I know this topic has been discussed previously in the distant past. I was planning to sign up again for Ironman Canada today after spectating yesterday. I have done this race 5 times in the past. At the last minute I have decided to look for something new for 2010 and am interested in races outside of the US as well. It looks like IM Brazil is already full. Any input would be appreciated. IMC is a great venue but would like to try something new.
Silverman is the best IM race. I know it’s not M-dot brand and still in the U.S. but it is crazy awesome.
I’ve done IMC, IMLP, IMFL, and IMCDA, and in early 2010 will be doing IM Australia, so I’ll let you know then. I like the idea of changing it up every year rather than doing the same IM over and over. Keeps it interesting, at least to me. Eventually, I’ll do the ones I liked the best over again.
Please elaborate- what makes Silverman awesome?
My Fav: Canada is beautiful and the only one-loop course in the market.
- Norseman Xtreme
- Lanzarote
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Canada is the bomb - hands down! Of course Hawaii is great too if you can get there 
Canada by far is my favorite
But I had fun and enjoyed New Zealand, South Africa and China.
New Zealand is beautiful, well supported, and friendly
China is small, so not near as crowded but HOT!
South Africa was great but I did the old course not the new one so can’t really say how it compares.
Ironman Western Australia for sure. My favourite of the seven different Ironman races I’ve done. Roth whilst not M Dot is a very close second.
Both races have great local involvement and support that just adds to the atmosphere and makes you feel welcome. Busselton in WA is beautiful and a great place to race. Pre- and Post- race events are all really well put on and the food is good. I could go on. Liked it enough I’m back for a third time this year.
LP is tougher than Canada. BUT, there is something about IMC, Penticton, and the whole experience that keeps this race in a league of ifs own!
TT
x2 on Silverman…beautiful course, hard, great volunteers, awesome schwag, best medals ever, RD pays attention to every detail, down to earth and fun atmosphere, no stress, on and on and on…lots of stuff I read about on the forum with regards to drafting, cheating, pacing, courses not being the correct distance, goofballs in the finishers “chute”, timing chips being “off”, running out of stuff at aid stations or at the finisher’s area, etc…etc…probably won’t happen at Silverman…
I’ve raced Kona, Brasil and New Zealand, Brasil and NZ multiple times each. I’d put it as a toss-up between NZ and Brasil. Both were fantastic trips. Also Full Vineman, which is a good race and the lack of spectacle is nice for a change.
I’ve volunteered or spectated at CdA and Arizona. Really no urge to do either of those. If I were to choose a race in North America, Canada would probably be at the top of the list. Silverman also gets rave reviews from everyone who has raced it, so that would be worth checking out.
clm
I agree with you- the details have always been neatly tied up at Silverman. The course is wicked hard and beautiful. Plus, travel/logistics are easy- always plenty of hotel rooms and flights.
You won’t regret doing this race!
I’ve only done Wisconsin, but I can safely say that it is the best.
Bumping up for additional input. If want to do an IM in the US next year without paying for a community slot the only options at this point are Louisville, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Florida. Not too interested in Louisville or Florida.
I’ll second Russ C’s post. I did IM Western Australia it’s first year and loved it. My favorite IM by far. It is just one heck of a long plane ride to Perth with a nice jaunt by car down the west coast. However, the community support was great and I really liked the course, accommodations, etc. I took part in Tri Travel’s tour group and enjoyed all the people in the group - we booked our flight on our own.
Second for me is also Roth. Another great course in an atmosphere that is unreal. Two totally different experiences. Roth has probably five times the number of competitors when you factor in the relay teams. It is probably also already sold out.
Both great!
Good luck with the decision.
Of those four I’ve done Florida and Wisconsin, and I’d do Wisconsin 100 times before ever going back to Florida. Madison’s a great town with lots to do other than the race, and despite having a two-loop course in each discipline, the course keeps you honest all the way through. Great community support as well.
Florida’s a boring course and an ugly town, but good for a first-timer. Arizona’s a boring three-lap bike past a landfill and a two-lap run on concrete pedestrian path, with a swim in a lake that ONLY gets used for tris. Louisville — swimming in the Ohio River sounds yucky, and in general an Ironman in Kentucky in August (notwithstanding Sunday’s weather) just doesn’t sound like a good idea.
Despite my DNF in Lanzarote this year, I will go back and take another run at in 2011. Wicked hard bike course, but beautiful scenery, crystal clear water, great local support and cheap hotels.
Well worth the trip.
Only experience is with IMLP and IMCdA, I really enjoyed both venues and courses. I had a better go of it at IMCdA and the locals are very IM friendly with great service everywhere but the overall edge goes to IMLP, especially if you like a tough course that is beautiful.
IM California hands down. To compare…IM Cali 2x, IM LP 2x, IM FL 2x, IMMoo, IM CAN, IM NZ, IM Brazil, Kona 7x, IM Cda, IM AZ, (I may have missed one or two on top of these…) #1 IM California (the US military rocked it!)…#2 IM NZ…#3 IM FLA. Keep in mind, these are based on the sole number and quality of volunteers and glitch-free race courses. This in no way speaks about the excitement of the laid out course. I am strictly talking about the people involved and ease of logistics. Sorry Canada, you didn’t make the top 3 (maybe 4th). I can speak from experience that IM Moo has the 2nd best medical tent (behind Kona) of those I’ve visited. Last place goes to Brazil, but the trip to Ariau Towers in the Amazon was awesome! I have to give credit to the towns that hold these races though, all the race organizers & volunteers do their best. But somebody has to be first/last right?