used to be IMFL, now it’s IMAZ !!
West Coast
Flat
Cool Temps
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WTC has added races in the Southwest and East Coast and created competition for IMFL.
The West Coast is still under served for full distance races. They haven’t added races in that region. Its still a mass start race, WS legal, 3 loop course (more spectator friendly). This only applies to a small number at the event, but, the race is long enough after Kona, that you can do both races, than take a long off season or focus on shorter distance races in the spring and early summer. Spent 1/2 the year going fast, and 1/2 the year going long. That plays well with overall development.
Because it is easy
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Repeated exposure to the crud in Tempe Town Lake will build immunity, which will come in handy during the zombie apocalypse.
all jokes aside…
-Tempe is a nice town, lots of restaurants, scenery (think ASU…) and the weather is good in November.
- there are tons of hotels within a very short walk to transition
- its a great spectator course if you’re bringing family (multi-loop bike & run with lots of places to sit & camp out along town lake.)
- not a bad course to race on either (i actually liked the bike course though people call it boring)
Because it is easy
That’s largely a crap response. The fact that it’s not your holy IMLT doesn’t make it an unworthy race.
The race is really close to SoCal, Tempe is a nice town, the course is super spectator friendly and the timing allows for summer build-up, those are big draws.
Honestly, the actual course for racers is pretty boring. Tempe Town Lake is lame, a three loop bike course is drab and running around the lake three times pretty much sucks. It’s really great for family though, easy to see their loved ones multiple times throughout the day. Also, the tri club tent city has almost more energy than the finish line as you run through it, which is nice!
Ask yourself, if you were a one-and-done IM racer would you simply be looking for an easy course? Probably not. You might shy away from races like IMLT but those are few and far between on the IM calendar. More likely, most folks looking for the bucket list tat will be trying to find a race that meets their schedule and geographically works for them. Some may go only for a PR but that’s not why it’s so popular.
Because it is easy
That’s largely a crap response. The fact that it’s not your holy IMLT doesn’t make it an unworthy race.
The race is really close to SoCal, Tempe is a nice town, the course is super spectator friendly and the timing allows for summer build-up, those are big draws.
Honestly, the actual course for racers is pretty boring. Tempe Town Lake is lame, a three loop bike course is drab and running around the lake three times pretty much sucks. It’s really great for family though, easy to see their loved ones multiple times throughout the day. Also, the tri club tent city has almost more energy than the finish line as you run through it, which is nice!
Ask yourself, if you were a one-and-done IM racer would you simply be looking for an easy course? Probably not. You might shy away from races like IMLT but those are few and far between on the IM calendar. More likely, most folks looking for the bucket list tat will be trying to find a race that meets their schedule and geographically works for them. Some may go only for a PR but that’s not why it’s so popular.
You get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. o) A little touchy?
I just stated a fact. I did not say it was bad or good. Nice to have lots of choice for folks. It is still easy compared to others. Is this not a fact?
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Because it is easy
That’s largely a crap response. The fact that it’s not your holy IMLT doesn’t make it an unworthy race.
The race is really close to SoCal, Tempe is a nice town, the course is super spectator friendly and the timing allows for summer build-up, those are big draws.
Honestly, the actual course for racers is pretty boring. Tempe Town Lake is lame, a three loop bike course is drab and running around the lake three times pretty much sucks. It’s really great for family though, easy to see their loved ones multiple times throughout the day. Also, the tri club tent city has almost more energy than the finish line as you run through it, which is nice!
Ask yourself, if you were a one-and-done IM racer would you simply be looking for an easy course? Probably not. You might shy away from races like IMLT but those are few and far between on the IM calendar. More likely, most folks looking for the bucket list tat will be trying to find a race that meets their schedule and geographically works for them. Some may go only for a PR but that’s not why it’s so popular.
A week before, you can do another multi loop course in lake havasu for the HITS series… but it doesnt sell out because you cant get an IM brand tattoo easily… IMAZ sells out for snob factor.
Easier than some, yes. Easier than most, no. Most IM races these days pretty much fall in line with IMAZ as far as course design.
Easier than some, yes. Easier than most, no. Most IM races these days pretty much fall in line with IMAZ as far as course design.
I would disagree that most course designs pretty much fall in line with IMAZ. Most don’t have an out and back swim. Most don’t have a three loop bike. Not sure there are any others. Most don’t have a three loop run. Again not sure there are any others.
I used a poor choice of words. By course design I meant difficulty.
Other than location, the seasonal weather on race day would be one of my biggest concerns when picking a race. You can prepare for a course but if you have issues with certain types of weather that would be a bigger problem than a course layout.
Easier than some, yes. Easier than most, no. Most IM races these days pretty much fall in line with IMAZ as far as course design.
Just wondering, which IM races are easier since you say not easier than most?
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Did you see the finish line for the overall winner of the HITS full? Thats one of the reasons why that race pales in comparison to IMAZ. IIRC it looked like two dudes in the dark holding up a banner for the girl who beat all the guys.
Easier than some, yes. Easier than most, no. Most IM races these days pretty much fall in line with IMAZ as far as course design.
I would disagree that most course designs pretty much fall in line with IMAZ. Most don’t have an out and back swim. Most don’t have a three loop bike. Not sure there are any others. Most don’t have a three loop run. Again not sure there are any others.
Actually IMLC is a three loop bike and three loop run course…
Primarily because it’s seen as beginner friendly (it is), Tempe doesn’t hike hotel prices, and there’s tons of places to stay, it is easy driving distance from California which has a historical lack of fulls nearby (now there’s lake tahoe, but longer drive, and Challenge, longer still…), and allows for a nice training period into the fall to avoid any real summer heat.
I did it as my first, and liked the course generally. Only reason I’d do it again is the above, easy to get to/from without a lot of dough
Won’t get into the easy/hard debate, but I’ve only done Whislter to compare it to. Personally I’d much rather have the climbs to break things up than 5-6 hours of flat aero - killer on the back if there are any position issues
H20, have you done the race? Is it easier than Tahoe, sure, but It is still an Ironman. For why it sells out, how about time of year, affordable accommodations, fun town, great support, predictable weather…all reasons to sign up. I signed up for IMLT this year and got burned(no pun intended). I am choosing to not sign up for that race again because I am not going to put that much effort into a race and cross my fingers on weather, fires etc. I lived in NorCal for 17 years and know what late September is like(i know you do as well). I would much rather sign up for IMAZ, which i feel is more dependable.
Brent
H20, have you done the race? Is it easier than Tahoe, sure, but It is still an Ironman. For why it sells out, how about time of year, affordable accommodations, fun town, great support, predictable weather…all reasons to sign up. I signed up for IMLT this year and got burned(no pun intended). I am choosing to not sign up for that race again because I am not going to put that much effort into a race and cross my fingers on weather, fires etc. I lived in NorCal for 17 years and know what late September is like(i know you do as well). I would much rather sign up for IMAZ, which i feel is more dependable.
Brent
I did not start the battle. I just offered one attraction was it is easier. He then stated nope, other IM’s are even easier. Still waiting for an answer as to which IM’s are easier. Not saying good or bad,
but for many, having a flat bike is what they want, for others, nope. Great. I am not making a judgment. I just want to hear what other IM races are “easier”. :o)
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Because it is easy
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How do you know until you see who is on the start line? If Potts or Hoffman show up, I’d think it would be a VERY hard race for the other competitors.
All I know is many folks in my area go do this race as their first IM since, ITO, it is the “easiest” IM to do.
But, still waiting to be told which IM’s are easier as has been stated on this thread.
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