What is your favorite Ironman race, and why? I’m looking to sign up for a full ironman within the next year or so and am interested on hearing peoples opinions on different courses.
IM Texas because it was in my backyard.
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I haven’t done a full yet, but if I get dumb enough to sign up for one, isn’t IMLP the easiest of all swims?
I haven’t done a full yet, but if I get dumb enough to sign up for one, isn’t IMLP the easiest of all swims?
Definitely on the easy side, but there are downriver swims at IMCHOO and IMCA and typically IMCOZ has a favorable current.
It really depends on what you’re looking for in a race, but the beauty, history, and difficulty of IMLP makes it my favorite.
IMTX. Best run course around and there is only one “Hippie Hollow.”
Tim
This is kind of wanting to watch a movie and asking what everyone’s favorite movie is. You’ll get lots of variable opinions. Some people like horror movies and other people like comedies. If you have some idea of what you’d like in a course or location that will help pick which one you’d like or do best at
I like Ironman Coeur d’Alene. Pretty location/course, pretty decent crowd support, bike has enough hills to prevent the rampant drafting that you see in flat races. But I certainly have a bias since I live there
If I was to pick another US race I think I would pick between Wisconsin or Lake Placid based on the positive feedback/comment people have in the race. But they seem to each have some downsides. Wisconsin has crappy roads and snakes on the swim. Placid is probably one of the most expensive places to stay and the bike is one of the harder courses.
If you are looking for a faster (which you could interpret as ‘easier’) course - Arizona, Texas, and Florida would be your best choices.
I’d you are willing to cross the border, IM Canada (Pendicton) is supposed to be a fantastic venue (and has lots of history). Mont-Tremblant supposedly has pristine roads and is in a gorgeous setting
IMTX. Best run course around and there is only one “Hippie Hollow.”
Tim
I will give you the run but the swim venue sucks and it’s likely the worst bike course of all the US Ironman races. I liked the original bike course but the current bike course is fucking trash.
IRONMAN Lake Placid! Great, honest course. Great community vibe around town race week.
If you’re willing to cross the boarder it’s also hard to beat IMMT. I don’t like the course as much as Placid (though it’s a little quicker) but I think the logistics and atmosphere make it one of the best race week experiences anywhere in the world.
I’ve only done Coeur d’Alene and Lake Placid (both are great courses), but Lake Placid edges out CDA for me. I loved almost everything about that course, race day etc. Easy swim, challenging but beautiful bike, and tough but beautiful run.
Both courses have fantastic crowds/volunteers but finishing in the oval was something else! Both are expensive when it comes to lodging.
I’ve done most and without question IMLP is the one I’d choose if you want the most honest course in a great location and history.
And the swim is the easiest on the circuit with a cable marking the swim under the water in a small lake. For those with any swim stress issues, LP is your venue.
Now, the bike is one of the slower on the circuit as is the run but it’s such an honest course as a result and less drafting which I liked.
The oval finish is a nice touch and the last finisher experience there is second to none with fans liking the finish on the oval. Very cool the one time I was able to come back and watch that there.
Another vote for Coeur d’Alene.
I’ve done most and without question IMLP is the one I’d choose if you want the most honest course in a great location and history.
And the swim is the easiest on the circuit with a cable marking the swim under the water in a small lake. For those with any swim stress issues, LP is your venue.
Now, the bike is one of the slower on the circuit as is the run but it’s such an honest course as a result and less drafting which I liked.
The oval finish is a nice touch and the last finisher experience there is second to none with fans liking the finish on the oval. Very cool the one time I was able to come back and watch that there.
Choo is the easiest swim on the circuit and it’s not really close. Plus has a nice bike and honest run.
Lake Placid.
What is your favorite Ironman race, and why? I’m looking to sign up for a full ironman within the next year or so and am interested on hearing peoples opinions on different courses.
Ironman Lake Tahoe. You can’t find a better swim venue in the U.S. - just an incredible gem of an alpine lake. Hands down winner in that aspect. Beautiful and challenging bike course. Run along the river with the finish in the ski village was fantastic. Sadly no longer an option.
What is your favorite Ironman race, and why? I’m looking to sign up for a full ironman within the next year or so and am interested on hearing peoples opinions on different courses.
I’ll rank the ones I’ve done but it’s just an opinion and it could change depending on the day you ask me.
Kona (Did it on a Legacy Slot. don’t want to get accused of bragging about, “qualifying”.
IMMT ( I know it’s not US, but it’s close) Great local support, great location, great bike course, meh run course
Madison- Bike course suits me, best run course of the ones I’ve done.
Lake Placid- History, mountains. Lodging is kind of a pain.
Florida- Cheap, fast, great swim, family likes it as a vacation spot.
Chattanooga- Nothing wrong with it, one just had to be on the bottom. Great local support, course is fine, but nothing special, stupid hot the year I did it. Going back next weekend and hoping for cooler weather.
I’ve completed 16 full IM courses in North America, and my favorites were Coeur d’Alene and IM Canada in Penticton.
Choo is the easiest swim on the circuit and it’s not really close. Plus has a nice bike and honest run.
Choo and Placid are my favorites, probably because of the ez swim and hard bike. I’d lob Choo in as my best choice for someone bringing kids. There’s a children’s museum, aquarium, and giant climbing gym right near/on the race course. The run is such that you can see your person quite often if you want and grab an ice cream while you wait for them. There’s also some fun touristy stuff to do in the town in general outside of race day.
Can any of them beat the IMFL swim?
Back when it was a mass start, the Florida swim was epic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwYwUPVPLnM
If there was a better swim, send a link.
What do you feel made it a great swim? That a bunch of people were entering the water at the same time?