Anyone have any thoughts about Pineman or the company running it HFP?
I know they changed the venue a few years back from someplace hilly to someplace flat and that they got rid of the Pineman full iron. They still run a half iron, though, and I was thinking about doing it. Is it any good/is HFP any good?
HFP is probably one of the best out there with races (they have been doing tris for 17 years and I believe the longest running series in the country).
Pineman is fine if you only do the half or under - the full IM is a little boring with the multiple loops and all
Don’t have any first hand experience but the HFP races get flogged pretty hard on the Duathlon.com message boards for lack of drafting enforcement. From what I gathered the opinions were that there were not even any draft marshalls present. Keep in mind this is third hand…
I’m a veteran of both locales.
I did a 70.3 (snark) at the old Mohican resort site which was as hilly as hell.
I did the full the next year when it moved to the flatter Deercreek park.
I had a positive experience (from the standpoint of race organization and support) at both races.
I understand the reason the had to move was a strong disagreement with the local constubalary at the Mohican site. During that race I tried thanking a few officer for their help and they were a tad rude in response. Not sure if there is any connection.
Anyway they are pretty lowkey races. My full IM race had I think less than 400 competitors. HFP put on alot of races in Ohio throughout the year. I’ve never heard anything bad about them.
I personally thought the Mohican race was gorgeous and the most difficult course I had seen in any race and was sad to see it move. The Deercreek race is very plain (pun intended) in comparison.
I did the first Pineman and it was a disaster.
I’ve heard that the Kurek’s run fine short-course races, but they were clearly out of their element with the demands of long course race requirements. The race was unsafe, ill-supported, and I wouldn’t recommend the events based upon my single bad experience (there are simply too many other races out there…What about Steelman?).
I’ve had friends race Pineman LC since then and they basically described it as “amateur hour.” Not a lot of bling for your buck (very few officials, hardly any volunteers, boring course, and not much “rah rah”). That’s fine if you are “old school.” I’ve only been in the sport for 20 years so I guess I’m “new school” and I’m biased by the “over-hyped” events such as Mrs. T’s, Bud Light Chicago, IMUSA, Kona, etc.
In short, I’d find another race.
I need one in September for the training time (so no Pigman and no STeelhead). I hear US 1/2 champs is great but that’s 8 hours drive. Pineman is 5.5. Lake Geneva is only 1.5 but it got really awful reviews. Ugh, what to do?
You have two choices:
First, Drive the 8 hours and enjoy a great event.
Second, drive 1.5 hours for a mediocre event.
Both choices are better than driving 5.5 hours for a mediocre/poor event.
Good luck,
Puskas
have not done the Pineman…but i have done several HFP events, dus and tris, spread out over a number of years.
class outfit with exceptionally well run events.
best most recent example is the Little Smokies 1/2, run in conjunction with the Triple T.
I have been poking around more with HFP. They do run the Spirit of Racine 1/2 Iron which gets excellent reviews and the Buckeye Challenge 1/2 iron which is also hosting the long course Du nationals. Are they really mediocre?
Ah, I LOVED the little smokies 1/2. VERY hard bike and run, but tri at it’s finest. The swim with the early smoke on the water was beautiful.
Back to the original posters query: I would not drive 5.5 hours for Pineman just for a training exercise (as much as I like HFP events). Just do the closer one.
I also agree that Shanon Kurek and company are experts at Sprint, OLY and maybe even Half (like little smokies, great buckey, etc.) races. Full IM events need way too much support.
I wasn’t clear. This 1/2IM would be my biggest race of the season, not a training exercise. I was meaning to say that I couldn’t do Steelhead or Pigman (which are close by and excellent) because they are too early in my training plan.
I raced the Pineman in 2000, when it was the Mohican. The following year I was injured and couldn’t race (although I was signed up) so I volunteered instead. I thought both experiences were positive. I was disappointed when the venue changed, but I understand why it had to happen. I would not hesitate to race an HFP event.
I see - yes, HFP events are top notch. Not many triathlon (actually they do bike and run events too, and not just in OH) venues have been around as long - you can tell just by their website, www.hfpracing.com, about the time they put into the events.
Shannon Kurek (owner) races in them as well (and he is pretty damn good as well - last week he avg over 26 mph on the bike portion!)
They only do about 5 1/2 iron distances per year and they are all well run. I would say that Pineman is 5th of them however, but a good race anyway.
I will concur with another poster about draft marshalls though. Only 1 that I know of - but I would say it is LESS prevalent than, say, IM Wisconsin which is an official M-dot event.
I’ve done a good number of HFP races and Pineman the last 2 years.
HFP overall is a good outfit. Maybe not the ‘glitzies’ races out there, but generally very well run. NO huge bells and whistles - but for what you pay you get a good race. Want a lot more - then pay a lot more and take your chances.
As for Pineman specifically -
The venue is fine - lake good for the swim, bike not the most breath taking, but very doable, if the winds are down fast, and road surface is OK to good. Two loops with adequate but not huge support. No there does not seem to be a lot of draft marshalls. If the drafting issues bother you, then this might be a problem, for me I try not to let that issue bother me in any race. Run is FLAT, fine support, really few spectators.
I think this is a nice HIM - potential to go pretty fast.
As a full - well this would not be my choice of races, no knock on HFP - I just think to support a full takes HUGE resources that only a few race outfits inthe country has.
Lots of people in OH use this as a year end “A” race. It gets some hype. Possibly by eliminating the full the HIM will actually be even better.
Go for it.
you’ll find good folks and a great race at any HFP event. they always run a terrific show, but is probably true in the case of little to no drafting marshalls. still great events in my book.
kitty
I have raced and volunteered at HFP events. have always found them to be safely and professionally manages. My racing experience is mostly limited to Ohio and the complaint about lack of drafting enforcement can be applied to every race I have competed in.
HFP always have good post race food. They added energice frozen bars this year. Only knock I have is that they use infinet(sp) as the energy drink. No my favorite but I just carry my own.
I did the Pineman half 3 years ago and found it to be a fairly easy course. Swim was cancelled half way through due to fog. Transition area was big enough to alow plenty of space for all competiotrs. Bike was rolling hills with nothing to big. Run can be boring as it is mostly country roads and two loops leaves me wanting but there are no big hills.