considering this race for 011. Anyone compete in this race: thoughts on courses, support, terrain?
Trying to find a bike course thats not a Lake Placid suffer feast, nor a Clearwater flat… from what I’ve read, this seems like a middle compromise.
I did Steelhead this past year. This swim is a point to point with a wave start. The later your wave, the bigger the waves since it is in Lake Michigan. I would call the bike course gently rolling. I thought the support on the bike and run courses was more than adequate. I would call the bike course gently rolling. Being in a later wave, there was no noticeable drafting. The majority of the run course in through the Whirlpool Corporate Campus. To me, the run course was mostly flat with a couple hills. My only complaint was the logistics of the expo. It took forever to get through. Maybe that is the norm, but I thought it should have been a lot smoother process.
I will be back next year. All in all, I thought it was a good race and a great location.
Yes, I’ve done Steelhead twice: 2009 and 2010. Nice race. The swim is a straight course in Lake Michigan with the current. The ride course has rolling hills but nothing crazy. You will be hit with a strong headwind the last 15 or so miles. In 2009 it was probably about 20+ miles per hour headwind; it 2010 it was not as strong. The ride course is fairly scenic. The run course has one steep hill that you run up twice, but otherwise it is fairly flat. It is not a very scenic run course. The support was fine both years I did the race. They have whatever you need at the aid stations.
I’ve done Steelhead at least four times, maybe more. I’d highly recommend the race.
The organization is excellent, the field is deep and the course is beautiful. It is a crowded race becasue it is such a good event but the organizers have done an excellent job of accomodating the numbers. The venue, Jean Clock Park, has recently been renovated and is better suited to host the event than ever.
One experience there, of many good ones, shines out: One year the race was forced to cancel the swim due to some particularly angry seas on Lake Michigan. It was a good call. In very little time the event organizers had re-oriented the race to a duathlon format complete with a new run course to replace the swim. I’m not talking about in a matter of days- I am talking about a couple hours. I’ll suggest many events would have simply pulled the plug on the race. As it was, it turned out to be a good day. That is the only time in the history of the event that has happened so it is an anomoly but also an example of how responsive and adaptive the race organization can be.
The venue is nice too. Recommended.
Thank you all for the input… Sounding like the one to go for… I live in the hilly section of NJ and train a lot on the coast, so rollers and head winds are typical here…
Again thanks
first 70.3, besides only training 8-9 hrs a week and blowing up on the run, I loved it. The bike was rolling but noting big. The run is an out, two laps, and back. Two hills on the run course to keep you honest. The swim was fun but its crazy to see how far 1.2 miles is when your walking down to the start. It feels like it goes on forever. Ill be back next year hopefully with no rain.
Thanks swimlax…
Great race, well ran and organized. I did it in 09 and 10, and agree with what everyone said so far. On the bike, the hills are nothing to think about, but the headwind on the last 15-20 miles can keeps you honest. It was pretty tough in 09, and since the M30-34 was one of the last waves to start, it is a little windier and hotter than the earlier start waves.
Thanks tom for the input… seems most have the same views…all which look pretty good for me…LOL
The Whirlpool IM 70.3 Steelhead Triathlon is the BEST IM 70.3 race in the IM 70.3 Series. Of course I might be a bit biased as I’m one of the crew that works on the event. You will not be disappointed. Hope to see you at Jean Klock Park next summer. Z
I did it twice and haven’t been back since they had a massive increase in number of participants.
You’re right. There is that big hill at the start of the run. But since it’s at the start I forgot about it. I have a lot of energy at that point in the race. The hill you run up twice at about mile 7 and 10 is more memorable because it looks like a mountain at that point in the race as my energy level is lower. So, to the original poster, there are three good sized hills you have to run up at Steelhead. Other than that, the run course if fairly flat.
I was there spectating this year and here are my thoughts…
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Some parts of Benton Harbor are lovely and other part are, uh, dangerous.
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The swim is with the current and fast, but you have to walk almost 1.5 miles from transition to get to the start. And then you run almost a 1/4 up the beach to go to T1.
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Count on long transition times and the transition area is THE Longest I have ever seen at least 1/3 mile long from end to end.
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There is little to no spectating on course as its hard to get in and out of the park. You can, but its tough.
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Plan on walking at least 1 mile for parking. Normally not a big deal, but this year in a pounding rainstorm it was.
All in all a good race and well organized, but its not all wine and roses.
Bob
Thanks again for all the input… Being from NJ and having some insight on a race that far away is priceless…
I’m sure any hill that course may offer is “small” compared to where i live and train… North/west NJ is hill country and has many a climb over 900 ft with grades of 6/7 %… Some good climbs can go 2 or 3 miles in length…
Thank you all… great info to go with…
Any hotel recommendations for this race ???
Lotsa black folk there.
Lock your cars and watch your wallets.
St.Joseph is much safer.
Igot
I did it in 2010. I was not sure I would like it on the day leading to the race - the area did seem kind of sketchy… But I have to say I really enjoyed it on race day. The course was really nice and I felt safe throughout on the bike course. Gently rolling on the bike is a good description. They just repaved the whole side of the road for us, so it was fast. I recommend it 
The first big hill just outside transition really sucks coming off the bike. But its really a great race. The swim is great, the bike can be fast if we can skip the head wind on the way back in and the one big hill on the run ,the other hill you do twice is a breeze.
Big hill?
At Steelhead?
Really?
jaretj
inappropriate and uncalled for, get a life.