Holy hell, when did halfs start costing $250?!
Which is the better race?
I can drive to both, though farther to KS.
Doing IM Chatt, so timing not that big of a deal.
I live in TN, so I know hot/humid.
Discuss please. Thanks.
And I’d think about doing both, but $250!
I agree; they have gotten crazy! Even a local independent 1/2 is 250! Sucks to be a bucket list sport.
KS is a nice race, with a fair bike course, and mix you’re into camping, that’s right at the race spot. Otherwise the race is a ways outside town, but since it’s a college town, easy to get cheap lodging. Haven’t done Muncie in a while, but I think the bike course at KS is a bit tougher and a better race overall.
Hopefully others will jump in that have done it more recently.
You moved recently?
You moved recently?
Well, if you call May 2012 recently! 
Thanks for the info! I did part of KS70.3 way back in 2008 and don’t remember a lot about it except for the run that got cancelled by a tornado. I wouldn’t be camping. I’m thinking the bike course there would be a better test for Chatt.
I dont know about ‘better’ but i have done both. Swims are comparable, normal murky midwest lake water. KS bike is harder, hillier. Muncie run is harder, it actually is hillier. Both can be hot and humid, I’d say Muncie probably hotter simply because it is mid July instead of early June. Both have a short drive from race venue to lodging and food.
The KS 70.3 routes are different now. The run is extremely cool doing 2 loops through the campground. Lots of spectators, sprinklers to keep you cool, music, etc. Great race and well supported.
Time flies when one gets old! 
I think KS would be better for Chatt prep.
Never done IM 70.3 Kansas
Have done IM 70.3 Muncie twice
Two years ago it turned into a “long Oly” due to heat wave
I hate to rip on any venue as I know the RD’s put a lot of time into the race
With that said, Muncie was a DISASTER the last two years. I live within 5hrs of the venue and I will NEVER do that race again. The bike course last year was borderline dangerous, esp if you were in a later wave. A “no pass” zone of about .75 miles you had to go through twice. The out and back was an accident waiting to happen. Not just me, but a large crew of NE Ohio tri peeps said we will never do that race again after what we experienced last year on the bike. Muncie was a good race at one time, but I for one will NEVER go back
My 2cents
The Bike couse was a bit nasty last year, but you gotta admit, the weather couldn’t have been nicer. The only thing that was dangerous about the new bike course was the “mine field” we had to ride through half way.They just need to find a good bike course & stick to it. Never done KS, but have heard good things.
The KS 70.3 routes are different now. The run is extremely cool doing 2 loops through the campground. Lots of spectators, sprinklers to keep you cool, music, etc. Great race and well supported.
With all the out-n-backs, is the run course super crowded and hard for passing? It also mentions some trail sections, just normal stuff or technical?
Did KS last year. Awesome race. Swim is well a swim. Bike is fair and goes through some beautiful farm land. Run is best part. Lots of people cheering in campground. We camped and it was worth it. Nice to walk from finish line to my cooler of beer. Sat on my lounger and cheered folks on till dinner time. There are no technical parts of the run and passing is wide open.
Yeah, passing is not a problem. Not sure why it says there is a trail section. The only thing I can think of is about 15 yards of grass you run over to get from the main road to the campground road. Otherwise it is 99.997% asphalt.
I’m doing KS this year and have heard nothing but good things about it. I know the person that organizes the IronKids race the day before and she said I’d love it, especially the run. FWIM, I want to say it was wetsuit legal too, which is suprising for June, but I thought I saw wetsuits in race phots last year. It might be a partly spring fed lake. The hills should reduce traffic and drafting issues on the bike and spread things out nicely for the run.
Plus for spectators and family, it looks like plenty of shade and a 2 loop run course always helps.
Last year was perfect conditions. Yes, we did get to use wetsuits which is not typical for that race if I remember right. We got a cool morning and then by the time I hit the run (epic fail on my part to drink enough on the bike) it was pretty warm. Good luck! By the way…for those thinking it is “Kansas flat”…wrong! I was surprised when I test road the course to find decent rolling hills (nothing terrible). My parents live in southern Kansas and it is completely different from Lawrence. But I think that is part of what makes this race beautiful and fun.
I think KS would be better for Chatt prep.
Why? If the Muncie run course is hillier than KS, I would think Muncie would be better prep.
I’ve raced KS the last 2 years… It’s going to be HOT on the run! No way around it. Swim has potential to be brutal (2012), & bike has some nice hills. And ya, Clinton is outside of town, but it’s like a simple 5-10 minute drive. And not like one run makes much difference during your IM prep. Just race whatever is convenient for ya, and work on Chatt back home this summer. Just my .02
CC
Very common mistake. Anybody that has driven through Missouri much knowns it’s not flat at all. This part of Kansas, is right on the Missouri border. Constant rolling hills. Not quite as hilly as most of Wisconsin, but pretty not far off.
Thanks! Keep it coming. I need to overlay the bike racing schedule with the tri schedule and figure it out.
Will either/both sell out in advance?
Kansas is not going to sell out in 10 minutes. Except for last year since Heinz Ward was there!!! J/K However I did get my picture with him and chatted it up. By the way, his wife is not bad to look at either. Did get to meet Paula Newby Fraser which was way more cool. She still looks like she could kick some of the pro woman field butt. I digress…you will be fine to wait but just keep an eye on it. You never know.
I registered on-site last year (Saturday). Right beside Crowie & Hines. Was no line. Walked right up.
CC
I did Muncie for my first half last year (2013). Weather was gorgeous… couldn’t have asked for better temps; water was barely wet suit legal, and air temps got to mid 80s around noon IIRC. But if the weather pattern holds, 2014 will be HOT HOT HOT. Bike course is fast and “flat” … BUT there’s a 1/2 mile of no passing zone each way (out and back course) and right after/before that was chip & seal road and it was rough… and people were all over the place. My only complain was the no passing zone because you’ll get stuck behind somebody slow.