Hey British and other Triathletes who race in England,
My dream is to race full course in the country of my wife’s ancestry. Could you comment on the comparison of what you have heard or learned about the two races above which can be done in July?
If not, can you direct me to a message board that would be appropriate?
Thanks!
For this year 2011, Ironman Bolton is sold out unless you wish to pay extra for a charity slot. The Outlaw is still open and accepting entries.
Firstly I do not have first hand race experience of either event but have volunteered at a number of the Ironman UK 70.3 events and also at the first Outlaw full distance last year.
Bike courses for both events had not yet been fully confirmed when I last looked so at this time assume that you will not have full closed roads on either although there will be a lot of marshalled support and a level of additional Police traffic support at both events. I cannot speak for the Bolton event but from experience have found that the team behind the Outlaw seem to culture very good working relationships with Police forces in relation to traffic management at various events around the country of different sizes.
I do not have experience of the venue layout for Bolton (IMUK) so perhaps someone else can help there. With regards to the Outlaw it is based at a watersports centre close to Nottingham. The swim is 1 lap out and back of the rowing lake which has very good viewing visibility and also allows family and friends access via the opposite site to any road restrictions. Part of the multi lap run is also around the lake so your supporters can stay in one place with facilities if they wish.
IMUK has a different event management team this year with a history of sports marketing so we will see how they go but there is no reason to expect any problems. The management team behind the Outlaw also have a long history of successful and popular events.
If you were here in September we also have Challenge coming to the UK for the first time so are now spoiled for choice with regard to full distance events being run by bigger professional event management companies. Based upon the size of the UK IMO having 3 big brand names here will certainly benefit athletes due to the competition to put on the ‘best show in town’. Challenge have scored the greatest coup to date though as they are the first to get a fully close bike course, something almost unheard of in this country. Perhaps IMUK and The Outlaw will be able to pull that same rabbit out of the hat if not this year, then maybe next.
As a volunteer at The Outlaw I received good feedback from athletes and have heard generally very good reports of the event. I know a number of people who have done Bolton and the one negative that I heard is that if there is heavy rain in the build up to the event site access to transition can become quite a problem. That said, experience may help with resolving that.
Not sure how much help that is but hopefully a few more can chime in with some competitor’s experience.
Good luck which ever you choose to do.
Wait, Ironman UK is held in Bolton?! Seriously??? Nice, Zurich, coeur d’Alene, lake placid, bolton!
OP, before your dreams are shattered I suggest you take a look at some pictures of Bolton and then pick the other one.
WappidWojj:
You rock! THanks for the great info. Makes me want to Challenge this year and Outlaw next year if Challenge works out.
I have done IMUK twice when it was in Sherborne and enjoyed it, even though there were some minor organisational issues.
I have never felt the desire to do it in Bolton (I used to live in Warrington not far away), I can’t really put my finger on why.
This year I am doing The Outlaw and Challenge Henley, both appealed for different reasons - Outlaw is a flat + fast course and I have done other races by the same folk that have been very well organised, Henley is hilly, but picturesque (and local, I was able to cycle the 38 miles to Henley from home, do half a loop of the course and cycle home).
Also don’t discount The Forestman, I did it last year, its more of a grassroots event, but challenging, scenic, friendly, and very well organised.
Oh and in Sept there is also IM Wales in Tenby - I might do that next year
.
Check out the tri talk forums at:
http://www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/
This will give you the local chatter about events and check the sites themselves:
http://www.onestepbeyond.org.uk/the-outlaw-triathlon.php - swim in rowing lake, flat bike, flat run - Robin hoods land - second year
http://www.challengehenley.com/ swim in thames, hilly bike, flat run - Henley on thames - new this year
http://ironmanwales.com/ swim in sea, hilly bike, challenging run Around Tenby, pembrokeshire - new this year.
http://www.ironmanuk.com/ lake swim, hilly bike, flatish run
http://www.racenewforest.co.uk/ lake swim, hilly bike, tough run - new forest
They are all set in stunning scenery, i have signed up for my first long distance, the outlaw - this year, but know all these routes very well.
I did the Outlaw last year and I cannot speak too highly of the organisation. The bike course is not flat nor is it on closed roads but the whole race was really well done. My race report is here: http://triathlonfoolishness.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html
IMUK has, how can I put it, something of a reputation for organisational problems (like really long swims) and also, ahhhh, something of reputation for litigiousness and banning people for the smallest perceived slight. These might change now with the new management. The newer races like IM Wales and Challenge Henley are both in their first year this year so no-one knows how well they’ll pan out. The challenge guys usually do a good job though.
Ask on tritalk.co.uk if you want to know more, if there’s anything I can help with PM me.
Rob