Looking for a little feedback on this race.
Good, bad, great?
Does the swim usually end up wetsuit legal?
How’s the bike course?
I have done it twice. Once it was non-wetsuit, once it was wetsuit. Its a small body of water (think oversized pond) so it heats up quick. I really like the bike course because it was a closed course. Its a little congested start going through the park. There are a few rough patches of road but other than that they are in good condition. The run course has changed every year, but mostly flat kinda boring.
Interesting it gets that warm that early in the year. But I’m from ND so used to 60 degree water in June.
I like the idea of flat for a run! Fargo is flat as it gets so that’s what I’m used to.
I’ve not done a non wetsuit swim. (I’m still fairly new to Tris). Wish they would at least allow bouncy shorts. I have very sinking legs.
The year i did it where it was not wetsuit legal it was just barely over the cutoff. Just make sure you sight well since the swim course isn’t your typical shape.
The bike course is pretty nice except at the start where it’s a little rough as mentioned above.
The run is open and exposed from when I did it and very flat.
Nice atmosphere. It’s the biggest city in Iowa but has a more suburban feel for most of it.
In the years they weren’t allowed was it above the 83.8 degree mark where it’s a strict wetsuit cutoff, or just optional without being able to be in AG awards and/or WC rolloff?
I haven’t done the race though I’ve wanted to because I’m from the area. In case it matters to you, I believe it is expected to be the final year of the event.
Rumor has it that the 2025 edition was the final one for this race. From what I’ve heard from participants, the race director confirmed it during race weekend. If so, it’s a real bummer. I really enjoyed this one-- it’s the only car-free bike course I’ve done, and DM was a great host city. With addition of Rockford and Louisville, I guess there are just too many options for the upper Midwest. But it sucks for anyone looking for an early season race who does not want a river swim.
agreed, that’s really too bad. it was a wonderful race, and DSM was a great city to visit