I’m trying to figure out which races to do next year in the New England (though Northeast for a good race) area… it’s my 2nd year, and I’d like to do some good ones that are fun as far as course, race organization, spectator friendliness (if possible) and fit into a decent season. So far I’ve only signed up for one, Timberman in August… help me plan out my year… I will likely do a few sprints in there to fill the time, and check my improvement over 2008. But I’m looking for suggestions for a 2nd HIM, and for some olympic distance…
Feb
1/2 Marathon
Mar
April
May
Local sprint (was my first ever, would like to redo it for kicks)
June
July
August
Timberman
September
Pumpkinman (possibly)
October
Looking for some Oly distances in the June/July timeframe. Any suggestions?
I would highly recomend Mooseman in early June. You get a choice of a Half or an Oly. In September I really like Lobsterman in Maine. Both of those are fun, well organized and fairly spectator friendly. They are not easy races though, they aren’t crazy hard but they do have hills as pretty much everything in NE does.
A very emphatic x2 on the Mooseman. In many respects, it was my favorite race this year. Things in its favor:
Great scenery.
Very organized and well-run.
Plenty of climbing in the early part of the bike course. Great for spreading everybody out a little (and this is the opinion of an extremely MOP swimmer, who usually exits T1 in the middle of a huge crowd).
Great post-race party.
Camping is available nearby. Very economical - I like it especially because I don’t sleep well before races, and with the early wake-up, I don’t really feel like money spent on hotels is a very good value.
BTW, you would consider the Lobsterman hilly? Gorsh, I must just be really used to that sort of thing from riding in Maine. I honestly thought it was the flattest race I’ve done.
You don’t say where in New England you are, but if you are in VT, or not too far away, there are some great, low-key, but excellent races put on by VT Sun. They have a couple sprints, and Oly, and a Half here: http://www.vermontsun.com/triathlon.html
The Shelburne Athletic club also has a series of low-key but beautiful sprints. These races are small, but well run. They don’t have a schedule for 2009, but it doesn’t vary too much. Here is their schedule for 2008: http://www.racevermont.com/schedule.php
I did the Mooseman Oly two years ago and it is a great race. I also suggest you look at Musselman Half. They also have a sprint. This is my second-favorite race ever.
BTW, you would consider the Lobsterman hilly? Gorsh, I must just be really used to that sort of thing from riding in Maine. I honestly thought it was the flattest race I’ve done.
Compared to almost every race in Quebec it’s beyond catagory. In reality it’s a bit more than rolling on the bike and running up away from the park for the start of the run isn’t appreciated if you’re not having a good day.
X2 on the Vermont Sun races. I’ve only ever done the Oly but I think they’re all in the same location. Very low key, and friendly. The race I did was not USAT and there were no draft marshals, amazingly nobody drafted.
Now that I’m thinking of it, if you’re in Maine, or plan to vacation here, there are a few small, no-frills, largely unadvertised races that I could recommend in the Midcoast area. (Non USAT sanctioned, and inexpensive.) Challenging and attractive courses, and we often have a few Kona qualifiers and other very competitive athletes dropping in while they’re on vacation.
I live in MA. But am willing to go a bit further for some good racing. Last year I did: Hyannis, Cohasset, Falmouth, CranberryCountry and a couple of even smaller races here and there. I liked Cohasset a lot, and might do their new 3 race series for 2009. But will likely use any sprint races as training events in preperation for the HIM’s.
Can’t go wrong with Mooseman and Pumpkinman. Both are top notch organizations. You should also look at Cohasset (June) and Gloucester (August), both are Sprint distances.
Cranberry Triathlon (International, August) is a fast course and has a great post race BBQ. It is organized by Sun Multisport (Expo, Patriot Half)
If you feel a bit adventurous, you should try one of the Winter Triathlons or duathlon organized by Channel Multisport. Check www.wintermultisport.com for more details. Charlie offers 3 races to keep you motivated thru the long New England Winter. If you don’t feel like skiing, find a buddy who does and enter the relay category.
Now that you mention the Cape Cod races, do you know anything about the schedule for next season? I heard that there was going to be an extra one to make up for the canceled race. My parents live down there, and I’d love to be able to race when I’m visiting them.
Regarding the cape cod races, I don’t know about an extra one, but the schedule is up… www.timeoutproductions.com
Hyannis II is the makeup event for last years canceled race, happens to be the same weekend as pumpkinman. Not sure if I should do the free (already paid for?) race or pumpkinman.
I did enjoy Hyannis I and Falmouth. Plus they are the closest races to my house, so it’s nice to sleep in my own bed and not wake up at 3 in the morning.
Jan
Derry 16 mile Boston Prep
Feb
Sheraton Hyannis Half Marathon
Mar
Stus 30k and/or New Bedford Half Marathon
April
Cohasset 10k
May
Local sprint (was my first ever, would like to redo it for kicks)
June
Mooseman
July
Black Fly
August
Timberman
September
Duxbury Beach Triathlon
Pumpkinman (possibly)
October
.
I just signed up for my first half, the Providence Rhode Island 70.3, end of July. This is the inaugural event, is anyone familiar with the course layout?
Regarding the cape cod races, I don’t know about an extra one, but the schedule is up… www.timeoutproductions.com
Hyannis II is the makeup event for last years canceled race, happens to be the same weekend as pumpkinman. Not sure if I should do the free (already paid for?) race or pumpkinman.
I did enjoy Hyannis I and Falmouth. Plus they are the closest races to my house, so it’s nice to sleep in my own bed and not wake up at 3 in the morning.
I checked out the website, but could only find the 2008 schedule. Am I missing something?
I’ve got tentative plans to do Pumpkinman next year, as well.