Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread (Page 12)

Forums

Forum guidelines BT super discount

Updated posts

My threads
No new posts

My favorite threads

General Discussion

Iron Distance Race Groups » Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Rss Feed

Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller

of 13

opiejoe

2009-04-06 2:03 PM

in reply to: #1852786

Veteran

211

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

While i did not achieve my time goal, it was by far my favorite race to date!!!! The wind was tough on the bike & run was HOT, but they could not control the weather. With a few adjustments, this could become THE 70.3 to do next year. We had an awesome time & will probably do it again next year.

My Race Log

the bear

2009-04-06 2:49 PM

in reply to: #2065259

Resident Curmudgeon

25290

The Road Back

Gold member

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Joe_h - 2009-04-06 9:55 AM heard there 3000 racers how can you possibly ride clean w/ that many folks on the bike course? looks like a very cool race but sounds a tad crowded.

Worked the race with a crew of race officials, of which I was the least experienced. Some of these guys had fifteen years experience and work a dozen WTC races a year. The consensus among us was that there were few if any packs of riders out on the bike course. I gave out only three penalties the whole race. Everyone seemed to be well spaced, some times we had to speed ahead a mile or so just to find groups of riders who **might** be in a position to cheat.

Great course along the lake, through the marshes and through the city, I enjoyed riding it on motorcycle and mountain bike (run course). RD must be a miracle worker, had major highways, even interstates, completely shut down to non-bike traffic. There were some glitches, all the bottle exchange stations appeared to be under-staffed and apparently some were under-supplied as well. The second penalty tent had no one working it. But these are glitches that can be fixed. I enjoyed working the race and would be glad to do it again next year, unless I decide to race it.

As far as the weather, typical Louisiana, hit or miss. If the race was held Saturday, highs would be 5° lower with much less humidity and milder winds. If they held it today, temps would be 20° lower (high today ~60°!) but winds would be significantly stronger. If you don't like the weather here, hang around an hour or so.

My Race Log

lisac957

2009-04-06 3:29 PM

in reply to: #2066106

Alpharetta, Georgia

Bronze member

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

the bear - 2009-04-06 2:49 PM even interstates, completely shut down to non-bike traffic.

Saw a couple of references to this and had a question. I always had heard that Interstate Highways could not be completely shut down (excpet for something like weather or an accident)... was that interstate completely shut down both ways?

My Race Log

skipg

2009-04-06 4:01 PM

in reply to: #1852786

Expert

1194

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

I thought it was a great race. Even though I thought the aid stations neded a little more variety and the transition being in one place, the swim start over there and the finish on the other end of the world was a little bit of a pain.

I must have spent close to $200 on taxi rides to different places this weekend.

All in all it was great....The finish was awesome!

the bear

2009-04-06 4:07 PM

in reply to: #2066215

Resident Curmudgeon

25290

The Road Back

Gold member

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

lisac957 - 2009-04-06 3:29 PM

the bear - 2009-04-06 2:49 PM even interstates, completely shut down to non-bike traffic.

Can't say for sure. If it makes a difference (and it might) this was I-510, a spur that dead-ends at the lake.

My Race Log

Tri-a-betic

2009-04-06 4:19 PM

in reply to: #1852786

Veteran

354

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Definalty doing this one again next year. Does anyone know if the promotional deal is still going on for the 2010 race for those who did the race this year?

My Race Log

sesh

2009-04-06 6:30 PM

in reply to: #1852786

Champion

5117

Brandon, MS

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Coming out of T1 was just awesome. People were lining the streets and I heard cowbells clanging. I totally hugged the curb, buzzing some spectators and pretending I was doing a Tour de France time trial. And the finish chute was absolutely incredible.

Badmaan got pretty emotional at the post race as well. Pretty moving story, and it was cool to be there for it.

