Looking at races for next year and was interested to hear from others who have done either Renaissanceman (7/10 in Muscle Schoals, AL) or Rocketman (8/28 in Huntsville, AL) in terms of swim/bike/run courses, how well the race is run, competition level, good places to stay, etc. Thanks in advance.
I have no information to add, but wanted to bump this up and see what feedback is provided as I am looking for a mid-season Olympic distance race in the Southeast myself.
I’ve had athletes do both races, I think even win one or both of them over the last few years.
The feedback I can remember is that the courses are really good, race i well run.
It will be hot and humid for both races.
Iirc Rocketman is the more competitive race for the top 10-15 spots
There will be some stiff competition for Overall and several of the age groups… Renaissance man has a pretty tough course… Rocket man is a bit flatter… Both RD’s are awesome
I’ve competed in the Renaissance Man race in 2014 and 2015 and the Rocketman in 2014. The Renaissance Man was pretty warm in both years, warm enough to affect how hard one could go in both the bike and run.
The Rocketman went to a new course in 2015 which I haven’t experienced, but it was an improvement from what I have heard from those who competed this year.
Of the two, I prefer the Rocketman as it is later in the year and not as hot as Florence is in July. The local athletes are pretty fast so both races are competitive. Florence doesn’t have the high end places to stay like Huntsville but there is a decent hotel close to transition (Hampton Inn), that is on the run course. There are some decent places to eat in Florence’ss downtown which is walkable from the hotel and is also on the run course.
Huntsville has good hotels and restaurants but all are at least a few miles from the race location. Huntsville has a vibrant foody culture with food trucks, lots of microbreweries, and local restaurants. The Fleet Feet store in Huntsville is ranked in the top 50 running specialty store nationally and does support multisport activities. PM me if you want a more detailed breakdown on Huntsville.
Team Magic has some great races in Alabama and Tennessee, especially the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon.
Since they are so cheap right now, I signed up for both. I’ve heard real good things about both races.
Bring your A game if you want to place well in either race. Both are great races. Run course at Renaissance Man is a challenge. And be ready for lots of heat and humidity.
Both races rock. Both RDs really go the extra mile to make things happen for the athletes. You’ll have a great experience at each. The emcee at rocketman does an amazing job too.
RMTri is my hometown race. The bike course is on buttery smooth asphalt with just enough technical spots to reward a savvy cyclist.
The run gets a lot of respect, but it’s one wee hill at the beginning, then you run along the plateau to the turn around and have a long descent back. It starts and finishes in the park, there’s a couple fountains, a lion exhibit, a college campus, historic downtown, and Frank Llyod Wright house all on the run course. There’s not much happening on most Sunday mornings, so the local community provides a lot of support.
I’ll be hanging around there somewhere after the race. Hope to see you.
If you do a Rocketman you get to see a real Saturn V.
So Rocketman wins.
Closing the circle on this for those looking at these races in the future. Did rocketman, did not do rennaissanceman (maybe next year). For Rocketman I can say:
-very well run race with many fast folks as advertised
-they do a great starting system allowing folks to race in an “elite” wave of about 60 for those racing for overall or AG podiums and then everyone else can do the time trial start. Note: swimmers in that first wave are FAST so if you are a relatively stronger biker/runner, weaker swimmer be prepared to try to hold on to the pack for dear life.
-pretty flat and fast bike (out and back course on good roads) and run (mostly on a pedestrian path, also an out and back)
- it was hot because it was Alabama in August, but really not that bad
Would definitely recommend the race and will likely be back
Also, https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Scottsboro/GoosepondPondIslandHalfIronDistanceTriathlon in late May 2017.