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Race Reports for Ironman 70.3 New Orleans

[1]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?No

  • 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 raced New Orleans last year and loved the course so much I wanted another shot at it. Unfortunately, I should have stuck with the memories. The swim should have been cancelled, end of story. When you lose a quarter of your athletes to the swim, that speaks to the conditions. Winds that were never below 25 mph and only got stronger as the day progressed made this a really rough day. However, all that being said, I am strangely more proud of this year's finish (my worst 1/2 ever) compared to last year's (my current PR) simply because I was strong enough mentally and physically to overcome such awful conditions. Generally, this race is considered a good race for first timers, but I would say that comes with a HUGE caveat that the weather will truly dictate on this course.
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[2]
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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: Great 70.3 race. Very well organized. Official accommodations are a bit stressful being as far away as they are. Great first 70.3 because of course layout. One complaint: more porta potties in transition, please!
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[3]
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 a race that I would highly recommend for anyone looking for their first IM experience. NOLA puts on a great race and the course is very forgiving. Do not bother staying downtown, because the race is about 10+ miles away and that can make for a stressful drive in the morning.
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[4]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?No

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

  • Comments: I really think this is a very good race, save the logistics. The bike aid station is the only complaint I have (granted it's a big one). But I would recommend this race for anyone's list.
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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? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: The swim isn't great (nasty water), but the marina swim works and they seem to have fixed the swim cancellation problem. The bike and run courses are fine, and the volunteers and support were great. This race suffers most from its logistics. Registration is nowhere near transition (and bike drop-off), and the race does not finish at transition. But I love New Orleans and would do this race again. Unrelated to the race, but I can't say enough good things about Bullfrog Water Armor Sport gel-based sunscreen. I applied one layer at around 615am, and did not burn at all, after all those hours in the sun.
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[6]
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Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?No

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

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

  • Comments: I think this is a great race for people looking to do their first HIM. I also think that mine is a cautionary tale -- make sure you hydrate properly and prepare for the weather!
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[7]
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: Great event. New Orleans is not my cup of tea. This race was my 2nd choice (I missed the registration for Galveston, so this was the other early season race in relative driving distance). The event, however was well organized and well put on. I would do it again, but would stay more toward the suburbs away from the hassle and traffic of N.O.
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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: Nutrition went really well for this race. Loaded up properly on carbs for 48 hours prior. Had a very well though out plan for nutrition during race. Salt tablets made all the difference. Very bummed about the bike and what that did for the run. Keep wondering how much worse it would have been if I hadn't put in the hours I did. Just wanted better results for all the work done.
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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?No

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

  • Comments: Good race for me but my wife is the story here. So very proud of her. Her first tri was a sprint in 2008. Her second tri was this one. After only being on the bike since January-ish she had a great day in tough conditions. So proud. New Orleans was very interesting. Lots of stories, lots of sights, lots of fun. But the only thing I take away from this weekend was my wife had a good first 70.3 and we had a great weekend.
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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? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: My 2nd time at this race... Logistically difficult for family..Didn't like the finish line change from the French Quarter to City Park... Love my time in New Orleans French Quarter but plan to do other races in the future.
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[11]
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? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Next year?.... I want to win
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[12]
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: The race organization was great. I know that there were some complaints about the time trial start because there were people that didn't get in the water until almost 2 hours after the pro wave started. Fortunately, my age group was the second AG wave and I didn't have to wait long. This race was well run.
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[13]
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? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: It's a nice course but it's a nightmare for spectators. I don't think I would come back unless they changed the course to make it more spectator friendly.
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[14]
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? Below average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: If you pay $200 for a race and you finish 2 hours ahead of the time limit, shouldn't there be food left? They know how many athletes are there. They ran out of pizza after they had already limited each person to 2 slices. I had a bowl of grapes and a beer. Who eats those grocery store brand chocolate chip cookies? It just seemed like the wrong place to skimp on necessary amenities. We left to go in search of food. This was my first WTC event and my first HIM. I was really impressed with NOLA police being everywhere and never had any concern for safety. Volunteers were plentiful and friendly. Very few spectators but the ones that were out there were awesome. There was too much made about spectators needing to leave the harbor by 9:30am. As a result my husband saw none of the race because he feared he wouldn't get to the finish at Armstrong park. Next time we'll know. Overall I was really happy with my performance. Disappointed about the loss of time on the run, but I still came in
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[15]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?No

