I am participating in my first 70.3 this summer in Michigan! I am just hoping to get some insight on this course in particular (I know the swim has been canceled 2 of last 4 years) otherwise how is the course? Any transition recommendations for a first time 70.3er? Can you set up your transition the day before the race? and would you recommend that? Anything will help me out! Thanks for the advice in advance!
I had some similar questions before I signed up. You can check out my thread here.
I really like the course. The swim was a little choppy last year which made times generally slow (I thought). The bike has just a couple rolling hills and a few rough spots, but other than that it is very fast. The last 10 miles or so are super smooth and can be very fast depending on the conditions. The run is two loops and is fast except for a couple short hills, one of which will make your legs scream the second time around. It’s a great atmosphere and St. Joseph is BEAUTIFUL in August. Being Club Nationals the race is also highly competitive. I was just over 4:10 which left me out of the top 20 
Transition is simple as long as you remember which number rack your bike is in. Transition is very long and narrow so it can get a bit congested, but if you’re vocal and run fast you can get through pretty quick. The mount area is usually busy as well, so if the area isn’t clear don’t stress about doing a flying mount or it could end poorly. I don’t think it’s necessary to rack your bike before. It doesn’t take long to do it day of, and that way you can protect it from the wind which can be very strong on the beach.
Louie is right on point. I did this race in 2013, as my first 70.3, and had a great experience. Prior to the race, I read that they vary the direction of the swim based on which direction the current is running the morning of. However, I think they got it wrong in 2013 because we were swimming into 1-3 foot swells. So be prepared and do as much choppy, open-water training as possible. Transition is really long and narrow. I was constantly yelling at people as I ran through to make sure they knew I was behind them because it wouldn’t take much to collide with someone. The rest of the race was great. A few hills to deal with but a great first 70.3.
Not sure where you got your information, but he swim has NOT been cancelled 2 out of the last 4 fours. It has been cancelled twice in 11 years. Lake Michigan is a wonderful lake to swim in when the wind is from the east and the lake is flat. If a northwest storm blows in the weekend of the event, the waves could be up to 6-8 ft. Having been to the race each of it’s 11 years, I remember many more perfect flat swims at Steelhead then rough ones. Good luck with your training and I know you will enjoy the event!
In all fairness, it hasn’t been canceled 2 of the last 4 times. The first time it was canceled was in 2008 and it’s not a normal thing.
jaretj
I did this one last year, kind of at the last minute. I missed Muncie, so signed up & did this.
I registered for SH '14 probably right after registration opened. I loved it. Like mentioned, the swim was a little rolley, but once I got my timing down to breath at the top of the wave, it was fun.
I can’t say enough about the bike, it was a blast. The last 10-15 miles, with that tail breeze and seemed like a down hill, plus the crowd…awesome.
The hill on the run does test the quads 
If you do it, get your lodging early. We stayed in South Bend last year, but this year we got a reservation close to the race site.
Living next door to this event I’m obviously biased. Used to watch the race every year then one year decided to quit watching. Its a great venue and course. My experience is the bike once off M-63 can be bumpy. But once you’re back on M-63 it’s very smooth and fast. Benson road hill is the killer hill on the run. I was guilty of slow jogging (walking) this hill. Very steep and knowing its there for you the second go around played games with me.
They are building a new hotel next to the venue as part of the Harbor Shores development that includes one of the best golf courses in Michigan. In May the course will host for the second time the Senior PGA Championship (biggest Senior PGA tour event). So they are trying to finish the hotel in time for this golf event. Its a pretty big hotel on the St. Joseph River and if you can get reservations (not sure cost), that would be the place to stay. Here is a link: http://www.innatharborshores.com/
Hopefully the ice will be melted on the lake by then. Great Lakes set a record for ice coverage this year.
Good Luck and enjoy!
I’ve signed up for SH 2014 and looking forward to it! Is the running route tree lined or in the open. I’ve done Racine the past two years and it’s pretty hot (July --not much shade).
