Hammerhead on 8/30 - whose in?

is this race in JAX?  too far for me but I am also looking to do my first OLY

It's just west of JAX.

This will be my second year. Its a very well run race and its nice that its in camp blanding so the course is essentially traffic free. The swim is great! I was a little apprehensive of a lake swim in fl, but the water is VERY nice and much more clear than I would have expected. The bike is two loops with some small inclines (I wouldn't call them hills or even mention them, but if you are training in fl, you'll notice them). My only dislike about the bike was that I seem to remember it having a lot of turns so it was hard for me to keep my speed up. I had a bad race last year though so we'll see what I think about it this year. The run is great, one hill right about at the turn around point. It is as it promises, HOT! This year they added a sprint distance so that may change the course a bit (I'm not sure if they are going to all two loops now?)anyhow, its well worth the trip, I know the race director and the staff very well and its an excellent local race not to be missed!See you on the 30th!

I did it last year, may try to sneak in this year. Its a great race, well run, I thinks its a great choice for a first Oly.

It was hot last year, I'm going to see if I can get in right now!

I did the run portion the past two years as part of a relay team and like others have said, it is HOT!!! I have done OWS training out there and the lake is beautiful. There are some "hills" that the average Floridian will notice both on the bike and the run. The roads are not super smooth and there are quite a bit of slow speed turns and an out and back on the 2 loop bike course. The race is very well organized with some very fast athletes competing in it. We had the fastest relay team two years ago and still didn't have the best overall time. I would highly recommend the race.

I just signed up for this race, since it is so close to home.  I am trying to figure out how to swim in the lake before the race, any pointers?  Everything I see indicates there is no public swimming.

thanks,
Ken

I was fortunate enough to know someone in the National Guard who sponsored me so I could get a yearly pass on base. I can take anyone out there with me as long as we are in the same vehicle. The other two ways I know of are to go in with someone who has a military ID or know someone who lives on the lake outside of Camp Blanding and will grant you access.