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

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

  • Comments: It was my first 70.3. I planned on fishing under 6 hours so 5:40 feels good. I definitely made some mistakes but I'll work on those before I do another 70.3 or 140.6. At the end of the day I was happy and excited for my sprint tri next month.
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[16]
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: Water quality will continue to be an issue inside of the marina. The time trial start really slows things down and spreads everyone out. I would think they could start from a floating platform (barge) and get an entire wave started at the same time. The bike is as good as could be expected and the run is better than multiple loops. The RD had a very good plan in place for getting participants to and from the start and I saw no issues with transportation. The after party was great with plenty to do, see, eat, hear and relax.
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[17]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?No

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

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

  • Comments: First WTC race I actually raced at (volunteered at IMFL last year). They know what they are doing, and it shows. They could not help that the wave runners were late, and they let us know what was going on. It's expensive but hard to beat. First time in 2 years the swim part was not cancelled. It was not the best swim venue, but nothing that I would say was negative. The entire experience was awesome, the support of the city and the volunteers were AWESOME !!! Glad to have this first one under my belt. Going to recover and then the REAL training starts in June - IMFL 2013
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[18]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?No

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

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

  • Comments: Great overall race. The course is really awesome. Smart move by the race director to move the swim into the protected area. Bike course was one of the best I've done. It's flat and fast, sans the wind. Run course is really nice and flat and scenic. Great finish in the park. Crowd support was minimal along the course. It's just not one conducive to spectators. The ones who were there were great. I tried to thank them all, as well as the volunteers. Best sign of the day: Ironman, ain't nobody got time for dat. First WTC event I've done where there was only a medal at the finish. Almost always get a hat or shirt. No big deal, just odd. Food was good, although the limit of two pieces of pizza was odd. Red beans and rice and beer was excellent. They really shut down most of the course. Police were everywhere. Really impressive. Overall a fantastic event. It was ~11 hour drive for me and I would definitely return.
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[19]
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: My goal of 4:45 was hampered by getting lost on the swim course and my secondary "satisfied" goal of 5:00 fell apart due to poor run performance. Any easier on the bike and I would have felt lazy, but considering my average pace was an 8:20 min/mi even with walking the aid stations, I feel a standalone half marathon could have been finished in 1:38, so time shaved would be under fifteen minutes from the run while eight to ten minutes would have been gained on the bike. A net difference would have been plus or minus five minutes
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[20]
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: Other than starting later that I would have liked to on the swim.. Very good race. I counted about 350 people who either didn't finish or show up for the race (no times)..
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[21]
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? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Overall a positive race for me. Felt like the bike went well even if other segments did not. Time trial swim was very nice. Not much traffic to contend with. Bike course was flat but wind added a level of difficulty. Run course was pretty flat and uneventful. No finisher swag at this race - no visor or finisher shirt. Not that I need another visor. The weather this year was definately more pleasant.
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[22]
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: Fantastic race, great organization and management. Would recommend to anyone as their first 70.3. Glad that the swim went off without a hitch this year, and that the weather was picture perfect. Volunteers, post-race festivities and band were tops. Traffic leaving the park was a little crazy though. Ran into a local neighborhood parade twice, and then got caught in traffic for two separate festivals/parties and then hit race traffic. But it's New Orleans. There's always a party going on somewhere.
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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: love this race, this the second time doing it and hoping to continue doing it.
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[24]
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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: Great Race
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[25]
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  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

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

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

  • Comments: James Moeller Bib: 762 Last Location: Finish Last Time of Day: 12:45:14 Division: M 30-34 Division Place: 71 / 135 Overall: 511/1133 Gender Place: 411 /803 Wave: Wave Start: Age: Hometown: SLIDELL LA Location Distance Pace cTim Place (O'all/Div) Run 2 mi (18:41 min) 9:21/mile 00:18:41 981/128 T1 (1:55 min) 00:20:35 Bike 52 mi (2:29:31 min) 20.9/mph 02:50:06 339/41 T2 (4:46 min) 02:54:51 RunSplit 1 (17:44 min) 8:52/mile 03:12:34 558/ RunSplit 2 (30:20 min) 8:26/mile 03:25:11 581/ RunSplit 3 (1:14:45 min) 8:48/mile 04:09:35 563/ RunSplit 4 (1:28:37 min) 8:47/mile 04:23:28 573/ Run 13.1 mi (2:05:26 min) 9:35/mile 05:00:16 661/87 Finish (05:00:16 min) 05:00:16 511/71
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