When race organizers lie

Or are there just different perspectives on what constitutes a term like "flat"? Happens all the time between people on the boards.

Honestly, that does look more like what I'd call flat-to-rolling.  Like both Bens said, flat is a very relative term.  Generally speaking, 100 ft elevation change per mile is viewed by most people at hilly.  That file indicates half that rate for this run.

Your post raises an excellent point for others, though.  Don't rely on the race's marketing materials regarding course descriptions.  Instead, learn to read profile maps, and if possible, preview the course during training so you don't get an unexpected surprise.

You'll kill it next time!

I'll see what the race has posted first. If it's MapMyRide, I'll figure the hills are a bit harder than what it says. Their totals have come closer to what I see elsewhere, but the hill descriptions always seem easier. My preference is to map on something like Ridewithgps.com. Sometimes I'll use Strava too and get an idea of potential segments. Not so much to beat them, but to get an idea of what people are doing them. From the info there I can get an idea of speed. Sometimes the courses will be in Strava from previous years of the race. The entire course could be made into a segment or could search activities for when people did it in prior years. Do have to double check that the course is still the same.

Do know that your perspective on flat is not really uncommon for a number of people coming into the sport, so you have company there. A friend of mine lived in downtown Chicago and thought the area out here was a little hilly at first. He was a virtual twin to me athletically in about everything we did. After getting out and around more this perspective changed. The downtown area previously thought of as flat became pancake flat, which is what you were thinking with the track. That amount of flat doesn't happen that often out on road courses even when they say flat.

The course map is posted, but doesn't provide elevation. http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/Assets/Foundation+Events/Maps+-+Events/Map_WT_RunCourse012412.pdf

In the future, you can map the course yourself (using http://gmap-pedometer.com or something simliar) and check out the elevation.

I do agree with those that think 200ft of climbing over 3 miles is fairly flat or maybe "gently rolling" but certainly not "very Hilly". The "wide dirt trails" to me would imply a potentially not smooth surface. 

I don't agree that the term "flat" is relative.  Flat is flat. If I heard "flat and wide" I'd imagine a rail trail with zero elevavation changes except maybe at intersections or places it goes over a street.

I DO think descriptions such gentle rollers, some small rises, etc, those are relative.  Or, "mostly flat", would be acceptable.  But flat should be flat.

I race a lot and find there's always something a bit off between the description of a race, and the reality.  Often it's really terrible, like entire lack of water stops at promised intervals.    It's frustrating when you make your plans based on one thing and it turns out to be another.

Uh, I'm assuming that was directed at me, since it was a reply to my post...Now, I really question your judgement, calling me young and in-shape. Thank you!  lol!    (BTW, I'm middle-aged and arthritic)

Honestly, I'm sorry you had a frustrating race. 

Looking at the course map and reading their website description, it doesn't sound like they intentionally lied, but it does sound like they could have described it better by saying "flat to rolling", or something similar.  From their website:

Should have read Elaine's post above before making my comment.  Pretty much what she said about mapping the course yourself through an online app or better yet scouting the course yourself in person if possible.

Ha, I can't tell you how many times I've said "if they think this is FLAT, I'd hate to see hilly!!!" on the run of a tri.  LOL....

I did a bunch of the weekly tri series here. Think you ran the red trail. (Red = Run, Blue = Bike - from the weekly races w/ mountain bikes).

If you haven't run the trail, it is hilly, especially for the distance. Yes subjective...  There are a lot of ups / downs, some of which are pretty steep.

The storms we had this summer were not nice to the trails. They have added a lot of sand and "fill" (rocks) in many of the hilly spots where it was washed out.

Even the weekly series bills this as an easy / beginner triathlon location.

Cannot run the course in advance as Winding Trails is private and requires a membership.

Mitzi - you got it done!