My GF(and possibly myself if I can build up to it) wants to do a half next year. Only problem is there doesn’t seem to be that many options in Ontario. I am only aware of 3 races(Peterborough, Graham Beasley and Canadian in Ottawa) that are at Half Distance. Possibly a Parry Sound one as well. She is a little concerned that the Canadian(which a lot of her friends are gearing towards at the moment), is a little close to a fall marathon, which if she doesn’t requalify for Boston in Boston, will be a major goal race for her.
So I said I would find out which races may be relatively close. We’re in London, ON, so Michigan is close by, Ohio would be about the same distance as Ottawa, and western New York is easy to get to. Any suggestions?
I know of two in MI. Steelhead is supposed to be a great race and is in August I believe. There is alost the Grand Haven Half which is part of a ‘Festival’ of races in early July. I did this race last year and the swim woudl have been great, but the waves were out of control and the swim was all but canceled. The bike was great, and the run was not so great, but I am going to assume that they will change this ortion for next year.
I’ve heard good things about Peterborough. The timing isn’t always good though. I was looking forward to doing the sprint last summer and I couldn’t do anything about work at the time. So it’s more having options.
If there are races to avoid I would certainly like to hear about those as well.
The Steelhead 70.3 is a great race on August 4th in Benton Harbor Michigan. Seeing the race as both a former participant and now as a coordinator, it is a terrific venue. The race site is on a beautiful Lake Michigan beach, the swim starts with a jump off the pier, and the bike course consist of rolling hills through the countryside. You can check out the info at steelheadtriathlon.com.
It is in Sylvania, Ohio which is on the Mich/ Ohio border about 50 miles from the bridge.
It is a great first timer and PR course. All flat and fast. I grew up in Sylvania and the ride the course/ area all the time. Nice small lake swim- no waves.
Musselman in Geneva, NY (hour East of Buffalo) is a GREAT race. Well run, good scenery. I did it as my first HIM two years ago, loved it. (They also have an athlete village with dormitory housing for those with spending restrictions/concerns)
I’ll second the Peterborough half which I did this year. The bike is secluded and on good roads through wonderful rolling countryside. The run is also nice. The swim is two loops with a beach start. The water is okay but not as clear as Parry Sound’s. Well organized with a good “event” feel to it.
I have done Ottawa half and it was pleasant enough (especially for spectators with the multiple loops) but I think I would give the nod to Peterborough. From London it should be very easy to get there on the 401 without any fear of border delays.
It is quite a haul from where you live but I really think the Whirlpool Steelhead Ford Ironman 70.3 Triathlon is a great event. The course is cool, the race organization is flawless and it is a challenging event. Big fun. Registration for the '07 event opens in January and will fill quickly.
I’d also chip in w/ Musselman. July 15, 2007.
In 2007 the half will be on Sunday and the sprint will be on Saturday. If you make it a weekend you guys can do both races.
Allow me to embellish the Musselman suggestion. It’s 400 kilometers from London in Geneva, NY, and easy to get to from Canada. You can celebrate a year of being soda-free because next year race weekend is July 14-15 - and plenty of time to recover for a fall marathon.
The reason wr’re moving the sprint race to Saturday and keeping the Half on Sunday, as another post pointed out, is because we’re hosting an ITU Pan American Cup on Saturday. We played with the schedule so all athletes could watch the race - multi-loop, draft legal, and $20,000 prize purse for the pros.
If you don’t mind walking a block between the swim and the bike, you’ll be able to see the pros for the entire 2-lap swim, 16 times on the bike, and 6 times on the run, in addition to the finish.
It’s a great way to fire up for the half the next day! And if you’re not up for a Half by then, you can do the sprint. We’d love to host you in the Finger Lakes.
Parry sound is a good course, but with a much smaller course than Peterborough. Something to think about: the Ontario races are WAY cheaper to enter than races in the US.
I don’t know why the US races are all so freakin’ expensive…we’re spoined by relatively low entry fees here in Ontario.
The Multisport Parry Sound race is off this year (road construction). However, rumour has it www.swyft.ca is considering a HIM in the Parry Sound area. Nothing announced yet though.