I’m planning on doing St Croix in '05 with the hope of snagging an Ironman slot. I’ve never done the race so I would very much appreciate any inside beta anyone might care to pass along. Also, I checked the results for the '04 and '03 races on their website and noticed that there was nearly an hour difference the Age Group(55-59) Winner’s time from one year to the other. Anyone have an explanation?
Thanks
Frank
I think the difference in time can be attributed to unbelievably hot conditions 2 years ago. If I remember correctly, the day was absolutely brutal and the race director was actually worried that there were going to be fatalities. I’d do a google search for some race reports.
D.
I qualified there this year. It is a very tough race, heat, hills, wind, and chop. The qualifying times are deceptively slow. Expect to go about 30-45 minutes slower than a typical 1/2 Ironman. The course is beautiful and fun in addition to challenging. I’ve done it 2 years in a row and may go back again in 05. I reccomend the Buccaneer as a place to stay. great views and included breakfast.Had great dinners at Bachus and Rumrunners in Christiansted. The only thing I didn’t like about the race was getting there.
I did the race in 03 and in 04. 04 was much harder than 03. The swim was a couple of minutes slower, the bike was slow due to high winds, and the run was almost as hot as 03. The back side of the bike course is really hard, and the run is always hot. If you do well in the heat and hot sun you will like this race. Do not let the slow times fool you, it is very difficult to qualify at St. Croix. The average racer is 30-45 minutes slower at St. Croix. I hope this helps, let me know if you need more information on the race or the Island.
I agree with the other post here. The field is very strong, like other IMH Qualifers to qualify is quite an acheivement.
I have done the 1/2s in Oceanside, St. Croix, Timberman, Eagleman and Buffalo Springs. St. Croix was the most challenging and beautiful. The bike takes a lot out of your legs (make sure to get appropriate gearing) and sections of the road surface are pretty rough with a significant number of major potholes. The bike course has a number of sections that are pretty techinical, the experienced racers hold a more of an edge on this course versus any other course I have been on. The run has a small amount of trail running around the Buccaneer Golf Course. The amount of wind in 2004 was supposedly not normal.
I would also recommend staying at the Buccaneer.
Book your airfare early because the discount fares go early, I believe that American is the only airlines with service that can handle the bikes.
I agree. 04 was tougher than 03 due to the wind on the back side of the island on the bike and on the swim. The wind helped cool things a little on the run but it was still hot as hell.