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Race Reports for HITS Triathlon Series: Ocala - Half Iron Course

[1]
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: Advice to athletes - Do a HITS race. Price is right, and organization is solid. But, I would not focus your season on a HITS, as it is just not as consistent as I would like to see. Advice to HITS - You have a great product. Advertise it accurately. Don't overpromise! You don't have to. People only expect things after you tell them they will be there. No coke at aid stations, no problem! A 7:15 start, no problem. Snacks only at the finish, okay. A mostly trail run, awesome. But they become problems when you tell people coke!, 7:00 start!, hot food!, and mostly pavement run!
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[2]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

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

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

  • Comments: I thought the race was a great value and venue.
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[3]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

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

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

  • Comments: a little better food and some direction on one part of the run course whould be nice. Race director was really nice
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[4]
Reported by:
Race rating (2)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

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

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

  • Comments: I am only writing this review to be the contrary opinion. But I want to post this because I don't actually feel that safety on the bike course is a "frill." Every 70.3 I've done has been on roads open to traffic but this is the only one where I've had an issue and it's something that I feel the race director should address in future years. Also running out of water on a run course is something I can never understand - it just doesn't seem that complicated to make sure you have enough water (300 racers 2 cups at each stop = xx amount of cups/water/ice). I assume I was just a little unlucky in my timing at these water stops because otherwise it would be in other reviews. Which is okay it wasn't a disaster or anything. But, I will not do this race again - sorry. For those that choose this race be prepared to be very "on your own."
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[5]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

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

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

  • Comments: I signed up when price was $75 and what a bargain! I'll definitely do another HITS race and recommend them to others, despite the small problems. The race was lacking in volunteers and aid stations. The race packet listed multiple items they'd have at each aid station but most offered nothing more than heed and water. This could have been a disaster if I planned to live off the course more. Overall the event staff was very friendly and I liked to extra touches like the bike racks and stools (except they gave me a blue stool instead of pink, haha!). I really CANNOT believe I won the race!!! I know it was a small field, but still, a major accomplishment for me, and I didn't feel I pushed too hard and wasn't too tired after! The race had the best prizes I've ever won: Rudy Project glasses and a fuel belt (I needed for IMTX) and made me feel very special for winning. I got to run through a banner and there was camera man there asking me how I felt. It was cool!! I am more excited than
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[6]
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 did the Olympic distance race here last year and HITS has the best/nicest transition area of any triathlon I've ever done. Personal stools and individual slots for each bike are a big upgrade over one bar and no assigned space to lay out your stuff. Good job by the people putting on this race and very well priced. Some people complained about the T-shirt/Medal quality but I don't know where else you'll get a half-ironman for $75. I'd be happy with no T-shirt or Medal for that price.
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[7]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

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

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

  • Comments: I only paid 75 dollars for this race. It was pretty organized overall but didn't have a party atmosphere, which was fine for me. I'm not into hoopla and like a more quiet relaxed scene. There was a great playground area that kept my son very occupied while he and my husband waited for me to finish the run. If it continues to be reasonably priced, I would do this race again next year.
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[8]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?

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

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

  • Comments: Overall a nice race. I can't complain I paid $75for the Half for the early registration. I knew costs had to be cut somewhere. Besides the rain, it was nice. Some real good competition and plenty of people out there.
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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? Below average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Great to have the feel of a local race with the support/planning/execution of a larger one. They had the "feel" down but it would have been a lot better if some of the race was not shared with traffic (which I understand is impossible for a 100 participant event - even if you are charging $250 for a half). Volunteers did an outstanding job but I am glad I wasnt near a pack as each aid station had 1 volunteer. The lake swim was the best Ive done in florida, clear & calm water, nice lake. The bike was ok, it was flat. The road surface was satisfactory, nothing to complain about but not new, smooth roads. Very backwoods, if you like looking at trees, this is the race for you. The run through the trail was nice and in the shade, but on soft soil so a bit of extra work. Out on the road there were long sections without shade and it was hot, but its florida and thats what you train for. The organizers worked hard to execute this event well. Finishers medal is junk, which makes me sad
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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 really loved the HITS weekend. My 14 year old placed 2AG in the Sprint and my husband placed 14OA in the Oly on Saturday and it was fun to hang out and watch them race. The race director knew all of us by name (something he works on very hard) and the volunteers went out of their way to make sure we had what we needed. I'll look forward to watching this series take off. They really do offer a race distance for everyone.
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