The race has been announced for next year. But this year’s result page show only 87 people finished the race. Can that be right?
Anyone know anything about this race?
I’ve done it the past two year. yeah, smallish crowd, but, having done LP 3x, nice to do a small local race.
the bike and run courses this year were different than last year. 4 loops for both bike and run. not crazy about loops, but makes race management alot easier.
i live 25 miles away, so it’s kind of a no-brainer for me to do this.
course very well manned and marked. lots of volunteers. aid stations pretty well stocked.
about 25 folks did the aquabike, so a little over 100 athletes race morning.
the day before was the olympic distance race, which had close to 300 athletes.
let me know if you want more info re. course etc.
I had one athlete do it. Lots of tree roots on the bike course.
I don’t know if those seams in the roads in the state park are caused by tree roots or frost, but yeah, a bumpy ride for sure. I pre-rode the course 6-7 times in the months before the race so I was kind of used to them. someone riding it for the first time was in for a rude awakening though.
curious, would your athlete race it again or recommend it?
definitely a bumpy ride. I raced the olympic course and almost crashed twice while holding tight onto my bars. Scenic route, no doubt, but I liked last year’s bike course more.
yeah, i thought last year’s was a better, faster course, and not because it was 8 miles short (for the iron-distance race; not sure if the oly was short).
less traffic concerns in the park i would imagine. though, i was surprised at the amount of cars in the park on a sunday.
the oly course was short as well, by maybe .5 mile. According to my computer.
Stay tuned for the rest of the story… http://chasingboston.blogspot.com/
I worked the med tent and total field was 150 but many were aqua bike.
I plan to do the aqua bike next year - from what I heard the bike might be better on a road bike with clip ons due to the bumpiness in the park…it was also called a tough bike course by many. the run is by the water and flat.
From what I read…count me in for next year. Dead serious.
throwing an invite out to you-I live 25 miles from race. If you want/need a place to crash, let me know. I will probablly be racing it again; if I don’t, I’ll be volunteering.
I’m about the same distance (in Dartmouth), and I’m considering the Plymouth race next year for my first IM. Bike course sounds like a real downer, though.
I did the race this year and here are my quick thoughts.
Things I liked:
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being able to sign up for a Sept race around Memorial Day (could have waited longer, but but willing to commit and save a few $ at that point)
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low stress pre-race (there aren’t 2k+ high-strung triathletes and their families milling around in the days prior)
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no drafting on the bike
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flat run
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volunteers (as good as any mDot race I’ve been to)
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COLD drinks all day
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Plymouth had enough things to offer my family to keep them busy all day when they weren’t out watching for a gluimpse of me (did breakfast, lunch, toured the Mayflower, did some shopping, etc.)
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for me, was able to stay at my in-laws in Dartmouth (~45min away) so we didn’t have to turn IM into the family vacation. Even without that option, there are plenty of reasonable hotel options nearby that won’t be demanding 5-7 night minimums
Thing I didn’t like:
- Only 1. As noted, the road quality on the bike wasn’t great. I’d rate 1/3 (of the 25-mile ‘circuit’) as beautiful (some of the nicest newly paved asphalt I’ve ever ridden on), about 1/3 rough, and about 1/3 jaw-breaking. Supposedly, the RDs are already at work seeing what they can influence on this front. No idea if their efforts will pan out at all, but if they get “jaw-breaking” roads half-way to the new pavement then this bike course becomes much more user-friendly.
Thing I was (pleasantly) surprised about:
- Didn’t mind the loops, especially the run. Made for plenty of time to ‘meet’ your fellow competitors, know the landmarks you were pushing for and lots of aid station availability (9 station passes every 6.5 mile circuit). Made it convenient for spectators and kept you from feeling ‘alone’ on the course despite the small field.
I would probably do this race again, as is. But it would make my decision much easier if they can convince the state to pave the Park roads.
Happy to answer any other questions about the race.
Happy to answer any other questions about the race.
Are the roads better/worse than Harriman?
The water has got to be warmer, right?
Any extra room at your in-laws 
Nice recap John thnx. If/when I do another IM I might go indy. Enticing.
Happy to answer any other questions about the race.
Are the roads better/worse than Harriman?
The water has got to be warmer, right?
Any extra room at your in-laws
Nice recap John thnx. If/when I do another IM I might go indy. Enticing.
Roads - MUCH worse (excepting that newly paved section, which was like riding on clouds)
Water - I’m guessing mid-60s? So a bit warmer and a bit saltier than Harriman
Room - My BiL lives up there as well, so we’ll find you a room 