Wait its hot in Florida in May... The shock on here every year for that race that it was hot is amazing.

My thoughts are that they think this will increase their numbers by being in April. I don't think it has ever sold out in May. There are already quit a few May races that they compete with, but not many options in April. Being in April actually makes it more likely for me to do the race. I have been looking for an early season tune-up before heading to St Croix or Honu so this will work perfectly for me. Due to family commitments, I likely won't be able to do in 2014, but if they stay in April I plan to do this in 2015.

Good move by WTC. If people go faster, they return year after year. Look at Augusta. I'd say if moving the race to April makes it too easy, you aren't going hard enough. A 70.3 , if you race it, is quite an effort.

It lines up very nicely with school spring breaks in the N/E. I'd say a good move. I'm now considering it since I may be in Florida that weekend.

Having the Texas 70.3 on April 6th and NOLA 70.3 and FL 70.3 the next week seems kind of odd. They're all in the same region (albeit fair distances away from each other) and draw from a lot of the same athletes. Moving NOLA the week after TX seems more odd to me. Lots of folks use to do both when there was a three week gap but probably not a lot of them will choose to do both with only a week in between.

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

i have to say, i appreciate this. there are a LOT of good races to do in may, but many less in April. i'd say this is more likely to be added to my race calendar now.

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@adamwfurlong

I guess I have no interest in NOLA or Texas, didn't realize they were the same time. Florida is a much better place for a family vacation than NOLA or Texas IMO. Being so close to Orlando and the theme parks makes it a huge draw for my family. Perfect vacation: my son gets Disney World and the water parks and I get to race.

I assume they expect higher attendance as a result of the shift, but for central Florida residents this will cause conflict with St Anthony's two weeks later. A typical spring run up for a local in past years would be an early to mid April sprint, then St Anthony's at the end of April, then Florida 70.3 in mid May. The new date puts it head to head with the largest sprint tri in the state, and probably is not the best race to do if you want to do well at St Anthony's. Perhaps the local market is not the driver at the Florida 70.3 that I thought, but it will be interesting to see how it impacts the local line up.

St Anthony's is a triathlon? I thought they always cancelled the swim :) at least the year I did it. I'm doing Fla 70.3 and looking forward to it!

Florida 70.3 next April will be my first 70.3, excited to try the distance.

It does not deserve the title of olympic triathlon...typically an international and sometimes duathlon. I personally have written it off as no longer worth the money, but that doesn't change the fact that it still draws thousands due to proximity and lack of other "olympic" alternatives in that time slot. Few will travel from out of state for both of these races, but the local double was real so WTC may be cannibalizing some of St Anthony's registrations to grow the Fl 70.3. I did the old Fl 70.3 course three times...the new one doesn't excite due to the location and convoluted swim.

I'm really not a fan of the new time, It pretty much excludes ay of us northerners. there is no way to be ready that early....it's a shame because I always liked that race, and Tom Z always does a great job. I'm running out of WTC love very fast, as lately they have moved me to look at the Indies....

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

Gary - Come on down to IM 70.3 Florida. Heard you will have a mild winter this year and you will be out on your bike in March! :) Z

Computrainer, treadmill and pool.

The May date was tough as the heat was not good for us Northerner's.

I also believe the old date conflicted with either Fly-by-Night or AZ - which is a bigger issue than training indoors.

Hey Tom, You know I love your race, and I hope you are right on our winter, as the spring and summer sucked! I love the heat you guys have. That said, with the race in May we often had our first outdoor rides the day before your race in May. April makes it very tough. I am such a fan of the job you do, and hate to miss your races. But April......we still have snow! Hope to catch up buddy.....

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

I loved the heat...suffered, but loved it after our crappy long and cold winters. April is a real stretch for us tho....

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

Any thoughts on where this race sits in regards to selling out? Trying to plan out my races and finances all at the same time.

thanks

Tom,

Any place to rent a decent bike. Tribike is not serving the race and I don't trustthe airlines.

Thanks

Barry

Last year the race did not sell out and you could sign up on-site the day before the event. Not sure what will happen with registration and the April date. You do get a reduced entry fee if you sign up early. Z

You might want to call a few local shops to see if they will rent anything. Z

If only there were businesses that specialize in moving boxes from one destination to another; say, from your house to your hotel. They could offer cheaper service for 3-5 day delivery, and premium prices for next day service for those who can't be without their box for too long. What a market that might be!

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"Go yell at an M&M"

The only reason I can see to use a company like Tribike would be if they set your bike up for onsite (which I think they do). Otherwise, you can ship a bike in a few days CONUS for about $50. Just gotta be able to take the bars, seatpost, wheels off. Then pad the hell out of it.

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-Stephen in Arkansas

There are - I bought a disk wheel from a very reputable ST member and one of those companies put a whole in the disk and blamed it on the packing. It was packed in a ZIPP wheel box and we bought insurance, which turns out is not insurance. 3 months of arguing and basically told - F-yourself. Don't get me started.......

Tom, is there any chance to be allow wetsuit in April ?
When expect to sold out ?