Triathletetoth wrote:
I side from all the other stuff.
Why Ironman (full) is better in Penticton then Whistler. For Local triathletes West coast to Calgary. You get the best Training prep for the race in that city.
Late August means you can go and ride the course and train in Penticton a lot during July and august. And while you are there do another local race like the peach, apple, etc.
You can start your training season a bit late and enjoy better weather and more time to travel and do other lead up races.
Whistler is not a great training location for biking. Pool is fine and lake takes a while to heat up.
This is a win for the local triathletes over the world. But I am bias too.
I have done extensive training in Whistler and Penticton. Whistler, IMHO, is a far better location to train. Alta Lake is a great place to swim, and there are many other excellent choices nearby if you want to change things up. The road riding is mostly on the hiway, but there are large lanes to ride in, I always felt 100% safe (except the descent and climb to and from Pemberton, which is no longer an issue), and the running options are amazing.
In Penticton, and throughout the Okanagon, I NEVER felt safe riding. Narrow or no shoulders on most of the roads, tons of fast traffic, and poor sight lines for drivers due to the abundant curves. The lakes get much more wind and chop, and they are so big it is hard to get perspective on distance. I never found any good running trails, but I am sure there are some, just not as many or as obvious as at Whistler.
AND- I found the Okanagon to be beautiful, but BORING.
I never raced IM in Penticton due to the many logistic issues that have been noted, and the outrageous price gouging, but I trained there 2 summers, and rode the course several times. Even without considering the white knuckle traffic issues, I far prefer the riding in Whistler.
From a course perspective, Penticton would not make my top 10- sorry