First Long Course: 70.3 or non-"IRONMAN"?

Is a "fist" long course one where everyone gets punched in the swim?

Pick whatever race best serves your needs. Many excellent choices. The race is the same distance either way. For my first HIM I did a smaller race to get my fet wet, so to speak, so I wasn't paying for all the hoopla that I neither wanted or needed.

 LOL (I corrected it)

 Actually come to think of it. Are IRONMAN all mass starts vs. starts broken down by AG?

Agreed with what the others have said... Pick the one that best suits your schedule for training/race day.  Things I'd be looking at are

Location-- how many days I need to take off to get to the event/hotels
Course set up-- if you live in a flat area, do you want to be doing a race with lots of hills
is it hot, humid, shade/no shade?
swim - ocean, lake, wetsuit, non wetsuit... which are you most comfortable with
cost -- how much do you want to spend??
and of course the race itself... Is it a well run race?? check out some old race reports, or other racing that the same race director does.

No difference other than cost and qualifiers, each is unique.  I've done one NAS HIM and 2 non NAS HIMs.  They were all run well.  There are, however, non NAS races that have reputations for being VERY well run (i.e., Silverman) as well as those that are not very well run (no comment since I heeded advice and would be going on hearsay).  Ask questions and do your research

Actually, to qualify for the USAT championship (Halfmax?) I am not sure you need to do an IM brand.  Rage in the Sage in Vegas, for example, is a Halfmax qualifier.  You can also general entry into Halfmax, as I did.

That said, you will get more props wearing a Silverman HIM shirt than a California 70.3 shirt

Here is a very similar discussion, with the difference being 140.6 or non-Ironman branded race.

 http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=140600&posts=54&start=1

 Good discussion. Thanks

 I'll let my season schedule dictate. HIM is not much of a stretch for me, but I hope to move onto an IM in 2010 and will build my season around it. At that point I may go for the bling.

Stick close to home and something that is convenient.

KEJ - 2008-12-05 1:47 PM we produce 4 Half Irons, 2 that are Ironman 70.3's, and two that aren't. The Hoopla and organization at our races is all the same Look at what best suits you, and then definitely take a look at race reports....Each race is unique, and all have their merits

Are the prices the same?