Hi -
I’m considering doing the St. Croix 70.3 in 2008… timing works well and looks like a fun travel race. Looking at the results it seems that times are SLOW all across the board. I also read some previous posts that talk about a tough course. How bad it is, really?? For a 5:23 to win the W25-29 AG last year to earn a spot to either Clearwater or Kona, I’m in the market to head out there and earn my ticket - unless the course/conditions are nasty enough to add a significant chunk to everyone’s time. Any tips/tidbits?
I guess there is one climb, that you do twice that is pretty brutal. Two friends have done it, one said it was quite tough and the other went into a heat stroke induced coma and had to be air-lifted off the island.
Do a search you’ll find tons on this race. Tough is relative but it is challenging. The heat can multiply that quickly. Great race. Beautiful island. Ton of fun. It’s really a sleepy island. It’ll be all about the race when you get there.
I don’t know if I’m a veteran but I raced it this past May.
I think there are a few reasons why the times look pretty slow.
- It’s an ocean swim, no wetsuits (this year’s swim was pretty tame though)
- The bike course is notoriously difficult. Not only the hills and the wind but the surface is rough in spots and down right nasty in others * This can be good or bad depending on your strengths, I really liked it, plus they close the roads to traffic!
- The run doesn’t get enough credit for being tough. Its hilly, some of it is on uneven trails and it gets HOT!
- The time of year, it’s early in the season for most, tough to do the type of work necessary for sucess on this course
- It’s in the Islands - a lot are just there for a good time with a race thrown in to make it extra fun!
Although I got pretty lucky and nabbed a Kona slot in M25-29 with a 4:48, I don’t think it’s an easy race to Q at. The top end knows there are slots for the dance so they come ready.
That 4:48 wasn’t great (actually 2/3 were pretty good, the run was REALLY bad) but since then I’ve gone 4:09 on a rolling, breezy course (Musselman, in NY). Eganski (another ST’er) went from a sub-par performance in St. Croix to winning his AG at IMCDA, just goes to show that it wears down some decent athletes, there’s no faking it out there!
Bottom line though, it’s a beautiful race and worth the trip - but don’t count on an easy slot. I’ll be back at some point for revenge on that run course!
Enjoy, Ian
done it 5 times in a row, it can range from challenging to very challenging, last yr was the best conditions I had seen, in 2005 I did Florida Half IM a few weeks later and went 30 min faster.
That said I think it is a very cool race to do, beautiful scenery and just very relaxed atmosphere for the most part.
I’d say it’s one of the most difficult 1/2s out there. It is very similar to Hawaii only the swim is usually choppier, the bike is hillier and the run feels hotter. I’ve done the race three times and qualified twice there in 40-44 with a 5:00 and a 4:42. Don’t let the times fool you, the competition for the Hawaii slots is fierce. It’s an earlier 1/2 qualifier and everybody knows it. If conditions are typical, breaking 5hrs is tough. I’d guess its probably about 30minutes slower than the “average” 1/2.
It is my favorite race outside of Hawaii. It is the best bike course of any race I’ve done with a lot of challenge, beautiful views and , of course, “The Beast” (which you only do once by the way). We always stay at The Buccaneer which is a great hotel. The breakfast buffet there is killer with stunning views of Christiansted harbor. Christiansted is a nice carribean town with a lot of history, good shopping and dining. Make sure you go to Baccus for dinner, the food is incredible and the chef is a triathlete.
Bottom line I highly reccommend this race.
this is my favorite race because it has the mellow atmosphere of a Xterra race but the competition of a world-class event.
I’ve done it twice. Its one of the hardest races I’ve ever done (and I’ve done 5 IMs).
The field is very competitive. A lot of people are there to try and qualify.
I would count on adding at least 30 min. to your half IM, possibly more depending on conditions - the wind and heat can be brutal.
I’m thinking of doing it again next year, since it is a great, laid back place for a family vacation.
I did it this last May and it was my first HIM also. After T1… it’s all hard until the finish line. I’m going to do MiamiMan this Nov, and a friend told me that I can do it easly 30-45 minutes faster that St. Croix. Also you get to see, take a pic and talk to many of the top pro’s.
On Friday night they have the JumpUp Party, very cool… But I think that besides the race, there’s nothing to do over there, just relax mon’
Cheers
…everything that Slick said. I was there in 2006 and got dusted by Slick and crew in 40-44, finishing 7th with a 4:56…later in the year on flat to rolling courses I put down 4:14 (silly fast demi Esprit course) to 4:35 (Tupper Lake)…so that gives you an indication on how slow St. Croix can be.
I am seriously considering going back there next year…either that or back to Wildflower. As a point of reference my times at St. Croix last year and Wildflower this year on a windy day were 1 minute apart.
But don’t go for the Kona slots…go for the island experience…I suspect that if you are in the running for a Kona slot in St. Croix and you miss it, you will be at peak fitness mid summer to grab a Kona slot elsewhere…it worked last year for myself and this year for Itseazy and Eganski, due to the kickstart that an early season Ironman gives your fitness 
any advice on lodging?
Most of the other places in town are kinda run down. The Buccaner is the place to stay. It’s on the run course so you will be real familiar with it. Renting a condo might work out too. Just watch out for the taxi drivers they charge $20 a head to take you someplace. Might be worth renting a car and sharing the expense with some other folks.