Howdy all… Did a race this weekend in South West North Carolina/ North East Georgia called The Lake Chatuge Half Ironman or as the race director started to call it The Beast of the East. Has been put on for a few years now and averages about 75 racers. This might of been the most beautiful course and site I have ever seen. They are putting it on again in September. Here is the site: http://www.gsmtc.com
Real low key, no chip timing or any of the tech stuff. But well run and fun.
But beware… this is no course if you are looking for fast fast times. The bike course is silly hard and the run is not much better.
Just a heads up if anyone is looking for a Half this time of the year or in September.
I don’t know why more people don’t do this race. It’s a monster. I’ve done it twice, although I didn’t opt for it this year. My training hasn’t been geared toward the long stuff at all, and I just couldn’t get around to it. Not only do they have the half IM up there, but they have a complete series of races that begins in early spring and finishes with a duathlon in November. It’s always wetsuit legal and the bike courses are absolutely beautiful but very difficult. On the shorter races, the run isn’t bad. But on the half IM, it’s pretty hard. Climbing up the backside of Chatuge Dam is just horrendous.
I’m in the flatlands of South Georgia, and there is just no way I can train for the hills of that course. But I enjoy the sense of accomplishment I get from saying that I finished that course. I’ve been in position to break 6 hours after the bike, but the hills just fry my quads, and my “run” is reduced to a shuffle that always puts me over the 6:00 mark.
The course is way more difficult than anything Clermont has to offer. I’ve talked to people who’ve done the big races out west, and they say that the Lake Chatuge course rivals anything in the country, especially when you factor in the heat and humidity, which can be quite oppressive at times.
I agree with you – more people need to discover this race. For those who like to gripe about drafting, it’s not an issue on this course. The field is small, and the hills spread everybody out pretty well. You might not see but a handful of fellow cyclists over the course of the ride.
I finished in 4:49 and was the first amatuer overall. A pro and an ex-pro whooped me pretty good.
yeah that hill back up the damn is a bit##. thankfully the leaders were too far ahead and the next guy behind me was 10 minutes, so I did not have to kill myself on the second trip.
Scott Hannah is putting on the half again in September.
Had a 2:38 bike split… my last half previously was a 2:23… yikes. no chance for drafting here. and i saw only three others the entire 56 miles!!!
I was there and must say I agree with Ken. By far, the hardest course I have ever done ( and I have done St. Kitts before!). Also the most scenic I’ve ever been to. Amazing stuff!
The hills on the bike are no joke, though. They go up and up and up, and then down and down and down. Barely any flats.
I drove down with Ken from Michigan. I did this race last year but there are no words that do the bike course justice. I finished in 5:09 which was a 9 minute improvement from last year. And that was with a slower bike (go figure) but a much faster run. This year I knew the dam was coming at me twice so I was ready! A great race that deserves more participants.
I did the race a couple years ago and it is a very nice low key event with a a tough course. When you call them they will actually tell you that the bike course is not very hilly, but that of course is relatively speaking when you look at the general area which is extremely hilly.
This race does not have all the aid stations and volunteers like Gulfcoast or races along those lines, but that makes it more challenging and exciting.
Herbert
Litespeed/QR
The lack of aid stations can be a problem. A couple of years ago (I wasn’t there; you may have been), it was brutally hot – well over 100 degrees. From what I understand, some people got into serious trouble during the run. And you’re right about the bike. Scott Hanna has told me several times that it isn’t very hilly. Compared to Hogpen Gap or Brasstown Bald, it may not be hilly. But compared to the coastal plain from which I come, that course has several hors categorie climbs on it.
That climb that crests at mile 12 of the bike is nasty. I have nightmares about that climb.
Did this race Saturday and agree it is a wonderful event. The swim was awesome and bike even better. The 30 minute rain shower mid way through the run just made my day. Just make sure you carry your own nutrition supplies on the bike and run. No water tables every mile like the big races but still a better event.
Four of us from Savannah did it as training for IMLP. Best hill training I’ve done all year.
It seems universally agreed that the Chatuge Half and new for 2005 as the Beast of the East in September http://www.gsmtc.com/october.htm is held on a great course. Beautiful trip. My wife did the race last year and we had a wonderful time. Is there anything your company can do to help grow this race?
We were going to make the trip to Chatuge again this year but opted for Auburn.