Anyone done this race? Is it good? Organized? How was the ocean swim? Please tell.
I have done both the sprint and the Olympic distance. Overall it is only semi-organized but it is a fun race once you get to the start! They have had problems in the past with getting people onto the busses in downtown LA in time to make their swim start in Venice. They have had very few busses and lots of people in line at 6 AM trying to get a ride to the start. If your swim start is not very early or if you go directly to the swim start on you own you will be fine. Richard
As for the bike, I’m assuming its quite flat?
My opinion is that it is not flat. I have never had a great bike there. It is a small but gradual uphill the first fifteen miles then up and down bigger hills the rest of the way.
Do you have any relation to the Naval Academy (judging from your member name I’m hoping you do).
I did the first three years but skipped last year to do Big Kahuna. They always seem to dick up something each year. I consider the course fairly flat. There is a gradual incline due to starting at the beach and heading 25 miles inland. If possible, have someone drive you to the start and skip that whole bus scene. If they’re able to wait there for your start, throw all your T1 stuff in a bag and toss it to them so you don’t have to wade through the multitude of bags after the race. I think the biggest mistake they made was adding a sprint race. There are tons of sprints around. It would make for a better race if they focused on one race instead of getting greeedy and splitting their efforts between two races. All in all I like it and am planning to do it again this year. If you can swing it though, I’d suggest the Big Kahuna intead.