How was your race?
How were each of the races?
Was the run course similar to that past?
How were the roads?
How as the water level?
How was the weather?
How was the camping?
How was the general store?
How was the venue?
How was the turnout?
How was the expo?
How was the entertainment?
How was the race organization?
How was the event in general?
Would you go back?
What did you like?
What did you dislike?
What would you change?
…and no, I don’t work for the Wildflower, I am a 10-time long course finisher who could not make it because my three kids had a weekend-long swim meet, so I want to live vicariously through your replies. I also grew up water skiing on San Antonio Lake.
My races went better than expected. Turns out shitting the bed at your first Wildflower and coming in undertrained will scare you into being prepared for your second attempt. I also was utterly terrified of Squared (rightfully so) but it went well!
Long course was great. Olympic was great. Smaller fields, but lots of fun and fast people as far as I could tell.
Run course was identical to 2018 as far as I know.
Roads were… rougher than I remember. Monterey County could do some work (please).
Water level was higher than 2018; T1 run felt way shorter than last time!
Weather was great - could have been super cold, could have been super hot, but was generally overcast for the first few hours each day and temps stayed mild.
Camping was rad
Did not visit the store (was it open?)
Venue was just as epic as ever.
Turnout was lower than 2018, transition was smaller. But to me, it felt like a brand new event with all of the firepower and history to put on a great experience. Lots of first-timers!
Expo was way better than I expected and vendors actually were running deals, nice bonus.
Entertainment is always good!
Race organization ran well it seemed - no notes.
I sure plan to go back, and the glamping options make it more reasonable since I now have to fly in (from Boulder). I did regular tent-camp this time and it was challenging!
I loved being back with a grass-roots triathlon community. No Ironman bullshit, no inflated egos, just everyone there to race hard on a challenging course. It was fantastic. I didn’t love that the park didn’t open all of the flushing toilets but we survived just fine. (Many were open! Just not all.)
Delighted to have the race back. This was my 5th long course @ Wildflower, and the swim/bike/run course was as I remembered it - BRUTAL!!
The good / great
There was excellent vibe from spectators, other races & volunteers (Cal Poly aid stations!!), more engagement and less serious than I have seen at Ironman races.
The reservoir and water levels were identical to back in the early 2000s, temps were perfect.
The turnout was good, and it seemed like the festival of various races was well-received. I guess that it helped to have something for everyone - trail runs, triathlon, on road/off road.
Driving in on race morning, it was possible to park right next to transition, which made post post-race much easier. No need to trek up that hill back to the parking on top of Lynch Hill.
Related to the previous point, the numbers were naturally down in their comeback year.
Before the start, when the race organizer spoke, you could tell how much it meant to them to have this iconic race back.
My race went well, I had forgotten how brutal those miles of off-camber trail were at miles 3-5 on the run and overall the run course is a butt kicker.
The not-so-good
The roads were brutal, especially in certain sections, and noticeable when crossing the county lines - SLO vs Monterey Co.
First timer at WF-truly enjoyed it. Laid back, true community spirit, helpfulness. I rented a bell tent-really nice, the weather cooperated so very comfortable. I’d go RV next time-I missed close bathrooms. I snapped a chain-bike was not able to be ridden. I found out there was no real sag support as we know it. I’d go back.I also agree with the road conditions-god awful.
Cal Poly was at mile 4 and I will assume they realized who was running through when I was there and tamed themselves a little bit, haha! (I coach collegiate club, but not Cal Poly.)
All of the volunteers / aid station crews seemed like they were having a ton of fun, though. Saw quite a few “you drink we drink” opportunities and just all around good times!
Was the run course the same as the run course historically and I assume there is the killer freefall drop to the finish line…back in 1996 I when I ran 1:28 that was the best past…2015, that final downhill when I ran 1:48 killed me…thinking about trying it again in 2026 but really not sure if my bad run can allow me to even stay upright on all the crazy footing. Nasty grade felt like a wall in 2015, whereas 1996, it felt like a big chainring-big cog climb. Now I fear even with a 34x32, Nasty grade would feel beyond Nasty. On a bright side with my additional mass, the descent down the othe side would be awesome!!!
I think it is Katie Ledecky’s parents tell this joke - if you’re given just one day to live, make it a swim meet day, those last forever
if nothing else goes wrong I hope to retire by next year, have a fantasy tri calendar for the year all set up, including wildflower. It may never happen but it’s nice to think about.
As far as I know, yep, same run course! The footing wasn’t so bad. There were a couple of soft spots but think sand, not crazy trails. Yes, a straight downhill mile into the finish.
Nasty Grade wasn’t so bad, since it was still overcast and cool while I was climbing. Thinking about what it would feel like at 80*F+ was distressing lol. The descent, though, was fabulous.
Maybe second half of this year, I start venturing on some easy trails. I kind of what to do Alpe d’Huez tri and one more shot at Wildflower. I did my last IM at Tahoe 2015, and I was going to “unretire” from IM’s this summer as Ironman Canada is literally 7km from my house, and then I realized by November of last year that firstly my body is likely not up for Ironman training and secondly my work life would be too hard and thirdly, I would probably burn myself out trying to be bad at Ironman and bad at work…so the consolation prize COULD be a try at WF + Alpe d’Huez LC next year.
