So we have some women who are thinking about doing their first Ironman or Iron distance race in 2008 or 09.
If you have done more than one Ironman (or Iron distance) race, how would you rate them favorite to least favorite? And why?
Subjective opinions are great - in fact that is the juicy part. What did you like about the courses, crowds, experiences etc.?
We are US based but are open to ANY Iron distance race, INMA or not, USA or outside the USA. We have all worked up to Oly or HIM distance and some of the ladies are good hill cyclists, so we wouldn’t rule out a “hard” bike course either.
Both were equally well run and top notch races. IMFL had more of a “Vacation” feel as you were right on the beach and would probably be a better choice for a “destination” race than IMWI. However I prefferd IMWI both for course and crowd support. Even this year with rain and cold conditions there were far more people on the course than in Florida. The Wisconsin course is also more interesting and enjoyable, IMHO.
I LOVED IM OZ in Port Mac. The bike course was very rough for us US based athletes used to the “glass-like” condition of IMLP, but it sure was fun. And I would say “fair” as far as how hard it was. Lots of hills both on the bike adn run, but it isn’t supposed to be easy, right? Beautiful, beuatiful town that absolutely fully embraced the race and its competitors. Tons of restaurants, some shopping, lots of surfing, snorkeling, hiking opportunities. And damn…you’re down under!! Go to Australia dude.
-But they were all great. South Africa was the best vacation I have ever had, the Austria bike course was the most scenic place I have ever ridden my bike (the swim and run were cool too), and Lake Placid is one of my favorite places on the planet.
I live on the West coast, so I’m very curious to know what made IM Canada a superior experience to IMCdA or IM Arizona. They are all 3 on our radar screen. Thanks!
Volunteers - so many had done the race before - they know their shit like no other volunteers I have ever encounteres
Penticton as a town is REALLY into this race - i have not encountered this type of devotion at any other IM
The history of the race is an added bonus
Has an international flair that the US IM races don’t have (yes it is in anothr country and this is not meant as a Canada is just US north comment) without out traveling too far out side the US.
IM-NZ: Friendly people, fantastic vaction destination. Bit expensive to get there.
IM-AUS: Can´t really say much abiout the new location, did when it was in Forster. Australia is a great vacation destination, too.
IM-AZ: Flat race. Boring bike course. Half-boring run-course. Tempe has a nice main-road though. Arizona is great…there must be a better location for a race there then this.
IM-Lanzarote: You like hills? This is your race… you have to like wind and heat, too, though. Quit out of the way, but worth it. Bonus: Not as crowded as a lot of other races.
IM-France: Did it when it was still the Nice-triathlon. Fantastic bike course, hilly, too. French savoir-vivre feeling is great. History.
Quelle-Challenge Roth: THE alternative to M-dot. Crazy crowds. Very fast. A bit overcrowded now with the relay-devisions.
IM-Germany: Big race. Have to like multi-loops (i don´t like them). Non-stop noise support on the run (i hate that). Fast course. Toughest Pro-field outside Kona.
IM-Canada: One of the best. One loop bike. Out and back run. How it should be everywhere. Strong local support, as mentioned by others.
IM-Moo: Nice! Hilly bike course (loved that). Good run course. Good local support. Great weather
IM-Kona: …well, guess that is one step away. The daddy of them all. If you get a chance: Go!
IM-Japan: If like cultural difficulties…this is it. Nothing is easy in Japan. A bit overwhelming for me, but a lifetime memory. Felt like a complete travel-novice there.
Kona - Good course for me…swim out, turn around, swim back…ride out, turn around, ride back…run out, turn around, run back. I don’t want to have to think, I just want to go forward til it’s over. Scenery is compelling and the atmosphere is electric. Every triathlete should go…to race, to volunteer, to spectate.
CDA - Yeah, it’s laps, but big open ones. It feels spacious and the scenery is amazing. The view from high points on the bike course is just gorgeous. The “natives” are very much behind the race, but smaller towns outside of the “big city” make it easy to get away from the IM hype. I very much enjoyed my trip to the NW.
Wisc - This is by far my least favorite. I did not find much to like about it. The courses…swim, bike and run…all seemed crowded, congested and irritatingly busy. I am big hill kinda girl and the rollers annoyed me. Running down State St inhaling the beer, braut and tobacco fumes while having spectators holler at me just kind of ticked me off. I know folks love it, but I suspect it’s a mid-west kind of thing. As far as a vacation destination…ummm, I don’t think so.
IMC - by far my favorite. great atmosphere, great people, great community, AMAZING course…did i mention great people, and the volunteers are amazing
Kona - i wasn’t impressed. for being the “big show”, i though that IMC was a much better done production. too much focus on the sponsors and the people paying stupid amounts of money to be there (ie vip’s) most of the athletes we so into themselves, the atmosphere wasn’t great. cool to be there and to do it, but wouldn’t try and go back any time soon. the course is barren and bleak, and i found it pretty boring actually. the swim was nice though.
if and when i go back to do another ironman race, it will 90%+ be canada. i’ve also heard a lot of good things about CDA, so that might be a close second, but if i had to do it tomorrow, it would be IMC, no question.
Quit out of the way, but worth it. Bonus: Not as crowded as a lot of other races.