I have an opportunity to register for IMC and train and race it with a good friend. Another couple of friends had planned to register for CdA and would like me to race with them. Doing both is not an option. Training through the summer in AZ would be hell for IMC, but its a unique opportunity. CdA would work out almost ideally as far as weather is concerned. Has anyone here raced both and have overwhelming experiences as to which of these courses I should consider? I also believe I have the potential to post a low 10hr IM time which may translate into a qualifying spot at IMC vs. sub 10hr needed at CdA. Thanks.
Sub 10 hour…hum…must not be the Shaner I know in AZ. The Shaner I know likes his beer and ASU football a little to much for that. Besides we need 3 to make CdA a Carp sanctioned event!
People who have done both races say CDA is :15-:20 slower than Canada. I’ve only done CDA and can tell you the times are very dependent on the weather! The first year it was 95 and last year it was 85. This changed the qualifying by 1 hr. in some age groups. In 2003, only a few people went under 10 hrs and last year I was 200th with a 10:45.
I say go for CDA as it seems to fit into your training options.
Thanks for the response. I’m not really that concerned about qualifyng. I’m really more interested in the experience. I’m wondering if there is anyone out there who has done both and has an opinon as to which of these two races have the best IM race atmosphere.
I did IMC in 2002 and 2003 and IMCDA in 2004. Both venues are very scenic for the run and swim. The crowd/town support, although good at CDA, is incredible at IMC. The bike course at IMCDA is more technical and more crowded with 2 loops and 2 big climbs each loop. The IMC bike course is much more scenic (you want to stop and take pictures) and far less crowded.
I live within 3 hours of both events so travel is not an issue. IMCDA has the advantage on flying as Spokane - a decent airport is only 35 minutes away. If I was flying to IMC I would drive from the Vancouver, Seattle, Spokane airports (3-5 hours). The airport in Kelowna has limited bike case capacity on its fleet of planes. In other words, your bike may not make it!
Although I will do IMCDA again, I am signed up for IMC this year and probably many more as well. It is, without a doubt, my favorite tri.
New tagline in process.
Done both…IMC is the best IMNA event hands down. The model for a great large community race and where the course defines the race.
Thank you and ironotter (is this Record10?) - exactly what I was looking for and had presumed. Its mid May and going to be 110 this weekend. Traing for IMC will be tough. Thanks again.
you should definatley do CdA, i live there and i watch the race every year and nobody ever complains about the course and the water temp is always perfect. The whole city is beautiful and its one of the best courses ive seen!
I’ve done every IMNA race…IMC and CdA are my two favorite with IMC just barely edging out the top spot. Both communities are great, but in Penticton, even the Wal-Mart has traffic diverted around it…you’d never see that here in the south (Pensacola, FL), so it was a big sign to me that the community really loves the race. It’s probably one of the most relaxing towns I’ve ever been in. I had a fractured foot and still ran my second fastest IM time ever second only to IMCdA…kind of ironic that I was fastest on two tough courses when compared to IMFL and AZ. The crowd just makes you go, go, go. IM Wisconsin is the only course that I’ve finished and said, “I’ll never do this race again.”
I’ve done both of them (twice) and did both last year.
I know it’s heresy, but I’ve never understood the allure of IMC. I think Penticton is a pretty ugly town and the lodging alternatives are more suspect than many other IM towns.
Here’s what I think:
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Swim–IMCdA has cleaner, nicer water, but it’s also more congested. However, I like loop courses as they help my pacing…CdA by a hair.
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Bike–IMC single loop is CLASSIC and is the real reason many love this course. IMC is prettier overall on the bike. CdA is more technical which suits my background as a cyclist and the crowds cease to be an issue after the first lap. IMC wins.
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Run–I don’t find the IMC run course that thrilling. CdA breaks up into nice chunks and I like passing my wife multiple times on the course. CdA takes the run preference.
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Lodging–No doubt, CdA has more options and they are nicer. Food choices are similar in each town.
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Event timing–If you want to race well at Kona, then race CdA. If you want to have the summer to train, then race IMC. If you live in Arizona…Move somewhere else:-) I believe IMC IS a faster course in general due to the long descent (albeit with a headwind) back into town.
In short, I wouldn’t criticize any of the IMNA events I’ve done, but I would choose IMCda over IMC. Of course, I’d also argue that the best venue is IMUSA LP. I’ll be at CdA next year. I look forward to seeing you at the finish.
Cheers,
Jonathan C. Puskas