A question for those of you that have done a 70.3 series race … How do they compare with an IM in terms of the entire “event”? The expo, carbo-meal, post-race awards, and such?
A question for those of you that have done a 70.3 series race … How do they compare with an IM in terms of the entire “event”? The expo, carbo-meal, post-race awards, and such?
Cali/Oceanside and Vineman are the two I’ve done.
Expo: ok, but maybe not as large as an IM
carbo dinner: don’t have one
post-race awards: in a tent after the race/no dinner
Edit to clarify: There is food post-race at both races, but no “awards banquet”. Though I’ve never been in an early enough wave at O’side to actually get any of the pizza that they say is there at the finish.
clm
Timberman has been a nearly identical type “event” to M.dot since long before becoming part of the 70.3 series.
Does anybody really care about the expos at these things? Seriously. I know the various sponsors don’t wanna hear this, but I blow thru those things in like 5-10 mins, and then don’t go back again.
I agree with you in that I would never pick a race to go to based on the expo, but to me it indicates something about how professionally it is being run. When you go to a race like IM Can or IMLP and they have the athlete village/expo and pre-race swims etc. then all of these things contribute to the overall feel of the event. I think that is one reason why the IM North America races are so popular compared to a smaller race with the same distance but without the hoopla.
I think a half Ironman makes a better vacation than a full Ironman. Less pre-race stress, less of a taper required (so you are not paranoid about being off your feet), and you feel much better post-race for the rest of the vacation. I did South Africa when it was a half in 2004, and it was fantastic. The hype surrounding the race for certain 1/2’s, like St. Croix, is just as great as the hype for a full-IM. The expos aren’t great whether for a full-IM or a half; there is nothing you can’t get on the internet. Plus, it seems like there are some great locations for some big 1/2’s: Belgium, Quelle-Challenge France, Australia, Buffalo City, South Africa, Monaco, Cancun, Brazil, Pucon, Austria, etc. Some places, like South Africa, are so happy to have the tourist dollars that they really make the event top-notch. I imagine any of these would be just as good as a full-IM as an experience.
I agree about T-man. I personally couldn’t care less about the expos, athlete village and all that crap stuff. As long as the race is well organized and safe I am good.
I believe the NA Sports-run 70.3’s are probably a lot larger than some of the others. I was at Lake Stevens (Barclay’s North) 70.3 and the “expo” was sad, 4 booths (or so), with very little anything going on…mostly just clothing, nowhere to buy equipment/CO2/etc…I guess my expectations were a bit high seeing as they had the branding of “Ironman” I figured it would be similar to an IM expo…not close. Same with the awards ceremony, it was done outside on a stage near the finish, there was pizza and drinks provided to finishers, so I guess it was somewhat of a post-race party, not a badly ran event, and sure as hell had more than most HIM’s I have done…just don’t go into it expecting it to have the same coolness factor of a true Ironman event. Not bad though.
For pure shopping enjoyment and pretty good deals, you can’t beat the Chicago expo, but that is not a half race…The best half expo I would have to say is Wildflower. It is a festival with food and craft booths, along with 50 other tri related booths. It is outside, and the weather is usually nice, and it has all the pomp of an Ironman or 70.3… You have to be into camping though, or at least a 35 ft motorhome…And the race has more history than just about any Mdot race except Hawaii…
For Timberman 70.3, we have a Friday Night Champs of Triathlon Dinner with Simon Lessing, Kate Major, Desiree Ficker, Karen Smyers, Michael Lovato and Bjorn Andersson speaking, with bands outside most of the evening, s’mores around the campfire in the TimberVILLAGE, and about 25 vendors…
Saturday, there is the short course race, but also a pancake breakfast in the am. Then, TimberVILLAGE opens, with bands throughout the day, registration, vendors, seminars, wetsuit demos, a Pro Forum with the pros, TimberKIDS youth tri, etc…Saturday evening is the Complimentary Carbo Load Gala, followed by s’mores around the campfire and more live music.
TimberVILLAGE is at Gunstock Mountain Resort, and is really beautiful. They also offer chairlift rides to the top of the mountain, that have stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the white mountains. Gunstock also has more than 250 campsites, which are full with athletes and their families.
Sunday, is the 70.3…Post-race food and beer aplenty, but we also have the TimberPARTY sunday evening with a a lobster or steak dinner, beer, campfire with s’mores, live music, etc…a great way to end the weekend…
We’re pretty proud of all the extra activities we have surrounding the race, as well as the race itself…Expect some surprises this year. I’d say each 70.3 event is different in these aspects. Some will have activities, some won’t. True, we’ve had all of this stuff before becoming a 70.3…
any info on your triathlon stage race weekend yet?
We’ve got approval…I’ve just been really wrapped up in Timberman, and will have more info shortly:) It’ll be July 11-13 next year:)
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I’ve done Calif. 70.3 twice, Florida 70.3 and Eagleman 70.3, as well as last year’s 70.3 World Championships. That event had the hype, the banquets, the expo, etc., but the others were more low-key than a full IM. Eagleman did have a carb load dinner, but it was just a buffet dinner…no entertainment, hosts, etc.
The events themselves were all run very well! I’ll be doing Calif. and Florida again in '08.
Not officially a 70.3 race, but Gulf Coast is almost identical to IMFL. The expo is much better though with a lot of tri shops participating versus just inside out sports. I thought the expo really rocked. I guess you could expect it to be the same sort of thing since the race director is the same for both. The week up to the race and the after race part is almost identically, but maybe even more fun do to the les stress involved with a 1/2.