The IM 70.3 Branson Lodging link is up on the IM 70.3 Branson website. There are some FANTASTIC prices for athletes that book through this link. The host hotel is next right next to the swim site and the race expo/registration will take place at this property. All of the hotels offering discounts are between 1-15 miles of the venues. Check it out at http://www.ironmanbranson.com/lodging.php
Has finish location been determined yet??
Branson Landing will be the finish/run course.
In front of the fountains/fire show.
Look for all courses to be finalized and posted by the end of September. The bike will not be as hilly as what all the experts on here make it out to be. It will be more in lines with Kansas’ bike course…maybe faster:)
Also: if Onetimepad is out there…your name came up in a Chamber meeting…you are famous! They had a good laugh at your diatribe 
I can’t wait for this. My wife has been bugging me about Branson so many times. We live in KC and will be now making several trips down there, just to make it a training camp for the race.
I have only joked in my posts about Branson as I have never been there. I have flown in and out of Northern Arkansas and it is beautiful. Branson is near by.
I know Onetimepad personally, I think he was joking more than real. He will be racing it too. So great to have two awesome races near Kansas City. I was looking at traveling to other 70.3 events, but you took care of that. Sounds like a lot of fun down there.
atasic- Glad to hear you are excited…we are too! Yes, the area is gorgeous!
Onetimepad’s post was epic…absolutely hilarious! While there is always truth in comedy…most of the experiences he spoke of will not be part of our ‘race experience’…not unless your into that sort of thing…then by all means…GO FOR IT! Perhaps we should have OneTime write up a travel guide? I don’t know OneTime but he sounds like he would fit in perfect with our Carnie Crew.
Seriously though…Branson has everything an organizer could hope for in a venue.
World Class Swim Venue: Check -One of America’s clearest/cleanest lakes!
Host Hotel Within footsteps to Swim Start: Check (beautiful hotel) www.chateauonthelake.com
Bike Course: Check it out for yourself! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Natq2ZTvA (at least part of it)
Run Course: Highly populated area with plenty of things to do for spectators: Check (Branson Landing)
Airport: Check. Brand new airport in Branson! supporting several daily flights. www.flybranson.com
Aggressive Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Tourism is what they do…and they are good at it. Closing down streets and putting on productions is a weekly occurence for them. They are also eager to attract and host a different demographic then what they are accustomed to. They are also eager to disspell OneTime’s stereotypical view of Branson.
Host hotel…with swim venue in the background.
Run Course through the Landing
Our tri club swims at the swim venue all summer. It is awesome.
The hotel nearby will be SUPER nice. Roll out of bed and walk to the swim start.
Two transitions will be logistically a bit more complex but this course is exactly what you think of when you imagine an Ironman experience. Will be very memorable. Can’t wait!
I’m headed up to see the IM 70.3 Branson Site in a few weeks. We will have the courses drawn up after this visit and then on the web site. Athletes will then be able to swim, ride and run the courses all summer long in 2010! Looking forward to putting on another World Class IM 70.3. Z