Has anyone out there done Steelhead (SW Michigan)? Any opinions (course, support, etc)? I’m thinking of making it my 1st 1/2. It’s on August 6th.
I’ve done it and I am one of its greatest supporters.
It is a rare race that captures the very essence of the sport. It is not too big and not too “corporate” but meticulously organized. The course is perfect: beiatuiful swim along the Michigan west coast in the sunrise, very nice bike course (improved even for 2005) and a very tough, interesting run that is big fun with a beautiful beach finish.
I really do enjoy this race. It is fully 5 stars: *****.
I did the Steelhead last year as my first 1/2. It is very professionally run and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The venue is spectacular. To top it off, SW Michigan is a great place to spend a weekend (or longer). I brought my family and they had a blast. The transitions and finish are at a park on Lake Michigan with a truly awsome beach.
There were quite a few posts here last year after the race singing its praises so do a search. Also, I can’t find it now but someone posted on the web a detailed course analysis with profiles and tips.
There are a number of regular posters here who have done the race and I am pretty sure the organizer is a regular poster here as well so if you have any specific questions, fire away.
Is the bike course hilly, rolling, any serious climbs to speak of? I know the wind off the lake can lead to some real chop and fierce crosswinds. Did you experience a lot of this?
Thanks for the information. I think you’re helping me make my decision to do it. I have relatives in South Haven so the race would be quite practical.
What sort of temperatures could one expect raceday, Tom? I was a little surprise to see 87 degrees as the Dearborn weather on your site this week. Is that normal or a seasonal high?
This was my first half and it is a GREAT race! It’s REALLY well run and the location is UNBEATABLE! For more details about the race(in addition to steelheadtriathlon.com) check out www.michiganoutlaws.com. There is a link with the bike/run profiles, course directions, and comments about last years race in reply to Tom D’s terrific race report.
I found the course profile:
http://michiganoutlaws.com/steelhead.htm
I was a little apprehensive after looking at the profile but the scale is misleading. The course does not ride nearly as hilly as this makes it look. I’d describe it as pretty flat with occasional rollers. There is only one hill of any significance and it is not that big and quite a gradual climb.
The northern end of the bike is less than 10 miles from South Haven. If you have ever driven the road between South Haven and St Joe, you’ve already seen the worst the bike course has to offer. The part off the shoreline road is flat.
The hill coming out of T2 is a killer though. After that , the run is flat except you have to go over some bridges.
Last year wind was not a factor.
Steelhead Tri is a great race. Lake Michigan was warm and calm last year. The bike was fast and flat. The run was kind of grueling and exposed to the sun on city streets. Benton Harbor is OK. It would make a good first 1/2 IM. Here is a link to some guys race report:
While some people described the bike course as “rolling” I would say it is flat. Now, bare in mid, I am talking about last year’s bike course, and this years’ has been improved. There were two very minor rollers on the bike course toward the end.
There is a couple attention getters on the run though. There wasn’t much exposure to the wind on the bike. Picture a nice ride in a rural setting in the Tour de France. That is what the bike course is like. A pretty rural setting. Very, very nice.
The swim is a gem, and I don’t like swimming. You swim along the beach after jumping off a big pier into the clear water. Visibility in the water is, about, maybe… 20 feet depending on wind, weather, etc. Very, very nice. Beautiful sunrise.
The run goes into the city and back to the beach. Psychologically, this is perfect: As the race begins to really wear on you you get the added extra stimulus of an increasingly urban run setting over pretty bridges and through excellent aid stations. Then, the whole thing wraps up on a beautiful beach, one of the more beautiful beaches in Michigan.
This race has never had logistical problems such as fog delays, etc. It has a short but excellent history.
Temperatures can be anything- this is Michigan. It could be 50 and raining (highly unlikely) or 95 degrees with 90% humidity (slightly more likely). In general, expect highs in the lower 80’s, sun, moderate winds and moderate humidity at that time of year in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
I’ve done well over 200 triathlons and raced on all seven continents (yes, Antarctica too) and I can;t say enough good things about this fine event.
You will love Steelhead - I might be a bit biased as I grew up in St. Joseph. (St. Joseph High School - class of 75 - we have our 30 reunion this summer, but I’ll miss it as I’ll be doing Lake Placid that weekend)
Anyway - the course is very nice - we had great conditions last year for the swim - you swim one way with the current. (The course will change depending on which way the wind blows)
I rode the bike last weekend and we took out the worst section of road - Blue Star Hwy. (from South Haven down to Hagar Shores) The new road (76th st I think - check the map to make sure) has brand new pavement. It is a bit flatter that Blue Star, but much nicer road.
The run has some hills, some shade trees, some bridges, some hot city streets and a great beach side finish line.
Hope you come to the race - you will not be disappointed. Z
haven’t done it but i’ve heard plenty of rave reviews. I did the old Shu’s race in the area in the mid-90’s.
the only potential issue…and i have no question that Tom Z will verify…is that a Lake Michigan swim is always a potential problem…for any similarly sited event. it has happened previously with either high winds and waves, and/or a thermal turnover which drops shoreline area water temps down to 50 or below. both situations came up at two successive Shu’s events. odds are heavily against a repeat. bring your long suit either way. that kind of potential only adds to the excitement. the venue is outstanding and is simply one of the best spots in the region for a race. plan on a memorable experience.
What sort of temperatures could one expect raceday, Tom? I was a little surprise to see 87 degrees as the Dearborn weather on your site this week. Is that normal or a seasonal high? There’s a saying in Michigan that if you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes. When I went running this morning, the chill factor (yes, you read that right, the chill factor) was 31. That’s definitely cold for this time of year, and the 87 is definitely warmer than normal, but it’s not too unusual to have really wide weather swings because of how the Great Lakes affect things.
I guess that is the influence of the lake? I live right on the South Coast 100m from my balcony is the sea, but it’s not that changeable.
I’m not a metereologist so I’m just repeating what I have heard. Obviously, the American Lake between here and Great Britain is a little larger than the Great Lakes, but I’m not really sure what all of that means.
A little bigger but Bournemouth is about 100 miles (as the crow or gull flies) from the East Coast and hence the Atlantic is not that big a factor here. The English Channel is the major influence for us.
I did the race last year as well & it was my first 1/2IM. Awesome!! Water couldn’t have been nicer, nice countryside views for the ride & plenty of aid stations for the run. Well worth the money. Although Tom Zeibart should be giving registration discounts to his ST buddies… 
My advice: Don’t forget there’s a run after the bike leg. I had way too much fun passing all the slowpokes,
Last year there wasn’t a cloud in the sky the entire day. I’m thinking temps were mid 80s at the finish??
Take a look at the Michigan Outlaws’ web page - they’ve got some good info. http://www.michiganoutlaws.com/
I’ll do better then give my ST’s friends a discount at the race.
I will buy each ST’er a beer or 2 at the post race party of Czar’s on Saturday night.
We will be giving away some expensive bike wheels at the Post-post race party at Czar’s and you have to be present to win. Z