For those of you that did the Syracuse 70.3 today, what did you think of the run?
Whilst I did not participate, I was given post-race feedback that ranged from “The toughest run I have ever done”, to “the best 1/2 marathon I have ever run”. The last one coming from a relay runner though. I also heard that some pros regard the course as being perfect for a 70.3 championship location due to the challenging course and location.
I did the inaugural race last year but skipped out this year. I plan to race again next year if the proposed June date is an actual reality. I’d also love to hear opinions on the new run course.
I did the inaugural race last year but skipped out this year. I plan to race again next year if the proposed June date is an actual reality. I’d also love to hear opinions on the new run course.
what is the proposed June date? i might squeeze it in again if they change the date and run from the first year. (i HATED running through the Ghetto the first year)
it’s not still a point to point run is it?
I did the race last year where the run went into the City of Syracuse. That run, because it was point to point, had an overall elevation loss. This years run was certainly a challenge but it was fair. The hills, two major ones, were steep but fairly short (about 1/4 mile each) and it was a double loop so you had to do them twice. After the race I was talking to someone from Florida and he thought it was very tough. Not a lot of hills down there. Last year I did the run in about 1:37 and this year it was a 1:34 so I was faster but I’m in better condition this year. Good race overall. Well supported.
Ironman 70.3 Syracuse to return yearly through 2013 | syracuse.com
Ironman 70.3 Syracuse Set To Return Through 2013
June 24th. The new run is a double loop around the Jamesville area. I assume it was pretty tough given the hills.
thanks
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In June there are also the following half IM’s in June
MoosemanQuassyTupper LakeTremblant
Lots of events to pick from. I’d strongly recommend Tupper Lake as I think it has the fairest course in the North east (with rolling hills throughout the bike and run). No Vegas slots, but Tupper Lake is the original Half IM in the North East and it it will be in its 30th year on June 30th 2012. I’m probably the guy who gives way too much money to the WTC, but Tupper Lake is a pretty good show. No star studded pro field, but let’s be fair, the WTC half IM’s typically only have 1-3 pros at best, the rest in the pro field are fast age groupers (No disrespect). Tupper Lake has everything you get in a WTC race minus the pro fields, Vegas slots and Mdot logo. What you do get is an entire town opening up to us, the athletes. The race is run by the track coach of the local high school along with some of his high school sport coaching buddies who do it as a purely volunteer job.
Sorry to hijack the Syracuse thread, but since people are considering Syracuse in June, I don’t want them to “not know” about Tupper. I think entry fee is around $150 too and includes a great pre event meal and post race BBQ.
i only did Tupper one year… but i support all your statements!
good race.
i’ll likely do it this year (2012)
Dev, you should come do Syracuse so you can make a fair comparison.
There are plenty of good race to chose from, and I suggest everyone get out there and see what is available.
Syracuse 70.3 nailed it this year with that run course, and if you took the time to look around on the bike, probably some pretty good scenery as well.
This is a legit race, with a tough course.
Post race food is pretty good at Syracuse as well. Pulled pork, chicken, salads, etc…
Takes place at Jamesville beach, which was good in September, but will be GREAT in June if you have kids as the water is great for swimming and there is a playground right on race site.
Syraucse 70.3 is ideal for people that race with kids in tow…plenty to do at the park while the family waits for you to come in…beach, hiking trails, huge play set. And all parking on-site.
Also, the race LISTENED to the racers. people voiced their concerns about the point to point run and the course and they addressed the concern.
Also, I got the chance to listen to Sam Warriner talk Friday night, and she is quite inspiring–she spoke about her heart sugery and coming back from that. Also chatted with her post race and she is pretty legit–an all around great person—no chance of that at Tupper Lake.
I wonder if the late June date will get the registration back up? I know Vegas must’ve sapped a bit from the ~1,700 who did Syracuse the first year, but I heard the overall field was down to ~1,000 this year. Did the sketchy weather from 2010 combined with a new, hillier run course drive that many people away?
I posted this thread because I thought the run portion of the course was tougher than average. It was certainly one of the toughest road runs I have done (I’ve done trail run races with more vertical). I think the run will scare away some of the older athletes and beginners. I do agree it would be perfect for a world championship. I enjoyed the bike, it was challenging but not outrageous and the scenery was beautiful. Some of the downhills were an absolute hoot. The water on the swim was cool (62 degrees) but didn’t seem that bad. The swim buoys could have been layed out better, my wife said I did a bit of a zig-zag on the return leg.
Overall support for the race was outstanding, it was very well run and the post-race food was some of the best I have had. Good job organizers and WTC.
On another note, I missed a WTC spot by one as there were only two in my AG (And I didn’t have my best day) and both top guys took them. I waited at the end to see if there were any spots available and watched the 45-49 yo males roll down to the 36th spot. That’s not right.
