh!

Cd'A is within a 5-6 hour drive from Seattle, 6 hours from Portland, 8 from Vancouver BC, 7 from Calgary, 10 from Salt Lake and Edmonton. Draws athletes from all of those areas and it is not exactly in the middle of nowhere. Good air service into Spokane (30 miles away) as well.

I believe that Coeur d'Alene's 70.3 contract ends with the 2020 race; if that's so they are in position to ink something new with the rotating scenario.

Here is a good article from today's Coeur d'Alene Press about the push for a 140.6 to return:

https://www.cdapress.com/...r_ironman_enthusiasm

So what you're basically saying is, it's in the middle of nowhere?

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"They're made of latex, not nitroglycerin"

It all depends on your perspective. If you live in the Northwest or even the Western US a drive of 5-6-7-8 hours is a walk in the park. Even 10 hours is one day's drive behind the wheel and worth a primo destination. I've lived back east, where a two hour drive is a big deal, so I understand if that is "middle of nowhere" to you.

That was good for a laugh. But I did IMCDA in 2010 flying to Spokane from Tampa. It was an easy travel day.

Has CdA been confirmed as the 2nd site? Any rumors about the 3rd?

Although it has not been 100% confirmed, CDA as the 2nd site is all but a done deal. The frontrunner for the 3rd site seems to be the Seattle area with a new 70.3 proposed for 2020. That would give them 2 years of 70.3 before a full 140.6 in 2022.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Coeur d'Alene newspaper says an agreement has been made. 70.3 in 2020, 140.6 in 2021 and then on a schedule of the full IM every three years with halfs on the off years.

not sure about its suitability for a full IM, but I loved the Lake Stevens 70.3.

E

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Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

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I guess it's safe to say that the same people who didn't look at historical weather data for Tulsa (May is tornado time) also skipped over the fact that Seattle is one of the wettest areas in the U.S. Perhaps IM is banking on being able to cancel/adjust the course at various venues? "Become an Ironman at the new Seattle 0.6. A beautiful course where you walk through the market shoulder to shoulder with your closest friends. Once through the market athletes will make their way up a grueling hill to the finish line at the historic, original Starbucks."

Only in America ::)

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

Altered courses or Starbucks?

Would something related to Starbucks ibe marketed as historical.

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

Seattle one of the wettest cities in America??
Have you been to Seattle? Tulsa, Woodlands, Louisville, all get more rain than Seattle. And from July to September it rains 2-3 times most years. And the most rain in a day on record is 1.7 inches. Houston gets that in an hour during major storm.
Now I am not sure where they would put a race, plenty of lakes obviously, but I am not sure of too many places you could put a 2,500 person transition + parking and then have a good bike course after. But I am sure they can figure it out.

I'm trying to remember the name of the lake, but does Lake Wilderness just outside Seattle seem right?

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Yes, there is an Olympic at Lake Wilderness, it is about 30 min outside of Seattle, and the riding out there is great (part of my regular riding routes) but the longest swim you could get there would be about 1.4 miles. I guess you could do 2 laps.

Lake Sammamish State Park is big enough, conveniently accessed by motor vehicles, has hotels nearby , has off road running (though part of the East Lake Sammamish Trail is being reconstructed), cycling suitable roads (some of which have significant elevation)...but also the town with nation’s richest median income. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but my experience of NIMBYs leads me to believe it would be a massive undertaking to get a race that size permitted in that area. Prove me wrong suburbanites!

I agree on Lake Sammamish, but think they would go to the other end, and have it at Marymoor, no less rich of an area, but very used to having thousands of people there for events. You could also have the finish at Redmond Town Center. I am sure non of these are real options. But it is fun to talk about!

https://www.currentresults.com/...remes/US/wettest.php

https://www.washingtonpost.com/...places-us-this-year/

https://www.statista.com/...the-most-rainy-days/

Sure the stats for "totals" naturally will be along the gulf coast and/or the East coast. When it comes to total number of days with rain, i.e wet roads and soggy conditions, Seattle is right up there. Yes, been there a few times. Each trip reminded me of the time I've spent making the rounds on Islay.

Most of the places listed are more than an hour from where any race would likely be. Seattle's annual rainfall is 38In. Yes, a lot of days of rain, but most of them are in the winter, and I don't think they would plan IM Seattle for November or December.

It is Lake Wilderness in September. There is a thread with links to town council meetings that have details about the town officials meeting with Ironman.

I'm searching for the thread now.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

City of Maple Valley, WA has been negotiating with Ironman. Look for a PDF titled "City Hall Updates - October 14, 2019" :

"Met with Ironman Triathlon officials to discuss the potential of hostng a 70.3 (half triathlon) in September
2020 at Lake Wilderness. "

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

The thing about rain in the PNW like Seattle (where I have been a number of times) and Portland (where I lived for a few years), is that the number of days it rains is high, the amount of rain isn't ever that much. It's just such a light rain that you don't really notice that you're getting wet until you've been out for a while. Most people who live there tend to not even bother with umbrellas. That, and if they put the race in May-August, precipitation shouldn't be an issue. Having done a hot (90 degree) ironman, I think I might actually prefer racing 10 hours in a PNW rain/mist instead. Of course this is assuming the roads they choose for the bike wouldn't be slick.

As for a 3rd site, wonder if the city if Boise would be up for consideration? They had a 70.3 for a number of years. It's in the same state as Coeur d' Alene, but realistically they are not close (7+ hour drive and the fastest route is to leave the state and go through Washington and Oregon). Drivable from SF, Las Vegas, Salt Lake, Portland, and Seattle. I'm guessing a pretty low likelihood compared to Boulder, Seattle area, or Tahoe. But a thought. Though I think one of the last races they held there was so cold the bike was shortened and even the pro's just kept their wetsuit on for the bike portion.

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Matt

I am surprised that they are targeting lake Wilderness simply due to the size of that park and lake... it's not that big. The Oly in June pretty much fills the park (and uses 90% of the lake but I am sure they can find another 300 yards if you stayed close to the shoreline the entire way.) The trail nearby makes for a nice run much like the Oly. I would think Lake Meriden park would have been a better venue size wise but I suppose it is closer to main roads that would need to be closed.

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______________________________________________
Team Zoot

More information:

"Now, Philpot and the city of Maple Valley are trying to get Ironman to come to town.
She said the Ironman Company want to put a competition in Washington or Oregon in the near future, so “Why not Maple Valley,” Philpot explained.
Maple Valley is trying to partner with Renton. Philpot said Renton seems very supportive, but nothing has been finalized yet. The reasoning to partner with Renton is because it has all of the hotels.. . . "

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.