Trying to plan my ATP for next year. Deciding between these three for my fall iron-distance “A” priority race. Would love some feedback from any of you folks that have raced in these races. Course comparison/difficulty, race organization, things for family (2 kids under 7) to do, costs of accomodations, and any other noteworthy comments requested.
Thanks.
I’m doing GC in 06. Entry fee is only $285. 2 room hotel room with kitchen = $85/night. Very very very doable. I’ve heard the bike is pretty brutal, but I like hills. I also heard there was a lot of headwind last year. So, definitely not a PR race, but I’ve heard only good things about it’s inaugural year so far.
No info for you on DBD or GF…sorry…just haven’t done 'em and not planning on it.
The Grand Columbian was a great down home, 1st time event on a very challenging bike course with incredbile winds. I’ve heard others compare it to the World’s Toughest Half course, but not having done WTH I couldn’t say. Don’t expect fast times, but you will finish with a true sense of accomplishment having battled the course. It’s a point to point race. The run was along the Columbia River on compact trail and I thought was beautiful, although the short climb out to the finish line just about did me in.
Not a lot of big race hype, but is more than made up for with the hospitality and graciousness of the community. Best post race meal I’ve had.
It’s a beautiful remote area (not much for the kids to do though). I would expect good things from them in their 2nd year.
I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed on this one. Hope this helps…Hack
i was going to sign up for great floridian this week, and found that the 2005 event is full already. i don’t remember previous years filling up like that.
regarding my comment that the race is full… see: http://www.sommersports.com/events/greatfloridian/full/2005details.asp
it says: “2005 Great Floridian XV Race Information: Full”… perhaps they are talking about the ‘full’ distance? if you click through the registration process, it does not seem to stop you…
i thought that you can sign up for this up until shortly before the event.
Wow if Great Floridian is full, it did so in the past week. And, yes, I think that is a much earlier sell out than normal. May have just narrowed my choices.
I just checked it, its still open. I think you are seeing the Great Floridian:Full vs. Great Floridian:Half. Referring to the distance of the two races they hold as you suggest in your recent post.
I wish I could boast that the GFT is at capacity, but we have a ways to go before I can announce that. This year we are doing away with the Half GFT, so we will not have to reference “Half GFT” and “Full GFT” in all of our promotions. This does create some confusion. We will still have the half course, but it will be run under our Florida Challenge Triathlon name.
Now for some shameless self promotion -
This will be the Great Floridian’s 15th Anniversary and we’ll be pulling out all of the stops. For the past six year’s it has served as the USAT National Championship for the ultra-distance, and we hope to be the National Championship once again for 2005.
Our new downtown partnership is organizing a community festival in conjunction with the race, so there will be plenty of stuff to keep your friends and family busy while you are out on the course. October is the off season for Florida Tourism so room rates are cheap and plentiful. Area attractions like Disney World and Universal Studios are less than 30 minutes away and at this time of year the crowds are scarce.
The early entry fee for the GFT is only $250, $175 less than the m-dot races!
Don’t expect an easy course like Ironman Florida. We do have some hills in Central Florida and this course can be as challenging as Lake Placid or even Kona.
Next year’s race is on October 22, 2005. Check out all the details including race photos, race reports, and results on http://greatfloridian.com.
Fred
Do the GFT!! No, wait! What AG are you in, and how fast are you? If you’re in my AG and are faster than me, go do the other ones!! (hee-hee)
Seriously, you want home-town atmosphere with first-class race management and a damn challenging bike course? Do the GFT. Next year’s will be my 6th time at it, and I’ve had a blast at each one, regardless of where I finished in the standings.
Great job, Fred!
Tony
Thanks for the family info Fred. It’s helpful. And Tony I’m in 30-34 but trust me you need not worry. If I break 13 hours I’ll accomplish my goal. Won’t be competing for AG awards.
The Grand Columiban has turned out to be everything I had hoped and more. We had the worst winds any locals could remember, so I’m thinking the bike course will be a bit of a challenge but not brutal :-).
Sounds like they all (Blue Devil) are good races. As far as cost goes (Blue Devil), none are as cheap as the Blue Devil if you choose to raise enough money to cover the entry fee. They all (Blue Devil) sound like they are not “chip-shot” easy courses. I don’t know (Blue Devil) about the support on all the courses, but, the Blue Devil is first-rate…especially for the spectators. As far as the tater-tots, I’m sure there are (Blue Devil) many things for them to do in the Raleigh-Durham metropolis. If you are the least bit concerned about social consciousness issues, the Blue Devil is a not-for-profit volunteer-run corporation for the express purpose of providing money to cancer research/treatment/human support. It’s just me, but, I’d lean toward the Blue Devil.
