Which is a better venue? My first ironman was IMMOO which was very humbling. I am a little skeptical of GFT because of support (aid stations). I have read some race reports and I am not sure if it was because of the hurricane but it seems the support wasn’t there. Which would you choose for your second ironman?
2800 people on a dead flat course means I would never, ever, ever considering racing IM Florida. The stories of drafting and packs at that venue are unsurpassed. I could never have fun in that situation. Sticking to the smaller IM’s and those with some hills makes for much better racing.
IM brand
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I would recommend GFT. this year they had a few problems with the aid stations but not that bad and not typical - all due to hurricane and volunteers not showing up. less crowded swim and bike and great support from volunteers during the run. Great crowds. Mad dog aid station really made life at that point more enjoyable.
I did the GFT last year and the aid stations were some of the best I have ever seen ( especially the playboy mansion one!) One house had a huge slip and slide set up for the racers too but I didnt see any takers. I am doing IM Florida next week and will report which I liked better. I will tell you that GFT is quite steep at points and 3 loops around the lake kinda takes its toll one the brain.
I just raced GFT as my first… I was satisfied as a 12:19 finisher… with the support and aid stations. However, I’m not sure I would want to do that course if I was planning on being a 13+ finisher. It get’s real lonely out there.
Never done GFT, but I would have a hard time passing up IMFL for GFT. Yes, there is a lot of drafting, just like every other IM race. I have a hard time believing any other IM has less- they all kind of suck in this regard. Still, Florida is nice. The beach is great, the water perfectly clear, and the town is almost empty for the race making it cheap for hotels and airfare. I really prefer the prerace atmosphere of Florida to Madison. Of course the bike and run really suck compared to Madison as you wont find thousands of hot chicks lining the course. Still, the weather makes for a really nice treat for us northern athletes and the beach makes for more fun for anyone else that might be coming with you. The race is great, well put together and will give you everything you need. Good luck with your decision!
Yes, there is a lot of drafting, just like every other IM race. I have a hard time believing any other IM has less
according to the results from this year’s GFT, there were only 366 people competing. although i wasn’t there, judging by that number i would guess there was a lot less drafing going on than in most of the IM races.
I supose this is true. I really was refering to M-dot (IM) versus Iron-distance races. Sorry if this was confusing. The main point being that drafting is a problem at every IMNA event.
Given those numbers, GFT would appear as a very lonely race. I am not sure if that’s true, or good or bad if it is, but mearly an observation from a numbers point of view.
Done 'em both, and they both get high ratings from me. No trouble with aid stations on the bike at GFT in '03. “Everyone” sez IMFL is “easier” and I agree. A much faster friend puts the time differential at 30-45 minutes, which sounds about right. The hills on the bike course at GFT are not to be taken lightly. Of course if you fancy yourself a climber, GFT might look better.
But the bottom line is you can’t go wrong - both are run extremely well, just a whole lot more people at IMFL. I am doing IMFL again in 6 days, and would not rule out a return to GFT some day.
Ben
yeah, i was talking about M-dot races too. there are probably quite a few iron distance races with pretty low numbers. i agree, with only that many people out there with you, it could get pretty lonely, especially for the later finishers. problem is, they are probably the ones who would appreciate the company most.
If your looking for the easy course, then do IMFL - GFT is a tough course.
If your looking for a beach resort for the family - go to IMFL
If the family wants to go to Disney, go to GFT.
If you can not make a decision and do not want to sign up one year in advance then go to GFT - you can sign up the day before the race.
Z
on the lonely issue, the bike is two 56mi loops, and the run is a looped course with 5 loops, so lots of company there.
I could never consciously choose a flat ironman and feel comfortable with myself. I seem to be the only one who feels this way, but that’s the way I feel. so I would definitely say GFT.
one other strike against IMFL is that it is soo late…none of summer left to enjoy after it’s done. now, GFT isn’t so early either, but it’s not quite so bad.
I did GFT last year as my first ID and it was very humbling!
I did another ID this year, with merely rolling hills, the Duke Blue Devil and PR’d by 1.5h to 12:30 and was superhappy.
The GFT is a tough course, especially for the Full!
I loved the Half though.
But if you had trouble with the difficulty of the Wisconsin course I’d recommend IMFL which is likely to give you a fast time. Then come back to the GFT another year…
The years I raced the GFT it was very well run and never lonely (even with my late finish at my lousy first ID attempt)
after racing the GFT last year and the rolling hills of the Duke Blue Devil this year I told myself, next IM is going to be FLAT==IMFL, unfortunately I’m already signed up for IM MOO next year…oh well, back to the hill training…
I think the problems they had at the GFT this year were really due to the storm, it is a great race, very nice venue and very well run…
2800 people on a dead flat course means I would never, ever, ever considering racing IM Florida.
What he said…
I’ve done both, and after reading most everyone’s replies, there is a lot of truth to what has already been stated. Background. I did the 1999 Inagural IMFL. as my first IM. Good experience, flat, fast, “walk in the park” (compared to any other venue) course. I did GTF in 2003. It was the “new” bike course. Road was sketchy in one section, and delt w/ traffic, but you know, w/ so much construction going on all over the US, that’s life. The hills are all in one section, someone measured it and said it was a total of 5,000 vertical ft. of climbing. The big hill on the run at mile 2-3 is kind of like Palani (pay and save hill) in HI. Plenty of folks at both the bike and run aid stations.
Orlando - Did Disney, saw a Cirque show.
Panama - The beaches are beautiful.
Seems like there are more and more NON-Mdot races out there. I’m doing one in 2 wks. The Silverman in Nevada. www.silvermannv.com The course is a doosy, (hills, hills and more hills) not sure if all the roads are completed, OR if the director has enough volunteers. No gatorade, Amino Vital instead. It’s all good, just another chance to test the ol’ mind and body, and spirit. I’ll follow up w/ an update. Good luck in your decision betw/ IMFL or GFT.
Shannon
I’ve only done GFT and 1/2 GFT, but have to make sure anyone knows that the race this year was a bit of an anomoly. Hurricane bloody Wilma was bearing down on us, and it was touch and go whether the race was on or not. Hence the number of people who didn’t show up to race (I heard 250) and for sure, a large number of volunteers weren’t able to make it either. Given that, the race was still very well organised, and I think we had to allow for a few of the water stops (early on the run) weren’t supplied with an overabundance of water or people. I think the bike stops were fine (for the half, anyway). Whatever, it’s still a very good challenge, hills and heat make for a testing day, but the people (racers and volunteers)make it a great race.
Cheers
Barry