Dont get me wrong it was ubber difficult and I agree that it was probably one of the hardest half-marathon courses I have ever run. However, I think it fit the course and the region well. Syracuse is hilly, the bike course is hilly, therefore in my opinion the run course should be hilly. I think it was a difficult course and as such is posed a unique set of challenges to racers of all skill levels and helped to keep things interesting in the race for Vegas slots. Was it fun, not particularly, would I do it again, definitely.
Deak
I completely agree with you. Watching that slot roll down to 36th place killed me. I was in the exact same position as yourself, 3rd in M18-24 and we only got 2 Vegas slots as well. In my opinion the race director should have called up all individuals still present who were next in line to receive a roll down spot in their age group, put all of our names in a hat and picked out a lucky winner. Hats off to the guy who got it and I wish him all the best, but 36th is too far down the list.
I don’t have many HIMs to compare to but this run was exactly what I would expect from a HIM in the Fingerlakes Region of upstate NY. Actually, I’d hoped it would be at least a little bit challenging. I’m tired of uber-flat run courses mired by the region. Therefore, I liked it.
There were hills but I didn’t think they were killers (translation, I didn’t have to walk at anytime during the race and I am mostly pansy). The race support and volunteers were outstanding! There were bits of sun and shade. All around, a pretty good mix.
The only problem I have (of which I don’t have a solution) was the spectator unfriendliness of the run course. The run started at transition. You ran about a mile away and took a left hand turn. This started the loops. We did 2 loops without returning to transition until the finish. That made it hard for people to cheer during the run and see the finish line.
I would pick this run course over last year’s point-to-point and get bused back any day.
Unfortunately I don’t think they are going to change the rules like that in the middle of the roll down. I think they definitely have to look at the whole slot allocation process as a whole, I think the our age group (M18-24) and similar ones can get screwed sometimes with only having one spot. It all depends who shows up to race that day. I did IMFL in 2009 and two kids in 18-24 both went 8:59. They were seperated by a few seconds, and there was only 1 spot for Kona in our age group. Imagine doing an ironman in 8:59 and not qualifying for Kona? At the same time, if nobody good shows up it can go the complete opposite way, and a shitty time will qualify…it really doesnt make sense.
By the way, I think I was less than a minute behind you in 4th yesterday. Good race and congrats.
I thought the run was really tough, but fair. Same with the bike.
All in all I think this was a really awesome race. Its too bad there were less than 1000 people. That place could handle a race of 3000, the park is huge, and theres a ton of parking.
The only thing that I thought was weird was how the registration and check in was 20 minutes away at that hotel. They could have easily just set up a tent at the park and had everything right there in one location. Other than that, perfect race. The text message reminders were pretty cool too.
I wonder if the late June date will get the registration back up? I know Vegas must’ve sapped a bit from the ~1,700 who did Syracuse the first year, but I heard the overall field was down to ~1,000 this year. Did the sketchy weather from 2010 combined with a new, hillier run course drive that many people away?
I bet part of the date change was not to compete with the new HITS Series that is coming to Cooperstown, NY on Sept 22/23, 2012
Thanks. I think if I was healthy this year, I’d have done Vegas and then done Savageman the next weekend 
rather than Syracuse.
For next year, with Mooseman+Tremblant 70.3+Tupper Lake in the month of June, it leaves zero room to do Syracuse. Too bad they want to put it in June. As I said, I am glad to do WTC events, but they are giving me too many to pick from, and I do feel indebted to support local events when they are a short drive from home (Tupper is a 2:20 drive), because many of these local events have given to triathlon for many years (in the case of Tupper Lake, going on 30).
I’d probably do it if it was in July or early Aug…both June and Sep are already packed with many established events. I’ve never even done the Muskoka 70.3 (not really that far from home) because it is the same weekend as Esprit and I’ve supported Esprit since Danny McCann first started putting on races in the Olympic rowing basin in 1985.
Too bad we have so many 70.3 events here in the North East overlapping with established races…WTC needs to put more 70.3’s in Europe and Australia and especially New Zealand (zero so far) vs packing more into the North East!!!
Sorry again for the hijack. I am sure the folks in Syracuse put on an awesome race based on what you guys are saying!
I agree with you. They should give the spots to folks who should be competitive but I really don’t want to take away from the lucky guy who was there to the end. That must have made his day! Oh well this means I will just have to do another race to get there. Great swim by the way. I don’t know what happened to me. I’m usually good for a 31:00 but swam 35:00. Although my wife did say I was a little off course on the return leg.
Deak
I completely agree with you. Watching that slot roll down to 36th place killed me. I was in the exact same position as yourself, 3rd in M18-24 and we only got 2 Vegas slots as well. In my opinion the race director should have called up all individuals still present who were next in line to receive a roll down spot in their age group, put all of our names in a hat and picked out a lucky winner. Hats off to the guy who got it and I wish him all the best, but 36th is too far down the list.