My first time entering this race, wondering if anyone has done this race and how it is.
Done it 3X, doing it again this year. The biggest wild card can be the weather, but the 5 day forecast looks ideal (21 C, sunny). The course itself isn’t too challenging - the swim is two 1k loops, exiting between loops. The bike actually has a net downhill, since T1 and T2 are not at the same location - the first 10k into town is a nice way to start. Going through the North Saskatchewan River Vally twice just before and after the turn around is a little cruel, other than that, the bike course is flat, and there are not many turns to contend with. The run is pretty much pancake flat, with only some very slight grades to contend with.
The organization and volunteers are first rate, I never hear any complaints about this race. They’ve capped entries at 700 ever since I’ve been doing it, which keeps the course nice and clear. They also have the bestest ever drafting punishment - besides the stop and go when the Marshall tags the cuplrit, there’s a little diversion coming out of T2 whereby the offender gets to run an extra 1200m (I assume 3X around the track - I speak not from experience) before they begin the run. I have also witnessed, more than once, repeat offenders DQ’d on the spot.
ANyway, if this is your first half, you couldn’t have picked better, IMO, and won’t be disappointed.
i agree completely. it is by far the best HIM i’ve done, and the organization parallels IMC. it’s the best race in alberta, and i’d wager a bet on best in western canada, aside from IMC.
enjoy the race…i wish i could be there racing with you.
Awesome! Sounds like a great event then! Just heard that patches of road on bike course was still under construction and there were some oil patches along the route too.
Rode the bike course on Saturday, and yep, road is still under construction (as of then). The northbound section (after the turnaround) does have some fresh pavement, but it is not super-smooth stuff. The southbound section still has some bumpy patches and some potholes. Nothing terrible, but not great. Oil was nothing to worry about…
Agree with the others, the reason the race fills up every year in 2 days is the first-rate racing experience. Wade does a great job with the details.
I agree with the others. I have not done the race in a number of years, but the organization is first rate. Wade Church and his team do an outstanding job. This course, if you get a good day(light winds), can be very fast as there are not that many hills on the bike and the run is flat.
You have made a great choice for your first 1/2 IM.
Best wishes.