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Race Reports for Ironman 70.3 Steelhead 2008

[1]
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 loved this race and Benton Harbor. I am already signed up for the 2009 race. I look to make a lot of improvement. I had a great time1
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[2]
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: Just right

  • Comments: Great course! Beware of hotels in Benton Harbor. The Lake Breeze Inn is NASTY!! Run away!! You'd be better off sleeping in your car. If you're going to do this race, book the hotel a good 8-12 months in advance.
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[3]
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?
  • Overall course based on my ability: Too hard

  • Comments: Cool race. For all the complaints I've read I will say they do a good job. Great venue and I love the St. Joseph area. I'd think about doing it again someday.
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[4]
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: need to train and come back and redeem myself next year
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[5]
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? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Overall this race is first class compaired to other races I have done. There are lots of great people helping out. The course is beautiful. The pre-race, goody bag(shirt, socks, water bottle), and website information were top notch. During the actual race I was never in fear of mismanaged stops, turns, or poor road conditions. 5 star job all around for volunteers and organizers. Although they canceled the swim, they handled the mega shift from swim to run for the first leg with effiecency. The organizers should get some props for pulling off a plan B with relative ease.
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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: Organizers did a great job dealing with the chaos. They managed to get everyone to the run start after the swim was scratched. They also had to deal with tons of road construction to put together a nice bike course. The run course was well supported too. I agree with many others that this event is getting crowded. The venue should get better as there is major development going on (new golf course, resort, trails, parking) occuring over the next couple of years.
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[7]
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 I thought this was a good race. It seemed organized and the volunteers were great. I think there were a few hundred too many people in the race which caused a lot of headaches on the bike.
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[8]
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? Below average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: This race is not as well organized as a Ironman 70.3 race should be. I've done lots of Capri Events races, and this had to be one of their most poorly organized. There were no signs directing you where to go at checkin, course markings were minimal, there were no signs telling traffic that there was a race going on, there was no communication about the cancelled swim start and how the short run would be organized, the finishing shoot was way too short (you had to completely stop within 10 yards), and there were not enough volunteers at the finish (I saw several people drop to the ground and not get caught). Add to that the expo was really weak, the bike course was really crowded (because they started the slower groups in earlier waves), and the event location (read parking) is not adequate for this number of racers, and you get the point. I had a great time, but that was due to the good attitude of the other racers more than to the organization of the event.
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[9]
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: Overall, I think organization was great, especially since they had to go to the backup plan of a duathlon. It appears they try to run a race for the elites and also try and accomodate the back of the packers. One day I hope to be a middle of the packer. I'll get there. I really liked the distances and think I can do it again next year.
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[10]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?

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

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

  • Comments: Too bad that we were not allowed to swim, it doesn't feel like a real Half-Ironman that way, also the bike was a little shortened Otherwise it was real fun, the bike course was awesome! I am looking forward to doing it again next year!
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[11]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?No
  • 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 almost want to give this race a 2, because it was the poorest organized race I've done in my 4 years of tris - BUT the actual course was great. I hope they learn from their mistakes this year and it improves in the future. I did learn that 70.3 races are not guaranteed to be well run races. The only reason I see to do one is to qualify for Clearwater. Would I do this race again? Maybe, but not for a while.
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[12]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
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: We bagged on this race alot, but in hindsight it wasn't really that bad. The course itself was pretty good (except for the road surfaces). That being said I don't see myself driving 12hours to do this one again.
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[13]
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? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: A little hard to rate this with all the changes that were made. They volunteers along the course rocked. They were great. Wish I could have swam but oh well.
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[14]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

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

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

  • Comments: Looking back, I really did enjoy this race. We were quick to complain about some things that we thought could have been improved(info in race packets was different that some last second rule changes announced at the meeting, could never find a t-area opening time in packet). But really we were expecting more from a 70.3 branded race after doing 2 indy HIM's. That just shows we've got great indy races closer to home. I learned that I don't need the hype of a IM branded race but am glad that I experienced one...especially since I'm going to Clearwater. I do think I'd do this race again if it fit with my schedule, but since it's 12 hrs from home, I doubt it will be really soon.
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[15]
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: The crowded bike course rubbed me the wrong way. It certainly didn't help that I was in one of the last waves. I really enjoyed Racine and think I'd pick that race over Steelhead. I tried to make it into Benton Harbon on Friday early so I can try to meet some of the BT folks. I just couldn't get out of the Chicago area early enough to make it. I wanted to thank them personally for all the information they've shared prior to the race in the forums. It was my first time at this race and I didn't get a chance to see any of it prior to this trip. So thanks everyone for all of your help! It certainly helped me to have a good race.
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[16]
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: race was ok, they did what they needed to do for safety reasons I guess, I just personally came to the conclusion that I don't enjoy Tom Ziebart (race director) events very much as both this and FL 70.3 have the same feel and issues. Other than that this race experience was a completely blast! staying at the jazz house with the BTers and also those we hanged out with at the race/pots race was entertaining as hell, what a bunch of nuts, I mean fun crowd! It was very nice meeting all the BTers and it was just fun times and just because of that I would do the race again :)
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[17]
Reported by:
Race rating (2)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?

