I am looking to do the Boulder 70.3 next year and am trying to decide on my target time. The only 70.3 I’ve done before is the Branson 70.3, which had plenty of hills. Comparing this year’s times between the two, the Boulder bike is significantly faster than Branson (about 30 min difference in the top). I’m hoping to beat my previous time by about 35 minutes (Branson was 5:50) but am wondering if I should increase the goal due to the seeming “ease” of the Boulder course. Has anyone done both that they can speak to compare the two?
I have done Branson but without times, I see at least an improvement in bike. I would think you should shoot for a better time. Try 30 mins better.
its a lot faster if you are acclimated to the altitude.
I did Boulder 70.3 this year, but have not done Branson. The Boulder bike course is fairly fast. Although there’s around a 600’ difference between the high and low points on each lap of the bike course, the climbs are almost all quite gradual, and it doesn’t feel like there’s much climbing. The bike route is also not at all technical. Generally not very windy in the morning in Boulder. However, most people (myself included) tend to underestimate the run course in Boulder. It looks like an easy, flat 2 laps around the reservoir, but the times are generally slow for a good reason. It is 90% on dirt roads & trails, it is 100% exposed, and unless you’re one of the very fastest out there you can easily spend most of the run with temps in the 90s. And the altitude probably has the biggest effect on the run. I have read so many race reports on that race that say “I didn’t expect the run to be so tough”.
I did Boulder 70.3 this year, but have not done Branson. The Boulder bike course is fairly fast. Although there’s around a 600’ difference between the high and low points on each lap of the bike course, the climbs are almost all quite gradual, and it doesn’t feel like there’s much climbing. The bike route is also not at all technical. Generally not very windy in the morning in Boulder. However, most people (myself included) tend to underestimate the run course in Boulder. It looks like an easy, flat 2 laps around the reservoir, but the times are generally slow for a good reason. It is 90% on dirt roads & trails, it is 100% exposed, and unless you’re one of the very fastest out there you can easily spend most of the run with temps in the 90s. And the altitude probably has the biggest effect on the run. I have read so many race reports on that race that say “I didn’t expect the run to be so tough”.
Totally true regarding the boulder run.
good to know about the run.