WTC Ironman 70.3 vs Rev3 for 1st HIM

I did the Pumpkinman in Maine, and it was awesome.  Well run, the race director answered all my questions over the summer quickly and completely, and even remembered me when I said hello and thanks the morning of the race.  There were less racers but plenty of support and the volunteers were incredible.

If anyone lives in New England and is looking for a first half, this one is top notch.

Rev3 CedarPoint is a great race!  Excellent venue and superb organization.  More than enough port-a-potties and a feed station every mile of the run.

2011 was my first HIM and I'm going back in 2012 and bringing people along.

I have never raced a WTC 70.3 race (just spectated at Augusta 70.3 and done WTC full-distance races), but have raced a Rev3 half and three other independent half-distance races (Set-Up Events's SC half, DRC Sports' Atlantic Coast half and Greater Smokey Mountain Triathlon Club's Beast of the East). 

Frankly, I preferred the Rev3 and independent races for the 70.3 distance.  We are going independent for our full-distance race this year (Vineman) so will be interested to see if the trend carries through for full-distance races.

Depends on what you are looking for in a race, though.  If you want crowds and hype, go with the WTC race.  If you just want a good race, pick one that is close to your home or other good location.  Rev3 Knoxville was beautiful and well-organized.  I loved it. : )

I did Wildflower as my first HIM. So non-70.3 branded. But it would depend on which 70.3 it was. There is one in my area that's a very good race and a very good first time HIM race and I would have done that as my first if the schedule had worked out. The only reason I'm not doing it this year is because I want to do another race on the same day that I haven't done in a while.

Personally I don't think IM 70.3 races have the mystique of the IM brand. They slapped the brand on them but it hasn't got the history or the tradition so I don't really care if it's IM or not. I care about the race -- the course,  how well organized it is, how many of my friends are doing it, etc.

Actually, now that I've done two WTC IMs, I don't really care about that brand either. If I do an IM this year, it will be a non-WTC one that is local to me and won't sell out until a few months before.

Depends on which venues.  I like Rev3 Quassy - tough course, all through the country side and lots of hills.

I don't like IM 70.3 Providence, RI.  Nice swim, but they have now changed it.  Bike was okay but the run is horrible, boring and poorly outfitted at the stations.  

I like the Rev3 organizations, but a large factor for me is the venue.