The Great Illini Iron Distance

Triathlon Forum
1

Hello,

I’m considering doing The Great Illini Iron distance race this September. From what I gather this is the first year for the Iron although they’ve had a 1/2 IM in the past. Personally I love smaller non-MDot races, having done The Grand Columbian Iron twice. Has anyone done the Great Illini 1/2 IM in the past? I’d love to hear about the race. The website makes it look pretty good (and fast).

Thanks,
Hans

2

I did the half last year (about 2 hours from home). My race report is here:
http://www.tri-shark.org/Tri-Sharks/Reports/RaceReport_144_48.doc

Chris

3

Hans,
I did the 1/2 IM last year. LOVE this series…low key and very, very grassroots. Shawn and Tony (RDs) are super friendly and flexible. The times look super fast b/c the swim was clearly short. Bike and run were pretty accurate or so. It is FLAT and fast…in the middle of nowhere (no offense) in Illinois and it was 95+F there last year, as far as I can recall. So, because of all the cornfields, it is HOT and windy, but I was prepping for Kona, so for me, it was ideal.

I will say that you may have to be a bit careful w/ your fluids - I don’t ever recall them NOT having enough fluids and nutrition on the course, but if you do the full IM, that is just something to keep in mind since the race is so small.

I would be going again this year, but we have a wedding in Boulder that we don’t want to miss. Hope you get there!

4

I didn’t know there was an iron-distance race in IL! How far from Chicago?

5

It is down in Mattoon, Illinois, about an hour south of Champaign. As for the fluids concern, I share your concern and plan on volunteering for the race. My school (EIU) is the next town over and I will do my best to make sure that those of you participating will be well-fed and hydrated! :slight_smile: