I went through the Motion Based database of GPS data on elevation gain for all of the IM courses in the world. There are a few missing. I took the first five “legit” GPS downloads for each course and averaged them. i was struck by the variation from download to download–frequently 2000 vertical feet. In any event, here are the results of that analysis (total positive vertical elevation change in feet):
I would be suspicious of the reliablity/accuracy of the values giving since the author averaged the numbers in Motionbased from unknown users’ accounts. In motionbased you can set if you want your elevation corrected or not, so if the user chose not to it can give very different results than when the corrections are on.
If you go over a flat bridge (over a river say), where you have zero gain/lost on the road, most mapping units can register any where from 50 to 500 feet elevation change as it reads up and down the embankment. The mapping software views the road as molding to the contour of the land it is on. The more bridges/overpasses the more this adds up. Not sure that it would add up to 2000 feet for IMFL, but it does add up.
If you are in hilly terrain, the effect is magnified even more. IE. if you take a bridge over a 500 ft ravine, you get credit for climbing that revine.
This is pretty much worthless…Lake Placid is off by 1800 feet, Florida is off by 2000 feet, and Louisville is off by another 1500-2000…Place little to no value in the data from motion based.
The Ironman Hawaii bike course is a 1 loop course, heading up the west coast of the big island to Hawi. Starting at T1 you will follow the town roads towards the Queen K, a non-technical course perfect for aerobars. Comprised of mainly rolling hills the only elevation you need to be concerned with is the 12 mile climb towards Hawi, which is also the turn around point. The ironman hawaii bike course is well paved and clearly marked. Besides the lava fields the course is known for its legendary winds, hence why disc wheels are not used.
Ironman Hawaii Bike Course records Normann Stadler (GER - 2006) – 4:18:23, Paula Newby-Fraser (ZIM - 1993) – 4:48:30
Ironman Hawaii Bike Course Elevation Total(ft)
Total Elevation
9,798
Elevation Gain
4,901
Elevation Loss
4,896
Start Elevation
68
Finish Elevation
73
Min. Elevation
67
Max. Elevation
669
Grade Average % Maximum %
Overall Grade
0.0
Ascent
1.9%
8.8%
Descent
-1.5%
-8.4%
Distance Distribution miles % of total
Distance
112
100%
Ascent
15
14%
Descent
15
14%
Flats
82
72% Aid Stations: approximately every 10 miles, serving:
· Gatorade Endurance Formula (orange)
· Water
· PowerBar Gels
· PowerBars
· Oranges
· Bananas
I went through the Motion Based database of GPS data on elevation gain for all of the IM courses in the world. There are a few missing. I took the first five “legit” GPS downloads for each course and averaged them. i was struck by the variation from download to download–frequently 2000 vertical feet. In any event, here are the results of that analysis (total positive vertical elevation change in feet):
France 11193
Lanzarote 10282
Lake Placid 7911
Austria 7829
Australia 7659
Louisville 7578
Switzerland 7505
Wisconsin 7353
Canada 6719
Coeur D�Alene 5851
Brazil 5419
Germany 5281
S. Africa 5182
Hawaii 4554 (another source gives 4901)
Arizona 3824
W. Australia 2538
Florida 2007
I did 3 of it and the values are completely over-estimated. Switzerland was around 5000 feet and is now (2 instead 3 loops) more around 3500. Arizona is around 1400 feet and Hawaii is around 4800 feet. I also trained on French IM and it is around 6000 feet (174km).
Austria is clearly also complety wrong.
These numbers are seriously flawed. Unless you are going to Japan to preview the course, I suggest determining the elevations yourself by using an upgraded version of Google Earth or map-my-ride, both of which would be more accurate than these estimates. Failing that, trust the info on the event’s website before relying on these stats. For instance, examine the logic of the data at opposite ends of this list. I am pretty sure that Lazarote has little more than 9000’, and France – while its website claims about 6200’ – actually feels closer to 7500+; however, there’s no way it’s more than Lazarote, much less 11,000+'. At the bottom of the list, ask yourself how is it possible for IMFL and AZ to have such elevations? Common sense estimates lead even a semi-knowledgeable observer to conclude that virtually all of the rcmioga.blogspot’s numbers are misleading at best. Do your own homework.