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Race Details Ratings 171 Reports 188

Race Reports for Ironman 70.3 Austin 2009

[1]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Awesome organization. The different location transitions did my head in but only because this was the first time I'd experienced them and top of the travel from out of town logistics, it was just one more thing to worry about. But, as it turned out, I really liked transitioning in a different place. The inside-the-arena finish was fantastic. Great cauldron of emotion to reward the race effort. Keith and the organizers of this event sure know what they're doing. All the stations and volunteers on the 3 loop run segment were tremendous. The distractions of music and frequency of stations really help get you through the 13.1 miles. A+
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[2]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Pretty decent food afterwards. Finishing in the arena was pretty neat. This was my first big race so I was pretty happy with everything, but I don't really have anything to compare it to.
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[3]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: This race has been done in 2007, 2008 and 2009. I raced it in 2007 and Jonny did it in 2008. Each year the race has been setup slightly different from the year before. I think the 2009 format is the keeper! It was so nice to NOT have to walk back to the arena with the bike, from the park. Last year that was so dangerous... cars on the road... people still running... racers going home... not good. While the two transitions takes more work, if they remove the setup of T2 the day before, it will be perfect. They had enough buses to take athletes to the swim start... the FIRST TIME this has happened at any race I've been to that has shuttles. It's so much less stressful if you know you can make it to the swim start on time. I was a little hesitant on the 3 loop run course, but I loved it. If they never bring back the off road portion or Quadzilla, I'll be fine with it. I really don't enjoy running in grass anyways. The finish in the arena was great. It was nice to have a
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[4]
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User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: I REALLY iked this race.. they did a most excellent job. I was impressed!
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[5]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I was surprised at how bad the after event food was. Maybe all the good stuff was taken by the people finishing first but all i saw were the bad taco's and a baked potato. I expected more for the crazy high fees.
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[6]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Very top notch race. Would definitely do it again.
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[7]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: First HIM and I will never forget it! I would do this race again. Hopefully they will be able to enclude Quadzilla in the future, you know, for a challenge!!!! I want to thank my wife for putting up with all the crazy hours these past few months. Also my friends and training partners, I couldn't have done any of this stuff on my own and you all played are part in this achievement. Thanks!!!!
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[8]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Great event. I had an awesome time. I'm amazed at how good the athletes are, some of the times are incredible! My family thinks I'm a masochist but it's not so torturous as they picture it to be. Feels great to finish and know that you did what you set out to do. Now I'm thinking when/where should I sign up for a full IM?? On a side note: both Tri's I've done have run out of 'free beer' way too soon, maybe it's just an Austin thing but they need to take into account those of us who like to self-medicate after a race :-)
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[9]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: The race itself was great- very well organized and a very fair course. The expo was fun, there was a lot to do- very spectator friendly and the athletes were very well cared for. It was an exciting event! The course: some people described the race as 'rolling hills', but that's not exactly right. It isn't exactly flat, but 'hill' is the wrong word, too, except for the 2 real hills. It was a lot like Michigan, I guess, with just enough incline and wind to keep you honest. The thing is though- the roads are just so awful, compared to what I'm used to, that I can NOT recommend the race without explaining the conditions- I would never, ever ride it again, ever. It felt so unsafe with all the giant cracks that go WITH your wheel- even if they were well marked- you had to still avoid them, and avoid people who were avoiding the bumps and cracks. Scary. And then, there's the other surface- the chipseal crap that they use in Texas, apparently, to 'pave' their roads. If you ride on chipseal, or
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[10]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I had a wonderful, wonderful time in this race. It was my first 70.3, and it was really well-organized. Only complaint is the condition of the roads -- I saw lots of people fixing flats, and 3 times on the ride emergency vehicles drove by. There were LOTS of volunteers, and I thought they did a great job! It was also great for me to represent Team WILD (Women Inspiring Life with Diabetes) on the course. Thank you SO much to the other racers who encouraged me when they recognized my team colors -- I was touched by your cheers.
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[11]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: For my 2nd HIM (only 2 months afer the 1st) I'm happy with how my day went. Aside from wanting to PR, I didn't set any times goals for this race. I was just under 2 minutes slower than last time, BUT I felt a million times better throughout the day. My nutrition was spot on for once, and I think I finally nailed down precisely what works and what doesn't.
