Ironman 70.3 Branson : Official Thread (Page 2)

I am planning to particpate but wanted to know if last year's race was wetsuit legal.

Thanks

  It was legal but I think just barely.  Think they may have hunted around for the "cold spot".  Having said that the swim section is in a cove and was very clear.  You have a slight up hill run through sand to get to T1.

I'm on the fence with regards to this race.  It looks like run and I can provide pre-race day(s) of fun for my kids.  Wondering if any of the $79 hotel rooms are still available.

Anybody know how this bike course compares to IMKS 70.3?  That was my first HIM and bike course wasn't bad at all.  Just looking at elev. map Branson looks tougher, question is how much tougher ...But run course looks very flat.

To pre-ride the course, anyone know what day and time of week is best (lowest traffic)?

If you look through some of the race reports from last year, I think you'll find general agreement that this bike course is much more difficult than Kansas.  This is a hilly course. Some of the climbs are fairly long, but none of them are too steep. Except for the last section into town, the bike course is closed to traffic, so the down-hills are fast and safe. My bike time was about 20-30 minutes slower than what I ride on a "flat" course.

Overall, last year's race at Branson was a fantastic experience. The course will challenge you, but, at the same time, it's very doable. The lake is nice and clear. The swim was wet suit legal, but just barely. Run is pancake flat, but was HOT. Very family friendly venue, with lost of pre and pst race activities.

I think this is the best HIM race / venue that I've participated in!

Thanks for the feedback.  On my ride this morning I found the small climbs to be easier than previous rides so I'm feeling pretty good about a course with more climbs than Kansas.  I'll just keep hammering the bike and by race time I should be good to go.  I'm already over-budget on races this year but this is one that my kids will WANT to go to.

I emailed Branson 70.3 about myname not listed in the participant section and they said there was an error with d/loading the list and that it should be corrected by July 1.

Happy Training

The Ozark Mountain Highroad (Hwy 465) which is about 70% of the bike course is 4 lane divided, big shoulder and almost never any traffic. The rest of the course is busy with cars most of the time and has no shoulder. I'd recommend staying off that. The High Road is where you need to be doing most all the training anyway so I would stick with that.

A friend of mine who is also doing the race sent this list of the hardest 70.3 HIM courses. Branson is at the top, based on finishing times. Great to know there is a challenge!

With that many people, you may want to look into one of the VRBO-type vacation home rentals. Could end up being cheaper and lot nicer to have some room to spread-out and relax. You could get one big home, or several condo's at the same complex.

Last year it was just my wife and myself. We stayed at the Hilton downtown, across the street from Branson Landing. Price was okay (a little steep), but you can't beat the location. It was a two minute walk to the "duck shuttles" to get to the start and a five minute walk from the finish line. They also let us have a late check-out, so I got to shower after the race before we headed home!

Yeah...Ditto on the VRBO for that size of group, but if anyone is Military and they have some rooms left, I got a room at Hilton Prominade at Branson Landing for just 70.00 a night through their web-site.  I think they are normally like 140.00 or so.

What is the spacing for the bike aid stations? It has been over 100 in Texas this week, I did a solo 65 mile ride this weekend and went through 2 Camelbaks and 2 bottles of Gatorade, 4 Gus and 1 Coke  at a convenience store.. 104* when I finished.

I am considering using my Camelbak, but if the aid is spaced right I might just take bottle exchanges, This is my first 70.3

I think you hit 5 aid stations on the bike pretty evenly spaced out and maybe like 12 times on the run. Personally, I think it was more than sufficient, Especailly if you have 2 bottle cages on the bike you shoul be fine.

It comes down to personal preference but I recommend the aero bottle with the hole in the top where you can easily squeeze the contents of the water bottle into it.  I have a profile design type.  At IMKS I was able to get the contents of the water bottle into the aero bottle before leaving the aid station area.  I also had one additional water bottle in the cage on the downtube just in case.  I say this because I heard it was nice and hot last year and this course has eight climbs of 3% or great each over 1 mile long.