Good morning STers,
I’m planning my race schedule for 2015 and am planning on doing an 70.3 in late summer/early fall. Can anyone provide suggestions as to a good course would be for a rookie? My background is primarily Sprint distance but I’ve completed with two Olympic distance races too. My initial thought was Eagleman, but I’ve heard the course is brutal. Any suggestions would be a great help.
Thanks.
If you’re looking on the east coast, a few good “first timer” half distance events that come to mind:
While I haven’t done Eagleman, my wife has, and it’s flat and fast, and usually hot.
If you want to wait until October, Beach 2 Battleship is a great course (tide assisted swim, flat bike & run)
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Depending on your swim background, you might also consider Augusta 70.3 at the end of September.
If you’re a good swimmer then you’d be better off at Eagleman (although Eagleman is June 14th, not late summer). A weaker swimmer does better at Augusta.
Toughman Wetchester (http://toughmantri.com/) on Sept 13, 2015
Well run race, not very crowded.
Swim in the Hudson, closed bike course (on Route 9A), slightly hilly run, but pretty much all in the shade.
I also did Black Bear last year, which had a crazy trail run, including a gravel scramble up the side of a dam.
I would not recommend that for a first 70.3…
Personally, I’d find the one closest to my house and do that one. Then, if I like the distance, I’d branch out. My $0.02
Princeton 70.3 not a bad choice…wetsuit legal lake swim, flattish bike and run, easy logistics. Eagleman can be (and usually is) brutally hot and humid. If you are not married to a WTC branded race then there are a bunch of independent Northeast fall races to consider…Quakerman ¶, Shoreman (NJ), Toughman (NY), Diamondman (DE), MightyMan (NY). I know Challenge/REV3 has also taken up the old IM 70.3 Poconos…but unless they significantly changed the logistics from the old race I would stay away…it was not a good race from an organizational/logistics standpoint…l spent more time on shuttles and waiting in lines than racing
I appreciate all the feedback. Thanks everybody! Augusta 70.3 and Princeton look to be pretty beginner friendly. I’ll definitely look at those. I’ve done a few Piranha races and liked them, so I’ll take a look at Diamondman too.
On the east coast, you’ve got a lot of non-ironman brand options that will be a much better experience: Patriot Half, Pumpkinman, and Musselman are all really well run races with quiet, safe and uncrowded bike courses (something I haven’t experienced at many ironman events).
Depends where you are, but I’d put the Barrelman half in Niagara Falls out there as well. I did it this fall - excellent race.
I appreciate all the feedback. Thanks everybody! Augusta 70.3 and Princeton look to be pretty beginner friendly. I’ll definitely look at those. I’ve done a few Piranha races and liked them, so I’ll take a look at Diamondman too.
I do the NJ State Championship OLY race which is held at the same (Mercer) park as Princeton 70.3. I was also a spectator with a buddy who participated in this past Princeton race and he liked it. Easy parking, transition area, nice flat bike course.
Hey guys,
I’m in the same boat as the OP, looking to jump up to a 70.3 for 2015. I’m leaning toward more of an end of season so I can work in a couple more OLY’s during the season
The coach I work with and some of his athletes really like Timberman, but the reviews I see seem to complain about the bike course being crowded and the road conditions, especially on the descents.
Anyone have opinions or thoughts on that race? It’s an odd time of year being in August, but I’m considering it.
Thanks!
Having raced Timberman, as well as Rev3 (now Challenge) Maine: if you’re looking for a big-brand event, go do Challenge Maine. 1 week after Timberman and a far more enjoyable experience, IMO. Ocean swim, really fun bike course (vs the generic out-and-back that is Timberman) and a single-loop run course that isn’t super punishing.
Of course, another phenomenal option is Pumpkinman a couple weeks later, especially if you prefer lake to ocean swims.
Cool, thanks!
I’m by no means committed to a big brand event, and yeah, I was looking at Pumpkinman as well. Definitely interesting.
I do like the idea mentioned in a previous post about staying close to home for the first one, but the two that would probably be closest to me are Challenge Atlantic City and Princeton. I guess throw Challenge Poconos in there as well.
The run course for Challenge just seems brutal to me. I can’t imagine running laps on the boardwalk with all of that foot traffic, although with all of the casinos closing, it might be a ghost town. It’s in June.
And I kind of heard the same complaints about Princeton as far as road conditions and the number of turns on the course…but a better time of year for my plan of later in the season.
OP,
Who is going to the race with you? Wife, GF, parents? Ask THEM where they want to “vacation” for the weekend… And then find a race based on location. Or, find your favorite location, and get their buy in.
Supporting a triathlete is a tough gig sometimes. I think we can all make it easier on our crew by selecting races based on locations the spectators and family will enjoy.
Since we are on the subject, anyone know when Princeton sold out last year?
Has anyone ever done/heard anything about the Martha’s Vineyard 70.3 race? Also looking at my first 70.3 this summer.
+1
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The swim and run at timberman are awesome, as are the maple syrup awards. BUT the bike course is horrendous. Crowded and open to traffic (and there’s a lot of it). As I mentioned above - Patriot, Pumpkinman, Musselman, and Montauk are great events. I’ve also heard good things about Savageman and Toughman.
Since we are on the subject, anyone know when Princeton sold out last year?
if i remember; about 1-2 months prior. I remember looking at it in sept and it was def sold out then.