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[12]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I just love this race. It's been fun to grow as a triathlete along with the event. I already have several friends and training partners who want to do it next year. I'm ready to register.
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[13]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: This has been the best 70.3 I have been to. They did it right! Over all I had some rookie lessons learned but I was happy with my finish time considering.
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[14]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: What a great race! I've done lots of great races, and this one is totally different. it is really spectator and family friendly, has a relaxed aspect to it while also being a top-notch race. The volunteers were incredible! Its a course with enough of a challenge to make it interesting, but not too intimidating Oh! How did I forget? They handed out foam longhorns and cowbells to the spectators. Does it get any better than that?
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[15]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: this is my second consecutive Longhorn Ironman 70.3. I will look forward to next years race!
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[16]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: Great race. The great things overwhelmingly outweighed the poor things. Big THANKS to Keith and his team...
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[17]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Overall it was a great race. Volunteers were plentiful and helpful with great attitudes. Aid stations were very plentiful. Well marked course. Very organized and efficient. Would highly recommend this race to anyone looking to do a 1/2 Ironman!
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[18]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Great race production and organization. Email communications were a bit confusing but a combination of BT threads and applying logic and common sense helped quite a bit.
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[19]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Below average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: The chip seal roads were kinda rough to say the least. Post race food was tacos and baked potatoes that weren't good. But whateva, I enjoyed the ice cream they had.
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[20]
Reported by:
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: Great race! I actually liked this run setup much better than the original plan. I think it was great to start and fisnish through the arena and it made it a much more fan friendly race.
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[21]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: Endorfun puts on a fantastic race. They really care about the athlete's experience and it shows. Overall a fantastic day. And just a conglomeration of everything good- family, teammates, effort, fighting through the wind, a little luck to get an official finish, and then the overwhelming feeling of actually finishing. A year of training and intention to get here, and I did it! And not only was I not the last finisher (second from last) but I didn't have the longest time either. But even if I would have been, it wouldn't matter. I am just so happy to have finished, with an official time! And I am so stoked to keep training and improving and do it again next year!
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[22]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Overall, a great race. The run course was brutally boring, but I understand the last-minute change due to the trail conditions. I can't blame the race organizers for the bad roads either. They are what they are in this part of the country. I had been hoping for a 5:30 and my stretch goal was 5:15. I was on pace for 5:10 until the last 3 miles, but even then, finishing at 5:21 ain't so bad. Despite what I thought of as a bad run, it was good by other standards. I put my age group results into an Excel spreadsheet and did a little sorting and math out of the 340 in my age group: 2 people passed me in T1. I passed 31 people in T1. 63 people passed me on the bike. I passed 8 people on the bike. 0 people passed me in T2. I passed 25 people in T2. Nobody passed me on the run. I passed 55 people on the run. 0 people who were slower than me on the bike beat me overall 81 people who beat me on the bike lost to me overall. Only one runner faster than me finished with a
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[23]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Keith's races are the best I've been to, period. Longhorn is an amazing achievement, given the size of their undertaking. Austin has an awesome RD in their town that anybody would love to have working in their neighborhood. Well done, Endorfun.
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[24]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: A very awesome experience for my first 70.3. Thank you Austin, Ironman and my friend Tanya for hosting me!
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[25]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: While I appreciate all of the effort that went into planning this race, I honestly feel like it's "trying too hard." With the arena finish, the race had two transitions this year, which meant 3 "gear bags" - one which had to be checked in the day before, and one which had to be packed up mid-race or you wouldn't get your wetsuit/goggles/etc. back. It just seemed like so much effort just to finish in the arena - which was cool, but not something I'd have traded off for that transition setup and gear bag logistics. It was way more complicated than racing should be, in my opinion. The bike course roads were rough, with lots and lots of turning and cornering. I realize there are only so many roads to work with, but it was honestly the worst bike course I've ever ridden on. I've never seen so many items launched off of bikes - tubes, C02, bottles, full nutrition packages, I even saw a saddle bag in the middle of the road. Just really rough out there. And while I am not a big fan of multi-loop
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