Then maybe I can go to being mainly a swimmer/exerciser with no grandiose racing targets although if 2027 70.3 worlds are in St. George, then I’ll have to try to qualify (and I am going to try to qualify for Nice 70.3 worlds next year). My wife thinks I’ll be racing like a maniac when I am 70+ (or maybe she fears how miserable life could be if I am around the house too much), but my body is hanging together on wire, duct tape and threads some days, so it’s just a matter of time before the game is over !!!
Hey Emilio, First we missed you at WF, I was looking but alas you weren’t around
I was undertrained as the result of an injury, so had moved from LC to the sprint. The course is a brutal as remembered. Whichever course you race, it will be super tough for its distance! The weather was good, cool at times, then very warm, but all in all pretty mild/moderate. Kudos to the production company for getting the park open! There was no running water, so bathrooms and showers closed. Colleen and crew brought in 6 ports-potties at each bathroom, and a large water tank. There was also a few trailers with showers available. The ports-poties were kept clean more than they were dirty. the expo was good, I think as good as 2015-2018, and the vibe around the expo area was really good. Even though I did not race them, I thought the 5k/10k on Saturday night was really cool, seemed like a lot of energy around it!
I will absolutely be back next year, and I hope the approx 2,000 racers more than doubles!
In the festival area, there were two dudes selling old tri stuff; turns out it was Dan Empfield and Monty! Got to meet and chat with them for quite a while. It was also awesome to see Mark Allen (who by some weird coincidence I run in to in Santa Cruz). Terry was warm and not hurried for conversation as per normal and his daughter gave an awesome speech of thankfulness to have the privilege to put this event on; it was quite moving. The Star Spangled Banner was particularly impactful given these times; talk about chills. And Whit Raymond and Jule Moss did their typically outstanding announcing with such energy for each and every participant.
The water was remarkably clean (didn’t smell), a great temp and the res is 70%+ full. The weather was great; didn’t get too cold at night but not as typically hot during the day.
My coach, Tim Sheeper, also showed up and dominated (7th overall in the Oly, frickin 62 yrs old). And the guy who I remember as the college phenom, Andrew Roos, is now 40 years old (!). He placed 2nd overall in the Oly; amazing.
Personally I’ve done this nearly every year since 1990 (Tim since '83!). My buddies and I typically camp and it is an epic reunion. The Boston Globe actually did a story about my friend Brian who would come out from Mass every year to camp and race; I’d loan him a bike and set up a tent and sleeping bag for him. He’d come in on a Friday, drive down from SFO then haul ass back on Sunday. When that article was written we partied with the author and her friends at our camp site; it was quite memorable.
I actually have to thank you for prompting this question.
After nearly a week you sort of helped me think through the awesomeness and how rare and special events like this are.
Hope to see you there next year.
PS: about the roads. Not bueno. I did the Sprint and chose to ride my road bike instead. Maybe not faster but I felt a lot more confident and probably because of it I was able to win the AG. And the general store has been closed for years. Woodpeckers are making holes in the siding.
And 1600 participants.
The only bummer is the road was closed until 3PM on both days. And the awards ceremony for the Oly wasn’t until 4PM on Sunday. That needs to be tightened up.
“Nasty grade felt like a wall in 2015, whereas 1996, it felt like a big chainring-big cog climb” - I gotta call BS on you for this. NFW could you say Nasty Grade felt like a big chainring-big cog climb". I’m sorry, but that is not humanly possible especially how the heat is sort of suffocating there.
Don’t take it so seriously. It was meant as a joke!!! But to defend the math a 50-28 is easier than 36-18 combo if you want to use current configurtion!!! In 1996 all I had was 53-39 and 12-23, so definitely no way to get up in the big ring!!! How was your race this year?
Who stated that and where? My guess early once announced would have been about 2k athletes across all races(did you count all the races?). Have to keep in mind that ST. George today was a huge suck from potential entires, and will no longer be there next season. I would figure perhaps half those numbers cross over and they get to 3k+, which would be a great number going forward. At its peak it was just 5/6k+, so expecting 4500 would be a little over the top…
The main thing is that they put on a classic wildflower race, with all the bells and whistles that everyone has come to expect. I think this is a more if they build it, they will come scenario…
I believe I counted all the races. Do it yourself and see if I am off.
I have done WF many times. Even beat Dean Harper one year to get first in my AG. But just like woodstock is dead for all but old folks hippies, sorry, WF is dead. It is in the sticks. Prices are WAY too high. Closest town is an hour away in king city. Traffic getting home on Sunday is TERRIBLE!!
But, here is the article stating they expected 4500
No way I see this a race making a profit going forward. But if one has deep pockets and does not care about profit, have fun
It’s pretty rare to have 1000 people show up for a first race. Now I realize this isn’t their first race, but it’s kind of that. Still, its a great spot to grow from if they have the stomach to continue. I agree 2.5-3k seems possible next year. And 5k the year after.
@h2ofun hey, how are you doing? Which race did you do?
I guess my question is whether they can break even at 1500 people. If so, seems like a viable option. I went 4 times and the years where it was “lower volume” was nicer versus the crazy years camping on top of each other !!!