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

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

  • Comments: Despite the havoc created by the change to a duathlon, this was a nice race. I don't know if I would do it again or not. I think Racine is a little nicer. May have to check out the Door County HIM next year if I recover well after IM CDA. Staying at the Jazz house with a bunch of BTers was a blast. Even though I was continually harassed for being quiet (cough, Trixie, cough, Whizzzzz) I would do it again for sure. It was great meeting everyone.
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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: Too easy

  • Comments: An awesome race and everything would have run on time had it not been for the water conditions. The race directors did an excellent job and I would love to do this race again if it weren't so far away. There are some pretty amazing atheletes at this race so it is really awesome to get to take apart in a race with people of that ability.
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[19]
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: Good race. I hated that they turned it into a DU, but safety should always come first so they made the right call. I thought the volunteers were great and the course was fun and fast. My only major complaint was the cramped space for thew amount of athletes. I truly think they outgrew this venue. A little dissapointed in the perceived quality of this race being an IM branded race I though it was a little lacking in several areas. That said I really had a great time racing with lots of fun people on a fun course and that's what is most important.
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[20]
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? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Too easy

  • Comments: The organizers of this race had an un-enviable decision to make and they did the best they could, given the situation. Those waves and riptides were insane, and the coast guard had issued a red-flag warning for the area. There wasn't anything they could do about the swim, but they quickly changed everything around and the race started with a re-routed run and bike course within an hour. Pretty impressive. The biggest issue with this race is it's size. They had tried to address this issue by scheduling the waves at 6 minutes apart. When the race started 1 hour late, they HAD to shorten that gap, and with only a 2 mile start, the course was obviously going to feel tight. Some times that's unavoidable, but sometimes, the athletes are to blame and not the RD. If you don't want to participate in a big event with a lot of other athletes, do NOT do this race. It is crowded. It's not hard to figure out that the course will be crowded when it allows 2700 participants- PLAN ACCORDINGLY
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[21]
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: Just right

  • Comments: All about making adjustments and taking what the day gave me. Felt great about finishing and adjusting my plan to keep moving forward. The volunteers at this race are absolutely incredible. I'll be back!
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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? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I won't knock the event because they changed it to a DU and some logistic issues came up. It did seem somewhat disorganized at times, and it did start an hour late, but I saw no way to prevent this after cancelling the swim. The aid stations were well run and well stocked, even though I was in the back half of the pack. I would do this one again, though for next year I will look at other halfs for a change.
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[23]
Reported by:
Race rating (2)
User photo
  • Organised?No
  • Events on time?No

  • 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: Not the worst race I have ever done but not the best either. Gulf Coast and Chattanooga blow this race away. I went in with high expectations given that this is an Ironman 70.3 event. I won't be doing this race again. Issues: 1. Expo was a joke. I don't pay for an expo, but, for example, at GCHIM, you could find deals. Not only were there no deals, there really wasn't anything for sale. 2. Many inconsistencies with information that the race packet had with what we were told at checkin (wear race number on the bike; 4 vs 3 bike lengths, etc). 3. Way too crowded on the bike. I don't mind the drafting, but putting 2000+ people on a 2 lane country road is terrible. 4. Road conditions in some parts were a joke. Chip seal is bad enough but tire ruts in the pavement? 5. No signage on the bike course warning local residence of a race in progress; I almost got hit twice by greedy drivers trying to drive on the bike course. 6. No shuttles or any support to get back to your car
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[24]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?

  • 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 prob. will not do this race again.
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[25]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?No

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

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

  • Comments: I was not happy with this race, not because we didn’t swim, I think it probably was the right call, but I have seen worst, but because of the logistics. I didn’t like parking a mile away from transition, if you have family or kids this makes thinks very tough. Transition was terrible really had a bad place, believe me I would rather run a 100 yards in my shoes any day than running in my socks or bike shoes with my bike, and I had to do it twice. It was organized ok and volunteers were great, but I was just not impressed with this event, I would say I won’t do it again.
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