I’d say it’s a mostly out in the open. You do go through a couple of tree covered sections when you run in the Whirlpool campus, but I certainly wouldn’t call the run course shady.
Great news about the new hotel! Would be a great place for athletes to stay as they could bike/walk to Jean Klock Park! Harbor Shores has improved the “look” of Benton Harbor and the river front! Z
It’s my first year doing Steelhead as well. I did the RR pkg with IMWI, so it will be a final “tune up” to see where my fitness is at before starting my taper. Being flat, I hope to set a PR on the bike and run as well. I actually hope it’s pretty choppy to get some rough water experience in. I swam near the shore in some 2-3’ waves in the Naussau on vacation and it wasn’t bad. I grew up in Michigan and have swam all the great lakes at one time or another… except Ontario. 6-8’ lake swells are pretty cool and real interesting to swim in. IT’s the same time of year I used to go camping in northern Michigan, and I’ve seen both 85F + sunny and 55F and freezing conditions with ocean like surf… or larger crashing the beach.
Awesome feedback for Steelhead so far everyone! Thanks! Anyone have any more input on transition setup or tips for a first timer at the 70.3 distance? Some people have been naming off hotels to stay, any other ideas where I should stay and how close?
Awesome feedback for Steelhead so far everyone! Thanks! Anyone have any more input on transition setup or tips for a first timer at the 70.3 distance? Some people have been naming off hotels to stay, any other ideas where I should stay and how close?
I’ll just add that heat isn’t generally an issue at Steelhead. It’s August in the midwest so it could be hot but late in the summer there tends to be some air off the lake and temps in the 90s are pretty rare. I’ve done most of the Steelhead events and I can only think of one year that the heat/humidity was a problem.
Awesome feedback for Steelhead so far everyone! Thanks! Anyone have any more input on transition setup or tips for a first timer at the 70.3 distance? Some people have been naming off hotels to stay, any other ideas where I should stay and how close?
I just booked today and there wasn’t much left. $250 for one night at a Holiday Inn Express 5 miles from the park. You can pay less and stay 30 miles away. That new hotel mentioned above looks to be nice but I bet it will be $300+.
I’ve stayed at the Red Roof Inn in Benton Harbor. Not too far away and a half way decent hotel.
jaretj
The Silverbeach Hotel is just across the river from Jean Klock Park in Downtown St. Joseph! This property has been owned by a number of groups over the years. I’ve heard that the rooms are “worn” but maybe they have improved. Z
Boulevard Inn is a great hotel downtown St. Joseph too…Bistro restaurant inside the hotel is fantastic! Another possible option is rental homes in the area. This is a new home in Harbor Shores on the golf course and stones throw to the transition. Bit pricey but if you had other couples with you and wanted to stay a few days this would be a good option: http://www.vrbo.com/506966 I’m sure there are other homes listed on this site too.
Awesome feedback for Steelhead so far everyone! Thanks! Anyone have any more input on transition setup or tips for a first timer at the 70.3 distance? Some people have been naming off hotels to stay, any other ideas where I should stay and how close?
I’ll just add that heat isn’t generally an issue at Steelhead. It’s August in the midwest so it could be hot but late in the summer there tends to be some air off the lake and temps in the 90s are pretty rare. I’ve done most of the Steelhead events and I can only think of one year that the heat/humidity was a problem.
Its’ also Michigan… and despite what locals tell you, it doesn’t really get hot in Michigan, specially on the west coast along the lake. Not hot humid like Missouri, Iowa, the deep south, and nothing at all like Texas. It’s simply cooler overnight and dewpoints stay more reasonable and that makes a big difference. I remember being up in central Wisconsin last year and it was a “heat wave” even for mid-July. While it was hot, it wasn’t all that bad. But then again, anything over 60F on the run on a sunny day, is a little warm.
Rental Home in Harbor Shores would be perfect! Great idea! Z