Ironman Kansas 70.3 (Page 2)

Actually, it looks like the elevation profile image has not been updated.

Edited to add: But if memory serves, the road out of Cedar campground wasn't too bad of a hill. Hickory, I'm not sure.

Edited by VeganMan 2008-05-28 4:21 PM

Agreed!

Hopefully they'll post the revised elevation chart sometime soon!!

The run has one maybe two small inclines on each loop. Both of the loops through the campgrounds are shaded. I think people will really like the new course...very spectator friendly. Both of the campgrounds are packed with campers plus crossing transition/finish line on each loop should provide constant support.

The run course is a relatively easy course...but not fast since it is a winding course.



Edited by rrobinson 2008-05-28 6:07 PM

I like the sound of an easy run course especially after the IronCross I wish everyone safe training as we hit the last few weeks!!

Thanks for the update!

Thank you, I hope the best for you as well.

I see IMKS 70.3 isn't listed as one of the races where Ironman.com is doing the athlete tracking but notes that more events will be added as they get closer....any idea if this will be available in Lawrence...??

Can anyone tell me about the bike course? Specifically where is 460th rd when it comes off 851st diag rd. (Actually E 100th Rd) The maps I looked at show the road as n 700th Road (Douglass County) or E. 125th St (Osage County) as there is no 460 rd the goes thru to the turn around at South Shawnee Heights Rd. I'm I confused?

This is a pretty good map:
http://www.ironmankansas.com/course.php

I rode it this morning (holy ...I'll just leave it at that)...and there was indeed a 460th rd. I had the same confusion that you did looking at Google Maps.

I don't remember how far down it was before you turn onto 460th, however you know you've hit it because there road dead ends into a construction site (they're working on a bridge) and the only place you can go is either back where you came from or right onto 460th street.

The road out to the intersection of 460th and E. 100th is probably the easiest stretch of the course (in my opinion) but will be really challenging section if there's wind. Luckily, there wasn't a bad wind today (just enough to really push me into a dark place and wanting to throw myself under an oncoming tractor on the third leg, but that's a totally different story).

Once you turn onto 460th you've got about 4-5 miles before you turn around and come back. That road does a "T" into South Shawnee Heights Rd. There are a handful of hills in this section. The worst of which is after you turn around to come back (you fly down that sucker, but then you have to haul back up it). I'll admit it. I had to walk up it. That and two of the hills in the third leg (that first one on 1029 is a never-ending nightmare...you'll run out of gears and still only be a quarter of the way up).

..but I'm a sissy on the bike...but I should also say that I dominated the uphill coming back into the iron-cross section of the first out and back.

Blah.

I'll bet money that I have the LONGEST bike split of the entire field. Seriously. I got owned today. That's what I get for living in the flattest city in the midwest (Chicago). There is a very strong possibility I will not make the bike cut off. VERY strong.

So Ryan...if you're out there reading this...go easy on us BOPers. Pretty pretty please? You can take my chip and shut down the finish line, but I'm still going to cover the distance.

Anyone know anything about where race day parking is going to be?
Would we be able to leave after the last bike has finished?

Also, is there a specific location (more than just "downtown") for the Expo and packet pick up?


I haven't seen anything on the website or athlete guides.

Race day parking.
If our plans hold true there should be plenty of race day parking...that is dependend upon the weather...like all things in this line of work. Cars will be able to leave after the last cyclist is in...even before depending on wear you park. The times of entrance/exit closures are spelled out in the spectator guide.

Expo:
9th and New Hampshire Downtown Lawrence.
You shouldn't miss the stage in the middle of the street and the 50 foot by 40 foot banner.
People...make sure you are there on Friday night for the concert...it is going to be incredible. Seriously.

Not to hijack this thread but I have a question for all of you...and this is a vague and impossible question.

What do you guys think is the percentage of people that will be traveling with family or spectators to the actual race site on race day?
50%?
40%?
60%?

I know that this is a very spectator-friendly venue and that people will enjoy themselves...especially going out to the iron-cross to watch the bike....but it is always hard to gauge something on a first year event.

I am trying to figure out food for the spectators...and this directly correlates to the food for the athletes.

..thoughts.

Thanks.






Edited by rrobinson 2008-06-02 5:16 PM

My guess would be closer to 75%. And the people that bring family/spectators will make up for the people that don't. I think that there will be at least 1 spectator for every participant.

I'll say that Poi Dog Pondering does put on a great show. I've seen them live before and they're lots of fun.


As far as spectators go...I'd agree on the 70-80% w/ at least 1 spectator. I imagine a good chunk of spectators will arrive separately from their respective athletes. As far as parking goes...are they going to be in parking lots or the grassy areas along the in/out road on the bike?

However I'm wondering if the road openings are all accurate. You say cars will be able to be back on the roads by 12:15 I think it was? But if the last wave is at 8:30 and they have 5h15m from the start of the last wave to get done with the bike course, then cyclists will still potentially be on the road around 1:45...correct? Can you help clear this discrepancy? I don't want to see a car on the road and get all down on myself convinced that my day is over.

..this is coming from an overly-concerned BOP-cyclist who will likely be in one of the last waves.

Speaking of waves...any idea on when we'll see wave times posted, Ryan?

Edited by RunningJayhawk 2008-06-02 6:02 PM

A pseudo-scientific way to gauge that would be to assign a number of potential spectators per athlete based on where they're traveling from. I would venture a guess that the athletes traveling from Canada and Hawaii aren't as likely to bring spectators as athletes coming from Kansas and Missouri. I'd say at least 3 spectators per 1 athlete at the very minimum from those two states, and maybe a 2:1 ratio for a 3 to 5 state radius. From there see where you're at percentage-wise and adjust your figures up or down accordingly. You're almost in the exact center of the continental US so just grab a huge map, your athlete list, and have at it!

I just rented a wetsuit from wetsuitrental.com. I do hope things go well with that. I also hope that missing an hour out of what was to be my longest training ride doesn't hurt. I feel real strong and my Attitude is great. In Fact I'm so freaking pumped only 12 days to go, go, go...

I too am curious as to the when the wave positions will be announced.

Isn't this all so exciting?

Water surface temp reported at 77F today

Praying for cold rain....

The field (in brief):

M25-29 99 (8%)
M30-34 112 (9%; includes Craig Alexander)
M35-39 224 (19%)
M40-45 168 (14%)
Total Men ~855 (73%)
Total ALL ~1175

Craig Alexander? He sounds beatable. Who is he?

The over/under on my AG finish, out of 112, is ... 106.

Who's in on this?

Edited by mr2tony 2008-06-03 12:54 PM

There's really only 320 female participants? wtf?


Dang.

Just counted.

I figured there'd be more.

At least I'm in the largest age group.

Edited by RunningJayhawk 2008-06-03 1:17 PM

Looks like some of you BT ladies might be heading to Florida!

Alexander won the IM 70.3 Championship in 2006 and on the contrary is not "beatable".

I will take the unders

I think 330 including womens relay, not including pros and mixed relays.

I'll put money on Aimee W and Robyn K.