As I recall when Timberman was still an independent event they had a sprint on Saturday and the half was on Sunday. I think Musselman in NY used to do something similar.

A two day even can be a good strategy to get families (mom races one day and dad on the other), although I am little unsure about men one day and women the other as the best split. Especially for HIM, you are asking for a tremendous amount of volunteer support two days in a row, plus a lot of traffic impacts. If you had a sprint one day and a HIM the other, you could probably run a gran prix (cumulative of both events) and get a few more entries that way. Also this would make the volunteer load one day much smaller, although with a two day event perhaps you offer discount race entries to volunteer on the other day. I guess I'd be more willing than usual to volunteer at a triathlon for all women;)

In any case, great to see a race back here, but the original independent Timberman is a high bar, it really was an excellent event. I would have liked this more if some local race director was trying to resurrect the event than seeing a corporate director come in.

They said 4000 athletes, 2k each day. Sounds a little optimistic, but since all the races are pretty much sold out right now, maybe?

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

General comment here, I would like to see more 5150's the day before an IM. IMAZ has the Saguaro sprint, which is ok, but since we tend not to have many lake swim tris here, would be nice if it was the Saguaro 5150.

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Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

Any updates on this?

Same here. First ever 70.3 was T-man in August of 2006 and come to think of it Timberman was also my last 70.2 a few yrs later!..lol
I had regsitered to do it in 2005 but came down with serious medical condition and Keith refunded my fee...which as we know not many RD's are willing to do. He was a really good guy. Told him id do it in '06 if possible and of course I was able to keep the promise. Returned in 2007 too and then again in 2009 and that was it for me. Had a young one and newborn on the way and havent raced in any halfs since. A return of Timberman could bring me out of 'retirement'. It really was a great race venue

Funny. 2006 was also my first 70.3 also at Timberman.

This would be amazing ! Hoping for good news.

Don’t love the Opechee finish and run area as it’s much more “city” than when it was at Ellacoya but will taken anything !

I only did Timberman once, but the old run course was way too crowded, with a significant portion on a shoulder with cars traveling highway speeds. The logistics for spectators were also pretty lame. This will be a big improvement IMO.

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

Interesting. Remember they used to have a sprint on Saturday and the half on Sunday. Biggest issue that I can see would be parking around the finish and the logistics to bring people back to the start after the race. Maybe only morning bike racking?

For other two transition races you still drop your bike the day before (or pay TBT to do it for you). At registration you’ll get a bag that you have to put everything into after swim and they bring the bag to the finish. No need to go back to the start.

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

I get that. I do a point to point race yearly (Barrelman) so I am quite familiar with the logistics.

What I did not say well, is that the logistic here are going to be complicated (maybe that is just the new thing i.e. Blue Ridge)

Parking typically has been at ellacoya. There does not appear to be great options for parking at the new end for 2000+. I do not think that on street parking ala Florida will enamor much to the locals. If the parking for the start is still at ellacoya, then you would expect a shuttle back to the starting area.

If they do a woman's race on Saturday and Men's race on Sunday, that would greatly compress the time for racking. If you use the track for finish/racking like Placid then you still have the rest of the park for the afterparty. But Sunday athletes are not going to be able to rack until after 4pm? And again there is limited parking around that finish area.

I know that they have been other events in that park, but I doubt for 2,000 athletes. I am just saying that there are some questions about the logistics.

It was technically possible to park at Ellacoya, but it was very limited, you had to be very early, and you couldn’t leave. Most people parked at Gunstock and shuttled in/out. I don’t know what the parking will be like in Laconia, I agree it has the potential to suck.

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

Hi

Must have been an old course. The 2 I did had no cars (I think it was 2015-2016) but yeah could get crowded on the two loops

I wonder when they are going to make the call for it. My family are going to be up on Lake W about 5 minutes away the second week in August, I would like to know if it is a go so I can do it if I am up. They have to give people enough notice for the race also.

Is the flicker of hope that Timberman might return extinguished? I’ve done some online searching, but see no reference to deliberations post February.

If so, that’s a bummer. NH is a state with a business-friendly attitude. A community used to hosting NASCAR events and a major motorcycle rally every year shouldn’t be too spooked by triathletes in tight clothes.

Yea its strange, after Ironman went to the trouble to get it approved by the Laconia town council they went radio silent as far as actually putting it on the calendar. I am thinking its some contingency plan but give that all of the 70.3s seem to be sold out I don't understand why they don't schedule it. The town was also asking them to move it to September which would be great but its getting down to the wire to open registration.

I've done some searching too, haven't found anything. Possibly they couldn't get the permits for Ellacoya? Though they could have figured an alternate swim site. It would be pretty lame if it were a ruse to pressure Old Orchard to step up and renew on favorable terms, but can't rule that out I guess. It's definitely too late to add it for this year, so my only question is whether they intend to put it on in future years or not.

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

Some years ago, a Rev3 high-up told me they signed OOB to a five year contract. My guess is this is year 5. It’s been a very successful race as far as attendance is concerned, but it requires a very awkward road closure across Route 1. Also, it’s during the high season, so locals may be indifferent to it. I wouldn’t be surprised if OOB says goodbye. These races tend to wear out their welcome.

IM lost the LP 70.3, so maybe two Northeast 70.3s are sustainable in the August-September time frame?

I was wondering if Timberman quickly could reappear if IMLP is cancelled. A lot of Northeastern triathletes would happily settle for a 70.3 in late July.

Yeah, I know, that’s a one in a million chance.

I saw an email from Ironman today that Timberman is back for end of August this year.

The iconic Beach 2 Beacon road race in Cape Elizabeth, ME was cancelled yesterday. ME 70.3, located nearby and a month later, looks at risk in that context.

Maybe Timberman slides in as a replacement?

Ha.

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

I think they must have heard us talking about it.

It looks like they consolidated the venue to Opechee, so no more swim at Ellacoya. That will work better.

https://www.ironman.com/...806895231.1618252581

no maps yet, but says it will use 3 miles of the speedway on the bike

Fantastic. This race never should have left. Kudos to IM and all the people involved in bringing it back