Best 1/2 IM triathlon Race (Page 2)

 I considered Longhorn a fantastic race--very well supported and organized and a fun atmosphere.  The bike was rough in some spots, but the swim was nice, and I loved the three loop run with very enthusiastic aid stations in costumes.

Savageman.  Everything else is just a race.

Savageman is an adventure and a test of your heart & soul.

I see that you did it in 2009.  The roads have gotten real, real bad.  2011 was just awful when exacerbated with the drought.  The middle 30 miles of the bike course was a bone jarring rattle fest.  The only real good road conditions were the last 15 miles or so on the main road heading back to T2.  But that was offset by the fact the road was very busy and the shoulder was about 5' wide which made passing a nightmare.  I was in a later wave and went 2:30 on the bike and passed hundreds of people and it got very sketchy at times.

Plus it's just in an awful location.  It's not really in Austin.

I've only done three... San Juan, Rev3 Cedar Point, and a small regional one.

I have to give the nod to San Juan (now Ironman Puerto Rico 70.3).  

Absolutely beautiful all around, plus it is flat and fast on the bike, historical views on the run, and of course sub-tropical weather.

I've only done one HIM (3x) so I can't really offer any perspective.  In fact, I haven't even raced outside my home state...so I really have no idea what other races can be like.  Sigh....

I seem to barely race in my state (Texas) anymore. 

The last six races:

New York

Arizona

Texas

Texas

Canada

Florida

Next year:

Texas

Idaho

Canada

I've done:

Kansas 70.3 (5x)
Redman 70.3 (3x)
Austin 70.3 (1x)
Vineman (did the full but it's the exact same course as the half)

Of those, by far, Kansas is my favorite. Standard lake swim, challenging/hilly/FUN bike course, 2-loop-with-only-one-hill run through the camp grounds  - which you can camp during race weekend for under $30 and wake up steps away from the start line. Only con is the unpredictable weather. That race has seen everything.

I've done

Oceanside 70.3 (4X)

Wildflower half (2X)

Pumpkinman (Lake Mead)

Orangeman (San Clemente)

Miami 70.3

Of those, Wildflower by far.   Even though independent, has a "70.3" feel, and is very challenging.  People talk about how hard the bike is, compared to the run the bike's a piece of cake...  After that, Oceanside.  It's the first 70.3 of the season so it gets a lot of hype,. and everyone's ready to race by then.  Great race

2014 has New Orleans and Silverman 70.3, but don't expect those to live up to oceanside or Wildflower

There's good odds that Wildflower might be cancelled next year so there's that.

Mike, I agree that Savageman is a great race, but IHMO, to imply it's some ultimate test or adventure beyond all other events is a bit of an exaggeration.

There are a lot of other great events out there to choose from.