Ive signed up for both ironman UK and for the vineman full. I am of course going to do only 1, as they are on back to back days 8,000 miles apart. Before you flame me on over-signing up, ironman UK was going to fill up before they announced the course, so if i wanted the option, i had to sign up ahead of time, and then take the refund if i didnt like the course that they (finally) announced a few days ago.
A bit about me: PR is a ~10:15 IM at AZ last year, do HIM on fast courses just under 5. Flatter bike course specialist- im BIG- like 195 lbs, very fast biker on the flats, but VERY slow on the uphills. Better biker than runner (bike <5 hours, but run > 4hrs) Would liketo go to kona one day, but im probably about ~30-60 minutes too slow for that now
A bit about the races: Vineman full- non ironman branded race. Up in napa. About 300 racers Ironman UK- totally new course this year somewhere called “bolton” some postindustrial place near manchester, i think about 1200 racers Both races are august 1-2nd weekend this year Both races are about equal expense to get to from US east coast (san francisco vs london, rent car)
How the races are the same: Both bike courses are a total climb of around 2,800 feet for the whole bike leg. This makes them about 2x more net climbing than IM AZ, but about half as much climbing per mile as CA 70.3 Both run courses are pretty flat Both races have wetsuit swims
How the races are different: Ironman UK has kona slots, but only 2 in my agegroup, which means even if i beat my PR by a gajillion miles i still wont get one there Ironman UK has ~1200 ppl vs 300 in vineman Avg temp at that time of year is 84 for vineman and 67 for UK (and apparently quite wet in manchester uk too) Ironman UK will probably have a ton of drafting because: euros seem to be mega drafters flat course lots of people
im kind of torn- i could argue this either way:
In favor of vineman: might be able to podium in my AG if i have a good race, which would be cool napa is prettier than postindustrial england- ive heard bolton isnt a pretty place in general. hear its a fun race, good karma Much less drafting than ironman UK probbaly
In favor of ironman UK: Bigger field gives me things to think about while racing Avg temp is 15 degrees colder which would be nice
Has anyone here done either race? what do you guys think?
I’ve done the Full Vineman Aquabike, and I can tell you that it gets very hot there in early August. But it’s pretty scenic. Bike course is, for the most part, rolling. Longest climb is probably about a 300-foot gain (Chalk Hill), but you have to do it twice.
Yeah, Vineman is in Sonoma county (all the wine snobs, er, oenophiles up in that area are really testy about Sonoma County vs. Napa County, it’s like a religion up there. I just tell them that you haven’t lived until you’ve tried a fine Missouri wine).
Ironman UK will probably have a ton of drafting because: euros seem to be mega drafters flat course lots of peoplegot to disagree on the first point at least! probably not the second two tho’.
FWIW I live in the UK and IMO the organisation of and support for the IM races here is not up to the standards that you get elsewhere. Even when it was closer to home (2 hour drive instead of 6 hours) I tried the UK HIM once and then didn’t go back. and its a new race so you may get teething troubles…
Full Vineman is an awesome race. I did it as my first IM last year and loved it. Its a very scenic course and definitely has more of a small-town feel to it than the bigger races. It can definitely get hot (heat index was over 100 degrees last year on the run), so if you don’t do well in the heat that might be a factor. I would much rather do an IM in heat than in the rain, so choose your poison.
Obviously, with fewer participants getting on the podium is a lot easier (I finished 3rd in my AG going 10:56). It’s also a good race if you happen to be bringing the family as there is lots of cool stuff to do in NorCal.
gavin- interesting that you say organization isnt great. Overall ive been blown away by organization quality of WTC iron branded races, but no experience with the UK organizing company
Frankly though ,they have been a real clusterf–k organizing this new course so far- way behind schedule in releasing the course details, etc etc. so your point about them not being organizationally up to snuff is supported by their pre racegistics.
What is the bolton area like? is it pretty, or is it post industrial ghsatly? ive heard some rumours that its not nice at all?
I’d support Gavin’s points. Go for Vineman. As for whether Bolton is picturesque National Park or post-industrial ghastly, have a look at the area on google map sattalite view that should tell you all you need to know.
You will not be able to swim at the race location before IM UK. Extract from a post by the organisers:
“IRONMAN UK is pleased to be working with United Utilities and will ensure that ANY athlete caught swimming in the lake prior to race day will receive a lifetime ban from ALL IRONMAN UK events. Full details of any such athletes will also be forwarded to the World Triathlon Corporation for any similar action that they see fit to issue in regard to their other global IRONMAN events. IRONMAN UK is pleased to be working with United Utilities and will ensure that ANY athlete caught swimming in the lake prior to race day will receive a lifetime ban from ALL IRONMAN UK events. Full details of any such athletes will also be forwarded to the World Triathlon Corporation for any similar action that they see fit to issue in regard to their other global IRONMAN events.”
Friendly atmosphere … not !
Talking about organisation, during the first IM UK they provided Diet Coke on the run …