My Race Log

cwsiii

2009-04-06 6:47 PM

in reply to: #1852786

Veteran

321

Georgia

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Edited by cwsiii 2009-04-06 6:51 PM

My Race Log

zia_cyclist

2009-04-06 7:14 PM

in reply to: #1852786

Master

2381

Dallas, Texas

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Check out these pics. What a difference one day makes. This is the swim start area today. Glad the race was yesterday!

swim start

My Race Log

skipg

2009-04-06 7:50 PM

in reply to: #1852786

Expert

1194

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Holy crap glad it was yesterday!

ADollar79

2009-04-06 9:37 PM

in reply to: #1852786

Champion

5529

Nashville, TN

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

I give big props to the city for putting together a great course for us.

And thanks to The Bear for giving back to the sport by serving as an official.

My Race Log

Panama

2009-04-07 11:20 PM

in reply to: #1852786

Member

Hermitage TN (Down the street from Nashville)

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Since this was my 1st HIM I didn't know what to expect and I had a fabulous time. My swim went better than I thought and actually swam better than most people in my wave, next time I'll get up there in the front so I wont have to go around so many people. My T1 was smooth, didn't mind the rocks or the short jog. I was kicking butt on the bike until the winds got the best of me around mile 30 and then it seemed like I was dragging a parachute. That took alot out my legs and the sun and heat did'nt help when I started the run. All in all I had a great time and met some really good people. Thanks for the invite to dinner Zia, Tony, Bear , Mamatri and family and for making us feel welcome. Will be doing it again next year.

Too bad they ran out of water at the last bike bottle exchange, I have a suspicion there was plenty of double dipping going on, but no biggie. The bike course was excellent, a few spots where it was bumpy but always closed to traffic, plenty of room to pass. The finish was awesome couldnt ask for a better way to finish the day.

Haaruum

the bear

2009-04-08 8:34 AM

in reply to: #1852786

Resident Curmudgeon

25290

The Road Back

Gold member

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Here's an eamil fromthe race director to one of the NO tri clubs addressing some of the issues uncovered on race day, and his plans to make 2010 even better:

Rick,

I want to start by saying a big thanks to everyone that decided to participate in the 2009 Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans event this past weekend. It was a great event in many areas but yes I do realize that we will be making changes for the 2010 event.

i made several notes as the event was unfolding on Sunday to change for 2010.

1.) Portable Toilets have to be provided near the transition and swim start for the 3,000 spectators that showed up.

2.) We will continue to encourage athletes to bring there own bike bottles with water to the race starting line. The water supplied by this event or any event is supplemental water. (With that being said the 6,000 bottles of fluid provided on that course for the 2,580 athletes that started the event will now be bumped up to 9,000 bottles. Also the location of the 3rd bottle exchange will be changed so athletes heading out on the bike cannot hit that station in the early portion of the bike course. The first bottle exchange is at mile 15 and not mile 10 on the bike course which is what happened this year.

3.) There will be an ice truck placed at the 10K mark of the run course that can drop off ice during the event to each run course station. That ice station will have two golf carts to assist with the distribution on the closed run course.

4.) More Portable Toilets will be placed at transition and swim start

5.) More Shuttle buses will be provided to swim start, and at the event finish to assist with athlete transportation back to transition..

6.) The finish time of this event for 2010 will be strictly enforced by race management. The cut off time is 8 hours after the last wave begins. I left the finish line open until the clock reached 11:00 hours which of course was 6:00pm. That move got me in trouble with city officials because I did not have Decatur Street opened at the time that I promised them it would be opened at 6:00pm. But I felt at the time that it was worth it to give EVERY athlete the opportunity to cross that finish line.

7.) The expo and registration area for this event will be moved. The hotel space is way to small for this size event so we are looking at one of the major locations in the downtown area for the 2010 event.

8.) The awards presentation location and times will be reviewed. I would like to try and do just that presentation in Jackson Square if I can get city officials to allow that to happen. This way its on site and more convenient for race management and athletes.

This is just a small list of the things that I will change for the 2010 event. Premier Event Management is fully committed to make this the best 70.3 event in the world and with the continued support of my staff and the hundreds of volunteers from this past weekend we can make that a reality.

