I live in Salt Lake and did the Utah Half last year - more of a fun race after IMCDA. Having said that, I had some definite time and placement goals. There is nothing to write home about with this race…it just isn’t that cool. The race organization is about a 2 on a scale of 1-5. The Swim was a good .25 miles LONGER this last year. The 56 mile bike ride is pancake flat with barely an opportunity to get out of the saddle and give your chach a rest. Plan on self-support for the entire Bike - they had one lousy aid station at the turn around. Last year the Bike was during the SAME TIME as the Utah Lake Century ride - dodging Roadies all over the place - they were riding 4-5 abreast and clueless on basic etiquette. The Run is (I think) weird and confusing - a bunch of out-and-backs on a trail system.
I don’t know where you live but if you are looking for a Half IM in the Rockies during August the clear and correct choice is the 5430 Long Course in Boulder - what a great race. Barry Siff and crew put on a first class event. The course is fast, interesting and fun. A pretty easy drive to Boulder from Salt Lake for me - not bad at all.
x2 on 5430. It’s a great race in a great town. The altitude might be a concern coming from sea level but if you hydrate a little more than normal and don’t try to set the world on fire, you’ll be fine. Plus, it’s a little more than half full right now so you have a few weeks to get in.
I did the race last year as well, I am a local so I did it just because it was there.
X2 on the swim, ok course but at least 1/4 mile long, although they may correct that this year with better GPS attention.
Bike course is boring, long and flat. Last year it was run at the same time as a bike race/event around the lake and there was double the traffic on the way out. Good course if you are a big guy and can put out a lot of watts. Not too bad last year, but there can be significant wind along Utah lake. I lost about 2 min going the wrong way on a turn that should have had a volunteer.
Run course is flat along a river walk trail most of the way but has a weird clover shaped layout.
Volunteers were a bit scarce, but there was ok police presence on the bike course in the congested areas. Good race to do if you are a local and have a space in your calender, but I would not travel any distance for it.
How much did the race cost you? Do you think it was worth what you paid?
$100 is what I paid and no I don’t think it was worth what I paid because there were obvious pockets of little/no course support (mostly on the Bike). I would have gladly settled for two lousy aid stations instead of one. Or, I would have been equally as satisfied if the RD would have emailed participants and let them know that course support could be sparse and to plan ahead.
Still, what slays me is how Utah triathlon seems to be stuck in the rut of Short/Intermediate course racing. No one seems to have figured out how to put on a Long Course race that is properly managed and staffed. It was the same thing at Echo in 2005 (I believe) where there was little/no support on the Bike and participants were blowing up with dehydration in 90+ heat. My guess is Ironman St. George in May 2010 will be Utah’s first successful attempt at putting on a Long Course race. Let’s hope so.
When driving into the parking lot and the transition area you almost expect to see a plywood sign spray painted with “Welcome To The Utah Half”…that’s about how low budget this race is.
How about those mosquitos when setting up in transition last year? A total swarm.
I totally forgot about the mosquitoes, that was a complete nightmare. It was, however, marginally better run that the Utah olympic at the same venue by the same director which featured a three lap bike course where there was a split for people coming into transition on the left and people doing another lap to the right. Add inexperienced triathletes and you have a crash fest for people deciding at the last minute what lap they are on. The run course was some weird 3 1/2 lap affair that you had you asking for directions. There are some great well run events in Utah, these are just as you said pretty low budget.
Chris and the TriUtah crew are doing better at putting on triathlon races. Events like Jordanelle, Ogden Valley and Echo (even though Echo sucks as a venue) are pretty well run. It will be interesting to see how the new US Triathlon company does with the Daybreak, Stansbury, etc triathlons. Probably some growing pains there.
I stand corrected, you are right same venue different RD. For what its worth, I am doing the half again this year as a relay and would do it again if my schedule worked out just because its close and I know what to expect. I just would be disappointed if I traveled any significant distance for it unless I knew what I was getting.
I agree with nearly everything you say. Seriously Jack, Utah is not even in the Intermediate mindset. I’d bet that 75% of triathletes in Utah only race sprints. IMO, it is because most athletes focus on family. I don’t think we have the contingency of adult singles that have time or desire to race long events. This is not bad. It is what it is and I’m grateful they are getting out and racing!