Looking for feedback on 70.3 Racine race–course interesting? challenging? well run? I don’t really care about other stuff to do in the area as I only plan on being there specifically for the race. Thanks for the feedback. I haven’t read too much about this one.
Looking for feedback on 70.3 Racine race–course interesting? challenging? well run? I don’t really care about other stuff to do in the area as I only plan on being there specifically for the race. Thanks for the feedback. I haven’t read too much about this one.
Swim…super nice, you can see the bottom the whole way, water temp in the low to mid 60s typically
Bike…roads are terrible but very flat
Run…dont have an opinion either way
Well run…yes
Challenging…can be if the weather is hot and humid which it usually is. If the weather is good, it is far from a challenging course.
I did it in 2010 so this is from then. If there were any changes I am unaware of them.
Swim -
Water was cool. “They” said it was 60F. My best guess would be more like 55F. You’ll want a wetsuit.
The day before the race the water was dead calm flat. Race day was choppy. Expect both. The swim went out, right turn, swim swim swim, right turn, in. We walked from transition to swim start (1 mile walk). Wave start so depending on your wave it could be a long wait. The water is shallow.
There was quite a run from the water exit to transition, about 1/4 mile.
Bike-
Bike racks were numbered. You get what you get.
There was a fairly steep but very short hill just as you pass the mount line. I opted to NOT do a shoe clipped in flying mount because of this. some people I spoke with who also usually do a flying mount opted to not do one. One guy I spoke after the race did a flying mount and fell on the hill (I have no idea about his skill level so use your judgement). From what I could tell, all the pros had shoes clipped in transition.
The rest of the ride is flat. “They” say rolling hills. I say flat. I’m sitting at sea level as I type this and I can ride my bike up to a 4,000 ft peak in 11miles. So there you go.
If I ever do Racine again it will be on a fixed gear bike. After I got up the little start hill my chain never touched the small ring.
The ride was mostly scenic farms and whatnot with some suburban areas. Nothing really surprising. They have those expansion cracks in the pavement so you’ll need to hold on with both hands at all times (baboom, baboom, baboom, for 56 miles). It will wear you down a bit if you’re unable to zen out. I was in aero the whole time.
The run -
Mostly flat except where you leave the beach area and go up to the road area. No biggie.
Out and back x2. Through residential area (it was REALLY HOT when I did it and the residents where spaying everyone with water (until it rained)).
Did I mention it rained? Caught a lot of people out on the bikes. Got me on the run. It was heaven! Did I mention it was hot?
General -
Aid station were fine and where they said they would be. Transition area was fine. Spectators were cool. Race seemed to run well. The bumps on the bike were annoying as hell.
They claim the run goes through the zoo. I don’t recall seeing any animals (or a zoo).
Crowie won it. It was rad!
swim is fine. the roads are garbage so the ride is a huge pain in the ass, literally. last year it was really hot and humid. even crowie croaked on the run.
I live in Racine and have done this race several times, and I think I am going to avoid doing it again until the city of Racine improve the roads in the city. The bumps out in the county arent bad, but the expansion cracks in the city are a hazzard at worse, an annoynace at best. Its a shame the city hasnt been proactive in fixing the roads as the race is starting to get a fairly bad reputation regarding the roads. As already stated, swim can either be cold and flat, or cold and choppy, but usually cold but not terribly uncomfortable. The run is pretty flat once you get past the initial two hills that take up to and behind the zoo (2 loop run). The run is actually the best part of the course due to the local residents who really support the athletes, especially once it starts getting hot out, with hoses and lots of encouragement. The event is well supported by the community with volunteers.
Crowie & Sam Warriner won it. It was rad!
BAM BAM, BAM BAM, BAM BAM, BAM BAM…front and back wheel over the joints
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Worst roads ever. It’s the least challenging 1/2 I’ve ever done. Do yourself a favor and check out the Door County Half. It’s usually the same weekend. It’s extremely well run and a great course.
Worst roads ever. It’s the least challenging 1/2 I’ve ever done. Do yourself a favor and check out the Door County Half. It’s usually the same weekend. It’s extremely well run and a great course.
THIS!
Worst roads ever. It’s the least challenging 1/2 I’ve ever done. Do yourself a favor and check out the Door County Half. It’s usually the same weekend. It’s extremely well run and a great course.
Roads were awful. It seemed to me it was not great going out, the middle miles were ok then the coming back into town and to the lake was a nut-rattling affair.
Swim this year was gorgeous. Perfect water temp for a wetsuit, see bottom entire way. Just fantastic.
Run had the 2 loops, one tough hill. 2011 will be remembered for the god-awful hotness and humidity. Its not supposed to be 95 degrees at the Lake Michigan shore!
Wait a second…I thought the race was going to be better after they doubled the price and used the exact same course 
.
Door County is the week after Racine this year.
Can you say sweet?
Thank you all for the info. Looks like I will be checking out something else!
Personally I liked it when I did it in 2009, I don’t remember the roads being that bad but that was a few years ago. I liked the run, I seem to remember a lot of shade.
I’d do it again if it wasn’t >$200
the roads aren’t all that bad. I like the race.
The first 3 to 5 miles and last 3 to 5 miles are horrible - outside of that the road conditions aren’t that bad.
Isn’t that about as good as it gets in the midwest?
This year they fixed the first few miles of road in town but the rest of the roads are still crap. There’s an especially bad section that runs parallel to the highway that almost destroyed my bike this year.
The race is not bad. The swim is pretty nice and the roads are kinda bad but the people in town are super nice and cheerful. It was extremely hot this year (95+) and people were struggling. I decided I was going to do the Door County 70.3 in 2012. Have only heard great things about it and most of the folk at my tri club choose it instead of Racine.
X3 on Door County. Its less than half the price and is the best race I have done to date. (20+ triathlons). Swim is nothing special, bike is scenic with a couple rollers but pretty flat (I believe 1,000 ft elevation gain total), Run will really test you! There are two huge mile 7 and 10 I believe? The run has just as much elevation gain as the bike (1,000 ft.) Door County is a fun place to go for the weekend with the family/friends, and the spectators/after party are great too! The Aid Stations are well stocked, they had plenty of water, water submersion tanks, and Huge think 15 person pool ice baths at the finish line!!!
Can’t be beat. I honestly cannot imagine EVER doing Racine 70.3, and I live 40 Minutes from the race!
If you are looking for a first time HIM, an easy course, or trying to qualify for Vegas Racine is your choice. If you are looking to have fun, challenge yourself on a good course, save money on entry fees for the rest of the weekend then Door County is your option.
I have raced Racine the past 2 years, and racing Door County for the first time next year and I can’t wait. I don’t think Racine is bad, but the city is. I will give props to the RD in Racine Ryan Richards (Directs IMWI as well) as he did a superb job last year making sure all athletes were well taken care of and/off the course.
This year is the first time that they are on seperate weeks as well, if you really want to challenge yourself you can do both back-to-back, then report back to us on your opinion!