Trying to firm up my schedule for the end of the year. Both Rev3 and Trirock have races November 9th in Florida. I’m curious to hear feedback from others who have done either race in the past or have done races in either series in the past. Thanks.
I did Rev3 Florida last year, and it was an awesome race. Great volunteers. I found all the small out and backs on the bike made it go by faster as I could mentally check them off one at a time and same with the 2 lap run. Flat and fast course if you are looking for a pb, but it could be hot on the run with very little shade.
Was the bike coned off from traffic?
I’m looking at them too. The Clearwater course crosses 3 petty decent bridges on the bike and one on the run, that’s the “intermediate” course. So pretty hilly for Florida. I ride 2 of them pretty often and they should be fun in a race 
My decision may be partial since I live 10 miles south on the beaches.
I’m looking at them too. The Clearwater course crosses 3 petty decent bridges on the bike and one on the run, that’s the “intermediate” course. So pretty hilly for Florida. I ride 2 of them pretty often and they should be fun in a race
My decision may be partial since I live 10 miles south on the beaches.
I live right next to one of them on Clearwater beach. This is my first year of racing but I’ll be doing trirock because it’s in my backyard. Other than San Antonio (FL) these 3 bridges are the hills of Florida haha.
I believe when you were going through venice one lane plus the bike lane was coned and once you got into the more rural areas they were open to traffic
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I’ve done both and I can say that I have been severely disappointed that they are on the same day now. I did the inaugural TriRock in 2012 and I have done Rev all years. rev is a great organization and puts on a fantastic event. Their bike course is a bit unimaginative, but I understand that they are working with what they get from the local governments. TriRock is an amazing race. I did Rev over TriRock because of the elite field in Venice, but I like the Clearwater course more. The swims are a wash, as they are both in the gulf and have the same conditions. The bike course at Clearwater is superior. 3 bridge crossings will keep things as honest as you’ll get in Florida. If you ride it right, you can put up a 40k pb. The course at Venice isn’t the best, and can lead to quite a bit of drafting, as it is pancake flat and there are only a couple 180 degree turns to break things up.
The run course at clearwater is a one lapper vs a 2 lapper in Venice. In Clearwater you go over the causeway and through the neighborhood (that played host to the former 70.3 WC) and back over the bridge. In Venice, you run on a sidewalk.
I might sound like I am against the Rev course, but the biggest distinction here is that the competition ON THE COURSE at Rev is normally at a higher level. If you are looking for a great course: pick TriRock. If you are looking for great competition: pick Rev.
Were they both coned off from traffic?
I’ve done Rev3 Florida and I was happy with the race. The gathering before the race meetings are fun with a lot of stupid easy questions so they can give stuff away.
The bike was completely flat with a few bridge crossings
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/404575515
The run was hot but the breeze from the water helped a lot in the beginning. I over-biked so I had a crappy run but the surface was good and aid stations were stocked well.
The area is nice with a lot of beaches to go to and finding shark teeth is a fun activity for everyone.
jaretj
I raced at Rev3 FL in 2012 - which was the first year of the race. Hurricane Sandy had just passed through the area, hence there was a >slight< amount of wind. And I’m used to wind! The bike course has changed since the first year, but the course is very flat (think bathtub flat). The roads are generally in good shape. It’s the potential for wind that can destroy you, if you’re not ready for it. There was quite a bit of drafting in 2012 as a result of the wind grouping guys up and the swim being canceled due to the storm. I can see why some might think the run was not as entertaining as some races given that it’s a two lap out & back. Frankly, I really like multi-looped racing venues. It is easier on my brain to process where I’m at and the likelihood of me always having something to look at (other runners) helps keep me entertained.
The volunteer corps that Rev3 attracts for Venice is really unparalleled. People are super friendly and helpful! Plus, the Rev3 crew goes out of their way to make folks feel special about their race experience.
As for the Venice/Sarasota area, you can’t go wrong. The area is flat out beautiful. Sugar-sand beaches, fantastic seafood. Understand that the proximity of TriRock may be compelling - but for me the drive south to do Rev3 would be well worth it.
I live in Sarasota, so I’m a bit biased toward the Rev3 race in Venice. They put on a great race. I’m in for the Oly this year.
As mentioned in an earlier post, part of the issue with the bike course in the past has been with getting the local permiting approved, but from what I’ve heard the local officials and Rev3 have developed pretty good working relationship, so I don’t think it will be an problem going forward.
The big rumor going around is that if the race goes well this year, they’re considering adding a full next year.
Mark
I did Rev3 as my first 70.3 distance tri in 2013. I loved the entire experience. Rev3 put on an incredible event that personalized the day for me as an athlete fairly new to the sport. The busy roads were coned off so that one lane was devoted to bikers and the other was left for cars. Though wind can be a factor, as mentioned above, the shift of the course to the 2013 route made it so that in almost every case you’d go out and back on the same roads so that you’d get a tail wind if you had been facing a headwind.
I wrote a recap of my experience at Rev3 Florida 2013 for anyone interested:
http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2013/11/rev3-florida-race-recap.html
And my review of the experience at the race and expo:
http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2013/11/my-rev3-florida-703-race-review.html
I’m trying to decide between these two races as well. Going to drive down from NC and spend a few days in order to get a race in this year. Don’t get back to the states until October so not much going on that late in the season on the east coast except for Florida.
Thanks for the info you have all mentioned. I think I’ll try the Rev Olympic. Looks like both courses would be fairly flat/fast and Venice is a bit less of a drive.