The Chattahoochee Challenge has new Half Iron distance...

I agree, a lot of people here are doing the triCharleston on the same day.  Im glad I didnt sign up for it when I saw this one in Columbus.  I just refused to have to drive all the way to SC if I have this one 1 hr away.  

I will admit I was a little hesitant, since it was the first time they were organizing a half distance tri, but decided to take the risk...  Hopefully it will work out good.

I just saw the course maps, I didnt notice earlier that they had a brief description of each on the left side.

I did the Soldiers HM a few months back, I loved the course, Im not sure if they share any part of it...

Do you know which are the "good hard climbs" they are talking about?  I wouldnt think they'd have many of those around that area...  Anyways, should be good prep for Louisville!

I would love to drive down there sometime before the race to ride the bike course...

Okay I have checked out the course on the map and I know the route very well. there are bunch of up and downs for hills. a few long steady climbs. but like the description said. low traffic. the first part of the course is on the columbus river walk. then you can drop the hammer on the back side of the airfield. flat minimal grade if any.   if there is one it it might be a cat 5. but i doubt it. i'm not a strong cyclist and i can pull off this ride. good scenery.   road surface is good except one small part on fort benning where the road has sections but nothing a road or tri bike can't handle i have ridden both of mine on this course.  i can check with a buddy of mine that is entering the same race and see when he plans on riding it.

the swim portion like in the descriptions is in the river. i have swam in it plenty of times. nothing to worry about. you will pick up some current heading down the river but on the return end you will not hit current becuase you will be blocked by the boat ramp. so take advantage of it. not strong but still is some.

and it looks like the run it on the river walk. no real hills at all. it is a paved path. might do some crossing of a few empty lots. but I would say a fast course.

hope this helps

Great course report, thanks!

Looking forward to it.  Im resting (healing) this week from a Sunday race, I expect to start hammering out by this weekend!

I assume this will prolly be wetsuit legal...

I would definitely be interested on heading down there sometime before the race to ride the bike course!

Cheers.

I just signed up today for this race.  Like the original poster, was looking at a race further away (New Orleans HIM) but decided closer was better this early in the year.

Kind of hard to put in the bike miles this weekend when it is in the 20's and the wind blows you into traffic.

Thanks for the course details.

hey Mike

not to take over the thread but what did you decide as far as the later part of the season? you can PM me.

I did the Columbus Oly last year (well, part of it...  ) and stayed at the Marriott across the street from the start. It was a few bucks more (maybe $10-20), but the convenience - and not having to worry about race-morning parking - made up for it.

My review of the hotel:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34859-d582349-r118062736-Columbus_Marriott-Columbus_Georgia.html

- Kerry

I could not find a mapping of the bike course other than the Google Map on the race site, so I did this:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/70809014/

Hope it is right.

Hope it helps.