PS, I hope people don’t get tired of me promoting this event. I will continue to do so unless Mr. Empfield instructs me to cease. I am in no way affiliated with the Blue Devil, I just like the race.
Disclosure: I train on PowerCranks, train/race on Rotor Cranks, and ride either a Yaqui (one of the best DD frames) or Titan Flex (one of the best beam-ers). I am not, nor have I ever been employed in the sports industry
Heh…I train (and race) on a '98 QR Kilo PR with a 9sp. Dura Ace group that I’ve never changed out. Really. I just jump on it and ride. And what’s the big deal with chain lube and all that other stuff, by the way? ;-))
But I confess, I had to change the bar handle tape back in January, finally. It was crumbling off in my hands and getting into the headset bearings, which are beginning to peep through the seal 
Tony
Big K, I know what you mean! I put that disclosure thing it there at reggiedog’s request. It’s too long. How do you suppose I should shorten it? Or, should I just bag it altogether? It is clutter for the most part.
So, titan, what are you trying to say? You’d race the Blue Devil?
I did Duke and GFT in 2002 which wasn’t bright, but I had the training time and wanted to do them both. They were my first two fulls, and GFT was 2 hours slower for obvious reasons. Here are some older thoughts on both:
Duke: Great cause, mostly tax deductible, rolling course and clean lake. Great aid stations. Course now is much different with 2 lap bike and 5 lap run all at Beaver Dam. This solves some transportation and transition issues, as well as makes parking very easy.
GFT: Good family area and you can stay in Orlando. Parking is a bear though. Transitions all very close together. One pretty short, but very steep hill (ok it’s not the Alps, but it is early in the course and after a 90 degree left turn). I used a 23 and didn’t have any issues. 3 run laps around the lake were spectator friendly. Excellent race expo.
No clue about Grand Columbian.
No smart ass slogan, witty quotes, or disclosures.
M in M asked: So, titan, what are you trying to say? You’d race the Blue Devil?
I think I might have (Blue Devil) some inclination towards that event (Blue Devil), but, it’s really hard to tell.
Who was the comedian on SNL that did the (Blue Devil) subliminal suggestion skits?
I’ve been thinking about the question and what sets The Grand Columbian apart from Duke Blue Devil or The Great Floridian – both reputed to be excellent races. The Grand Columbian Half and Iron are the USAT PNW regional championships so they are also a qualifiers for Team USA. The community is amazing…unlike The Blue Devil or the Great Floridian this event is the only thing going in an area of about 5,000 people and they are completly gaga for it. They’ve already voluntarily held a town meeting led by the mayor to discuss how to improve the 2005 event and the experience for the athletes. Over 80% of the funds are spent in the local economically depressed area with special focus on high school athletics, the Colville Indian Tribe, and local community groups. The post race food is exceptional including native american prepared Salmon and fry bread. Great race schwag including technical T, running cap.
But what really sets this event apart in the US is the venue. Its the reason, next to the community, the race was created. The water is crystal clear, 67-68 degrees with the US government ensuring there will be no current (they control the pumping stations from 300 below the dam). The bike course is challenging in the beginning then rolling hills in the first 60 miles. But what an amazing 60 miles. You can see mountain ranges over 90 miles away, 30-40 mile views. Desert sky. Quiet unlike you’ll hear (not) anywhere. Other than race vehicles you won’t see more than 5 cars in the first 60 miles the roads are yours…maybe 100 after that even though you are on major state highways. The bike course is not repititious loops. You ride through some of the most amazing geological area in the west. And then you finish riding over the largest concrete structure in North America. Transitions are hand-off to volunteers. The run is pancake flat (except the finish) along the Columbia River on a packed gravel trail. Only 450 feet on a paved city street (closed to traffic).
As to the area and the family. There are dam tours and a lazer light show against the dams spillway and hiking and boating etc. But more importantly (as a westerner my bias is) if you want your children to truly understand how great this country is, and what the plains and western environment mean…they should experience this part of the country. The Grand Coulee, Dry Lake, Steamboat Rock area were formed by a huge flood at the end of the ice age. Grand does not even begin to describe it. You and your family will never forget it.
Truth in advertising…accommadations will get tight as the race fills up if you want hotels. So register early. Tons of exceptional camping and home stays. I keep thinking the best strategy would be to rent an RV out of Spokane once the hotels fill up. The home stays will be pretty great though.