Any less challenging 1/2 Ironman races?

That's why I picked Steelhead in comparison to Muskoka. 

There are lots of race reports on here and they will tell you about the courses.  It seemed that Steelhead was mostly flat with some rolling hills.  In general it seemed like it would be a good 1st HIM.

No such thing as an easy 1/2 ironman.

...and the OP didn't say "easy"...just "less challenging."  There are such things as HIMs that are more challenging than others.

My run at Vineman 70.3 in 2008 = 1:48.  My run at Wildflower this year = 2:17.  I won't say Vineman is "easy"...I will say it is less challenging than some other HIMs.  Whether it's "less challenging" enough to meet the OP's needs is open to debate.

You have to remember flat courses usually include wind.

So Gulf Roast I mean Coast comes to mind(flat bike and run).  But did I mention its usually low 90's.

Beach 2 Battleship
Florida
Augusta
New Orleans


The first two for sure are flat, I believe N.O. is as well.

Yeah, That's a relatively flat one (snicker)

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find one that gives you enough time to train for. if you are adequately prepared you will be ready for just about anything.

x 10 - Fred has a great point.  the most challenging workouts i have had are on flat ground - track workouts! they are just plain brutal.  when i run/ride hills, my legs seem to lose the energy far faster then my cardio does. . on flats, i can push hard enough that my lungs are burning (high HR) and my legs are screaming at me. 

anyways, boise 70.3 wasn't too bad, only a few hills, with only 2 that are appreciable.  the run was completely flat and almost completely shady (not that it mattered, as it was 60F and raining).  i was really happy with how well IM branded races are organized

Spirit of Racine in Racine, WI has a pancake flat ride and a run that has only two small climbs (2-looper so 4 hills). The swim is in Lake Michigan which can be very cold and has been very choppy some years, but you didn't say anything about the swim so...:-)

It's a fast and fun course.

Antwerp HIM - Flat course, but you have about 1 to 2 km of cobble stones in the middle of the ride. Oh yea, you'll probably have a nice stiff wind. The run is great - lots of crowds in the old town.

Superfrog 1/2 in coronado. bike is very flat.... only the run is all in the sand..

Wildflower is certainly a more challenging course than Vineman, but Vineman is not a "easy" course relative to a lot of other 70.3's.

If you're looking for flat, Redman in Oklahoma City is very flat. But like someone else said, this comes with wind and also you are just pushing hard the entire time on a flat course. I like a hillier course so I can relax/spin on the down hills. With a flat course you get very minimal rest/down time.

If you're willing to leave the official 70.3 Ironman series:

Sprit of Racine is a very fast bike course with one hill on the run (you'll do it twice). Wisconsin

Miami Man is pancake flat and the run is flat as well through the zoo. Florida

Where does the OP live?

If by 'less challenging' you mean 'not hilly', then I'd say that White Lake Half is very flat, though there can be wind. (There was this year.)  The swim is very calm and clear too.

I have to say that I find it harder to keep my effort up on flats than on hills.  So mentally, at least, I find flats more 'challenging'.

Lonestar in Galveston.  Flat race and put together very well.  It is in April so the Texas heat will not have set in yet.

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All I keep telling myself is "respect the distance". 

I chose a course that was similar to where I train.  It's not far away, it's in a large lake and the course is relatively flat. 

This being said - I've also been training consistently and I'm more than a little scared of the race.  I'm just hoping to go out, have fun and enjoy the day!

I did New Orleans this year and would HIGHLY RECOMEND it to anyone! It is a super flat and fast course and was perfect for my first HIM. Everything about the race was amazing!!

Besides terrain consider time of year and how it will fit into your life. I know lots of Northern athletes did NO this year but most hadn't done any ows and how much outside riding had some done.

For me living in MA easier to do a HIM well trained in late June earliest but August or later would allow me to be fitter.