Diamondman Half

Triathlon Forum
1

I am in debates about stepping up to my first half. I am looking at the Diamondman in Delaware. Does anyone have any thoughts on this race? Or can recommend any other halfs in the PA, NJ, DE region?

Thanks

2

NJ Devilman is good, but you’ve missed it for this year. If you’re looking for next season though, that’s a good one.

3

Here is my RR from last year.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=131995

From what I can remember…
The swim was great. Clean water. Perfectly calm conditions.
Long run to T1.
Bike course was goofy last year b/c of road construction. Should be ok now. Flat and fast. Can be windy though.
Roughly have the run was on dirt or uneven/busted pavement. Not a lot of shade, esp b/t miles 2-11.
Post race was kinda weak. Not a lot of food. Food was so-so. Breaking down early.

-Tim

4

NJ Devilman is good, but you’ve missed it for this year. If you’re looking for next season though, that’s a good one.

Devilman is no longer a half, it’s a ‘half lite’: <3/4 mile swim, 41.2 mile bike, 8.8 mile run. It does make a great race to bridge the gap from oly to half though.

5

What???

That’s so lame.

6

From the site:

*New for 2009 - The Half Iron Distance is now a Half Lite 50 Distance. There is a new race track (automobile) in town and due to traffic congestion, we’ve had to modify. Expect the same quality, fast and fast event as in the past. *

Having done the course, I’m not certain that it would’ve been that much more difficult to make it 3 shorter laps, and kept the distance.

7

Oooh, I guess they can’t help it. Sucks though.

On the plus side, now everyone in South Jersey doesn’t have to drive 4 hrs to race their motorcycles… I’ve heard that race track (not just for cars either) is supposed to be INSANE.

8

If you want a 1/2 to get your feet wet this is a good one. However, know going in that it has some issues. The issues are:

  1. 1/3 mile run from swim to T1 all of which counts on your swim time

  2. There is a one mile bridge you go over twice, so you have 4 miles of climbing. Otherwise the bike is flat, but windy

  3. The run is along a tow path is has less vegetation that the top of Mt. Vontoux. The killer on the run s a 1/3 mile hill at Mile 12 that KILLS.

So, if you can get over those issues and simply want a race to race, this is a good one. I’ll be there for the third year, I think.

Bob