I have a friend who is a moderate swimmer and newbie triathlete…has a couple of Olys under his belt and so he asks me to suggest a HIM for him since that is one of his goals this season…so what can you all suggest from the following criteria:
Later in the year…Aug, Sept, Oct
reasonably close to the Central US (from StL MO)
Prefer a two loop swim
Solid, well-run event with great on-course support
My first inclination was Muncie but there is NO WAY I can see him out in the middle of that lake on a one loop swim…he’s just not that confident yet…
Close to STL, September 5, well run, one-loop swim, good support (if you dont mind Hammer products), and pretty small: http://www.mattoonmultisport.com/
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I was going to suggest Muncie for proximity, easy course, long standing/well run event. But its earlier in the season and its a one loop swim
Steelhead is early August, well run event, and even though the swim is 1 “loop” you’re hugging the shoreline and therefore its not as intimidating for newbie open water swimmers…but the drive will be long and the swim did get canceled last year
As one OP suggested, the race at Deer Creek is right timing, its well run, the bike will have more roll to it than Muncie and Steelhead, long drive.
Out of those three, Muncie likely poses the highest risk in having this be a positive experience…earlier in season and you go way out on the lake. However, if he has the opportunity to get in some open water swims, preferably with some other tri folk to get used to some bumping around in the water, his confidence will go up dramatically and that risk will likely be mitigated.
The swim at Steelhead 70.3 is a point to point right along the beach. Not bad for the newbs. It’s the beginning of August and a very flat and fast bike course. Lots of newbies do it.
He needs to review what he can reasonably accomplish—sounds like he needs to work on the swimming including open water drills. He also need to plan a wetsuit legal 70.3. Timberman is sold out but there may be some charity slots available.
He might be a good fit for the Augusta 70.3…river point-to-point swim…most likely wetsuit legal, etc…and later in the year to give him all summer to work on that swim…he’s done an Oly swim reasonably well now so it’s only another 400m…
Well run event, flat fast course with plenty of time to get ready, swim is not 2 loop but with the current and very fast…i didn’t race it last year but volunteered it was very well run (as are all Set Up races) and looked like a blast. Water was a little cold so a full suit is probably best if your friend is a slow swimmer…
Steelhead would be perfect. Swim is very nice - along the shore with the current. Bike course has rolling hills, but is very fast. www.steelheadtriathlon.com
This race is a little earlier; July 19th, but I will suggest it anyway. Spirit of Racine is a point to point swim along the shore of Lake Michigan and last year it’s deepest point was about 6.2 feet. At almost all points you could stand and walk in the water if you wanted to. I saw several people stop at various points on the swim. The run and bike are pretty flat too.
And there is a ton of support at this race, both from fans and the people who put it on.
sorry for the misleading post i didn’t realize that the link i posted didn’t have the title. The half I was talking about being flat, fast and having a swim with the current is Beach 2 Battleship in Wilmington NC. They also have a full, the race was very well run last year and seemed like a good one for a first timer, hoe it helps, you can check out the link to the race in my first post.