Irezumi wrote:
Great news! I would like to try this event; any recommendations for/against the Victoria 70.3?
I've done this race 2x.
Pros:
great run course, imo one of the best on the IM circuit that I've seen anywhere on the globe. Mostly packed dirt trails, shaded through the woods on the front side and some exposure on the backside to the sun, probably 70% shaded. The technical sections of the trail are maybe 400m long for the entire race
solid bike course, rollers, flats, a few sharp hills yet nothing that will break the legs and I'd say it's a pretty fair bike course. meaning it doesn't favor flat landers or climbers. Both will have their place to shine
temps are usually favorable for someone coming from AZ. Even a "hot" day is just warm
no long ass run from the swim exit to T1 like some races.
local craft beer scene isn't bad, isn't the best I've seen either
a fair bit to do outside of racing
everything downtown is walkable, good dining scene
1 transition area which is imo appreciated (cough cough St G 70.3)
USD is worth ~ 25% more than the Looney at today's valuation. IIRC I entered for < $225 USD the last time on T1 early entry.
Canadians! Some of the nicest people around.
Cons:
island traffic sucks balls - for the record I've always stayed in downtown Victoria. Haven't stayed in Sydney. Even race morning allocate minimal 25 minutes to get to parking and another 10 to stroll to transition. There are some pay parking spots close by and some right across the street but it's very limited
hotels can be pricey. Yet, you can also find some great deals. I stayed in a national lower budget chain last time and the rooms had just been redone, it had a kettle, micro, stove, fridge, bfast in the morning, great views of the harbor from the higher floors and I had a balcony to hang out on. Even the hotel snobs among us were giving it 2 thumbs up and the price was way lower than I'd have thought possible for downtown.
not a ton of airbnbs or lodging close to race site
not the easiest place to get to. You're flying in in a hopper or taking the ferry.
The f*cking awards ceremony takes place well after the race is over. (score 1 win for covid - no awards ceremony!) Hey WTC no one wants to hang around for as much time as the race took for awards.
All in all I've raced this race 2x and would race it again. I mean the weather, highs lower than the lows in Tucson. How can you not be sad about that.
Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching Insta