Hello!
Has anyone done or heard about Chelan Man (half ironman)? I’d love to hear your feedback? What about for a first timer?
Thanks so much!
If Johnathan Hoskins is still putting on this race, then it will be a good one; all the past races of his I’ve done have been good. Chelan can get very hot in the summer - mid day temperatures have been close to 100 when I’ve been there for the July 4th holiday.
At Grand Columbian last year he started to use an underwater buoy line that was visible while swimming and said that he would use it in future races.
Chris
It’s a tough course. Hilly, hot and isolated. J. Hosk is a race director who strives to be everything Ironman/70.3 is not. That said he does an awesome job as an RD and people of all ages and abilities feel welcome and thrive at his races.
have you ever been to chelan? if you have not it is a great town with plenty to do. it is just on the eastside of the cascades so it is going to by dry and hot and a bit of elevation but the run and bike course are a good route and have plenty of really cool views. the lake is very big and one of the deepest in the country so the temp is always on the cold side. the course is tough but not the worst. the winner is usually about 4:15hr or so i think. the town it self is great with plenty of outside activities, good wineries and breonweries and outdoor activities. there are two campgrounds, one right in town with great facilities so deff a good option. i have a cabin in chelan and have spent many summer and winter weekends there so if you need any more info let me know. if not hopefully you can make it out and race there and good luck to you. ill be there
cody
Thank you so much! This is really helpful!
I did 2/3 of the HIM last year (DNF due to hip injury before the race). The swim was tough due to waves (thank god the water is crystal clear, 'cuz I drank a lot of it), the bike was tough but beautiful. Starts out flat, then you get some short hills around 20-30 miles out, then a good climb up from the lake, long descent down to the river, then a very significant climb back up, then drop back down to the lake and about 10 miles of flat back to T2.
Last year it was a little chilly before the start, mostly due to the wind, but warmed quickly as the sun rose. Definitely warm toward the end of the bike.
The race was VERY well run and I plan to return this year to finish the job.
edit - Water temp was great, I wore a sleeveless wetsuit and was very comfortable. The town itself, and the surrounding area, is awesome.
I raced in the Apple Capital Triathlon just south of Lake Chelan and loved it. Many of the other racers had also done Chelan Man and had only good things to say about it.
Sorry for the lack of detail. I’ll be racing it this next summer, hopefully I’ll see you there.
Not that it matters much, but the course record is in the high 4:20s, by a guy who is superfast (ran 1:18).