Checking the HITS page yesterday I noticed the Michigan and Wisconsin dates for there series have been removed. Checking there FB page the only comment they made is that they removed them from the 2012 race schedule.
I thought the Michigan dates in early October were very strange timing, especially since it can easily be snowing in northern Michigan in early October but the Wisconsin dates during the summer months would’ve been at a nice time. The area of the Michigan race would be an outstanding area for a half and full iron race if they could improve the timing. Wonder if the small turnouts for the half and fulls have them reevaluating there series?
October in Traverse City would have been dicey anyways. I do think Traverse City would be a great venue for any triathlon race; just July - early September.
After our post, I posed a question to 'HITS"…They responded that Ft. Collins is on, did not mention those two in their reply…Of course I do not think they would sat its not on. However, they said that is there largest event and with the location, I could believe it
I went through the races on there schedule in the last week or two and noticed that Michigan and Wisconsin were the only ones that the registration link wasn’t up and running yet which had me wondering if they would happen so I wasn’t real surprised to see them removed when I checked yesterday. Wasn’t sure if the Wisconsin race would’ve been hurt by the likes of Racine 70.3 or IMMOO.
I hope there other events do better and have some decent numbers, none of the other HITS races workout with my training and work schedule for 2012.
This is what i was afraid of, they did not consult with any of the local people in any of their venues, and now they are finally finding out that the weather in most of their races is shit. I think this months race is in texas, hello, it is the dead of winter there too now. But i guess you will at least get to see dave scott at this race, so that should be worth it…
I thought the same thing. Weather for an October tri in Traverse city could be anything- 70 degrees and sunny or 34 degrees and raining sideways.
I’ve often wondered why Steve Brown, The Iceman, who produces the Subaru Iceman Cometh Mountain Bike Race hasn’t hosted an event in Traverse City during the summer. I know he is busy with sailing events, but that also gives hima unique perspective on swim venues. He’s well connected in the area and puts on a great event.
There have been tris in the Traverse City area before during the summer. It’s a natural venue with beautiful water and fantastic roads.
There is a LARGE company that has taken a look at hosting events there. The current cherry capital airport and subsequent flights to the area (and their prices) is the problem for hosting anything on a big scale.
A full distance in the area would rival Ironman Canada.
My buddy always comes to work after the Iceman and when people ask him what he did over the weekend he says “rode bikes with Gary Fischer”. Sounds like a fun event.
Amen to those weather concerns. There are plenty of great sprint and Olympic races up there, but it does seem like logistics would be difficult for a major (m-dot, Rev 3) long course race…it certainly would be great in terms of scenery, varied terrain, etc. There’s a strong multisport community up there.
If you fly into GRR, the airfare costs go lower and the drive between Traverse City and Grand Rapids really isn’t bad at all. I remember seeing teams from TC driving down to GR all the time when I was in high school because Grand Rapids was effectively the nearest large high school competition.
That’s a great analogy (Subaru Ironman Canada) since Penticton and Traverse City have a lot in common. I hear WTC has been sniffing around there. A Ford Ironman Michigan would be a natural considering its proximity to Dearborn and Ford World Headquarters (OK, 5 hour drive, but same state at least).
The Leelanau Penninsula would make a killer bike course and the bay an awesome swim.
One thing about the area though, Traverse City is already home to some huge summer and winter events. Their calendar, especially around Cherry Festival (July?) is pretty full.
There are hotels in the region to support the event like the very nice Grand Traverse Resort, home of the Subaru Iceman Cometh Mountain Bike Challenge.
If WTC went to Traverse City for a hypothetical Ford Ironman Michigan, they wouldn’t be disappointed. It would be a great venue with a lot of good local support.
This may be somewhat off topic with what the OP had in mind, but I figured with all the Michigan triathlon talk I would chime in to inform anyone in the area that Endurance Evolution puts on a fantastic race up in TC in mid-to-late August using Bowers Harbor for the swim and the Old Mission Peninsula for the bike and run. They offer sprint and olympic distance races for a very reasonable price. I have raced/volunteered multiple times and can say that it has always been organized very well. So, if you were planning on doing the HITS series race because you wanted to race in TC (although in reality the race wasn’t going to be in TC anyway, but a bit outside the city) maybe take a look at the Endurance Evolution race.
*Disclaimer: I am very good friends with the race directors/organizers.
This may be somewhat off topic with what the OP had in mind, but I figured with all the Michigan triathlon talk I would chime in to inform anyone in the area that Endurance Evolution puts on a fantastic race up in TC in mid-to-late August using Bowers Harbor for the swim and the Old Mission Peninsula for the bike and run. They offer sprint and olympic distance races for a very reasonable price. I have raced/volunteered multiple times and can say that it has always been organized very well. So, if you were planning on doing the HITS series race because you wanted to race in TC (although in reality the race wasn’t going to be in TC anyway, but a bit outside the city) maybe take a look at the Endurance Evolution race.
*Disclaimer: I am very good friends with the race directors/organizers.
The endurance evolution TC Tri is an absolute blast. I have raced it every year since its inception and I don’t plan on letting that streak end this year.
At last years race there were rumors that they were going to put on a 70.3 race in the Traverse City area. I haven’t heard anything else about it but if they were to put one on I would sign up in a second.
Tom I would like to do one of Endurance Evolutions races. The TC race is the same day as Battle of Waterloo multi stage and im in for that. As mentioned EE had said they were going to run a half iron in 2012 but as of this date havent announced anything on it.
The hits race just worked out with other races and my work schedule to be an add on race. Not to mention Id like to do a half or full in northwest Michigan as it could be a real challenging venue
Thanks for the EE love, everyone. We’re glad to hear that you enjoy the TC Tri.
Yes, a half-iron is still on our radar, but our original venue wasn’t as welcoming as we had hoped. At this point, it’s looking like 2013 is more realistic for that race. Bummer, I know.
We do have three new races for 2012: a snowshoe race in February, a half marathon and 5K in June, and a sprint tri in central Michigan in August. We’re finalizing details on that last race, so we hope to make the official announcement late this week or early next week.
And of course we’re looking forward to the fourth Traverse City Triathlon on August 19. More info for all of these races can be found on the website.