Has anyone done the Las Vegas Tri? Website says water temps around 80 degrees so no wetsuits! How is the bike course? Flat or Hilly…terrain in the area could provide some rather extreme climbs. I’m looking for a OLY in Sept that is fairly close…ie driving distance to San Diego.
Mark
Las Vegas NV or Las Vegas NM? there is an OD in NM july 31st…bike is pretty much 20km slight uphill, then 20km slight downhill.
There is a Las Vegas, NM? Who knew…
Las Vegas, Nevada. Race is in and around Lake Mead.
Well LVNM is not quite as famous as its NV counterpart…
Do it, but don’t get killed by any number of a myriad of possible options!
I’m a big fan of CSI, so now instead of associating gambling to the LV, NV area, I associate death.
The Las Vegas Tri is an okay race. I can’t say it’s great, but it’s adequate. It’s VERY hot on race day. It’s usually pushing 95 degrees by 8:00 AM. There is no shade ANYWHERE on the ride or run! I am kind of shocked that they want to do a 1/2 im distance this year. It’s dangerous to be out in that heat working that hard.
That being said, I ride the course weekly as I train for the Grand Columbian. So, it looks like this:
Swim - Lake Mead tastes kind of nasty. The water is warm, hot tub warm. You’ll be really glad you don’t have a wet suit.
Bike:
Sprint - Rolling hills, nothing too strenuous
Oly - Rolling hills, some fairly long hills, with one long steep climb on the way back
1/2 im - mostly the same as the OLY, but you turn off and go 18 miles on long rollers. The first 4 miles after the turn-off are bone-jarring, as the road could use some work. Absolutely no shade anywhere along the bike course! People will be riding while it’s easily 95 - 100 degrees outside. I was on the website and found only TWO water stops available for this distance. Be careful out there!!!
Run:
Sprint is on a dusty trail out and back, and the Oly is on the same trail but a double loop.
The 1/2 im is on a race course used in the spring. They run a race called the 6 tunnels half marathon on the course. It’s cool to run through tunnels, but when it’s over 95 degrees, it going to be a VERY LONG DAY!
Like I said, it’s not a bad race, but The Pumpkinman in October is a lot of fun too.
mr mohole is right on in his analysis … and i’d second the heat warning. it can be hot, crazy hot, out there. right before i left vegas a few weeks ago, i did a sprint at lake lv. race time temp:111. no shade, anywhere. i would have never thought i could suffer so thoroughly at such a short race.
I also agree with Molehole. Another word of warning if you camp try to pick your campsite neighbors carefully…my buddy and I were next to some folks who were clearly not there for the triathlon and needless to say weren’t on the same sleeping schedule as we were.
Yes, Vegas is HOT in Sept! Las Vegas Triathlon in my opinion is not what it is cracked up to be. Friends and I have raced it for years just because there was no other race to choose from. Another race promotion company has come on the scene very strong here in Vegas in the last few years, I would highly recommend checking the their Land Rover PumpkinMan Triathlon and Duathlon out for a GREAT end of the season race. Temps are much cooler then as well.
wait and do the Land Rover PumpkinMan Triathlon - it is a much better race and the temps will be better and the course is nicer
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I agree to wait for PumpkinMan! That race rivals any well established race and last year was the first one! Can’t wait to see what they have up thier sleeve this year!
Very good organization, Very professional, challenging courses, and a great group of people! Wait the extra month, You will NOT be disapointed with this race!