What’s the best US Mainland Ironman and why?
My favorite is CDA. I like it b/c it has a low “pain in the a** factor”. I stayed at the host hotel which is where the race starts and finishes. The pre race dinner and awards are right there too. Also I used bike transport which was really awesome. When we flew in the hotel had a shuttle. We took that to the hotel and then I walked over and picked up my intact bike. After I crossed the finish line I went to transition and walked my bike over to bike transport. SO easy!!! Also CDA is so beautiful!!!
Lake Placid …obviously!
Great venue, great course, great community. Plus lot of other stuff to do after the race and for your family.
I’ve done all the mainland “Ironman” races and many of the “Iron Distance” events. Canada sticks out as my top pick with Lake Placid a close second. The single loop bike course out of Penticton is both challenging and scenic which sets it a part from the others.
While I too consider Canada to be part of the U.S. mainland, you shouldn’t put that in writing on a public forum. Some of the Canadians are still under the mistaken impression that they are a sovereign nation.
My vote is for IM Cd’A. Aside from being one of the most beautiful places anywhere, it is absolutely and awesome race for both athlete and spectator. The swim is the widest beach start of any IM (I think) so plenty of room for everyone and beautiful two loop lake swim. You finish swimming past a wall of people where you can actually start hearing the cheering getting louder and louder as you approach. Bike is not only beautiful but ultra challenging w/ 40 small climbs making drafting almost a non-factor. Technically two loops but you actually go past the transition area three times not including start and finish. Same with the run, past transition three times not including start and finish so not only do spectators get a chance to see you a lot but you get that adrenalin rush frequently during the race. I also love the out and back run as you get to see where everyone is and see all your friends out there. You may be able to convince me there are others as good but couldn’t be better for my taste.
Ha! I guess I did color a bit outside the lines on that post.
A mate of mine that has done all of the US IM (bar FL) says that his new fav is Louisville.
The swim is the widest beach start of any IM (I think)
It would have to be the second-widest after IMFL. The beach is hundreds of MILES wide there. You can start as wide as you want:)
Silverman - It’s just plain epic.
Best schwag as well.
Ironman Lake Coeur d’ Arizorida
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Louisville is hard to beat, the volunteers “over 2 to for each racer“ and organization ”it’s put on by Ironman Corp” are very good! It has a river swim with fast times the bike course isn’t easy but the run is very flat. There are spectators all over both the run and bike, on the bike a small town has thousands of people with cow bells, there are lots of people dressed up on the climbs of the bike course devil costumes and more. The run people pretty much line the whole thing it a has two loops and goes past Churchill Downs home of the Kentucky Derby and through the University of Louisville
campus the fraternity houses have party’s going outside. The finish is at a place called “4th Street Live” its the night club scene, two story open air clubs line both sides, it is an air conditioned outdoor galleria type of thing that has to be the coolest finish line out there! It’s just a really really nice race.