On another note, I received from the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation this evening our first review of the economic impact of this event on the city of New Orleans. I'm very proud to say that the 2009 event had a positive impact to the city of $6,325,801.00 based on the number of athletes traveling to and from our great city. Now that's something we should all be proud of!

Thanks again for your continued support!

Bill Burke

Race Director

Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans

Ironman 70.3 Augusta

Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens

Nautica New York City Triathlon

Honolulu Triathlon

Hy-Vee ITU Triathlon

The Nations Triathlon

2009 Dextro Energy ITU DC World Championships

My Race Log

LazyMarathoner

2009-04-08 8:56 AM

in reply to: #2070483

Pro

4608

Brooklyn, NY

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

the bear - 2009-04-08 9:34 AM Here's an eamil fromthe race director to one of the NO tri clubs addressing some of the issues uncovered on race day, and his plans to make 2010 even better:

Wow, thanks for sharing this. I thought it was really well organized, particularly for a first year event. There are always glitches. It sounds like 2010 will be even better!

My Race Log

wstchstrTriathlete

2009-04-08 8:59 AM

in reply to: #1852786

Master

1410

White Plains NY

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

from what everyone has written about this race, I might consider this for next year!

My Race Log

cwsiii

2009-04-08 9:13 AM

in reply to: #1852786

Veteran

321

Georgia

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

In reply to Bear's post above, this is very good news regarding the awareness that changes are needed to make this a first-class event, IM branded event. First off, the course was awesome and I really enjoyed the event. However, the first-time issues of this new race were apparent throughout. 3000 athletes raced this event in some form or fashion at $225 each - there is no excuse for a IM brand race to run out of water or not have enough to serve all athletes (regardless of double-dipping or whatever), to serve warm gatorade on a hot run course, to not have ice at aid stations on a hot run course, or to not cater somewhat to the spectators accompanying the athletes, particularly at the transition area where there were zero toilets for non-athletes nor any type of refreshment stands or the like.

On a related note, the strict enforcement of the mandatory meeting was unnecessary and pointless if you read the website informaiton, but this needs to be adapted to prevent the bottleneck at registration from all of the people running out of the meeting at the same time. Maybe they could hold your race number or something like that to make sure you attend, but prevent the lines.

With a bit more attention to the neglected details, particularly in providing a decent experience for the spectators, this could well become one of the most popular 70.3 events around.

My Race Log

dakdag

2009-04-08 10:37 AM

in reply to: #1852786

New user

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

some pics from nola.com

http://photos.nola.com/gallery/4500/The%20Ochsner%20Ironman%2070.3%...

dakdag

2009-04-08 10:39 AM

in reply to: #2070933

New user

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

more

http://photos.nola.com/gallery/3838/Ironman%2070.3%20New%20Orleans

lisac957

2009-04-08 11:42 AM

in reply to: #2070933

Alpharetta, Georgia

Bronze member

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

dakdag - 2009-04-08 10:37 AM some pics from nola.com http://photos.nola.com/gallery/4500/The%20Ochsner%20Ironman%2070.3%... />
Wow the one of the "disabled competitor" takes my breath away.

My Race Log

sesh

2009-04-08 12:36 PM

in reply to: #2071150

Champion

5117

Brandon, MS

Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

lisac957 - 2009-04-08 11:42 AM

dakdag - 2009-04-08 10:37 AM some pics from nola.com http://photos.nola.com/gallery/4500/The%20Ochsner%20Ironman%2070.3%... />
Wow the one of the "disabled competitor" takes my breath away.

That is incredible. I heard the announcer start the PC athletes on their swim, but only caught a glimpse of them. I thought it looked like two people were tethered together. Turns out they were and it was a blind athlete and his guide. Saw them on the way back in on the bike riding a tandem. So it was Lieto, Macca, Badmaan, other pros, the blind athlete on the tandem... definitely caught myself in a moment of awe at the whole thing while I was riding.

My Race Log

microspawn

2009-04-08 2:33 PM

in reply to: #1852786