What's wrong with Clearwater?

Oh, where to begin???!!!

I've done this race twice and didn't have as significant problems as many have mentioned (drafting), however, there are several areas that are fairly, if not very problematic.

First of all, there are not enough waves to break people up.  The number of waves was increased in 07 vs 06, but it's still not enough and are still too close together.  So, after enjoying a 1.2 mile swim with several hundred of your closest friends (because the level of competition is higher than an average 70.3, the pack is even closer together in each wave), you are then treated to a pancake flat bike course that features just about zero ability to break athletes up.  Here is the main source of pain for most who've done the race.  Because the course is so flat and the level of competition is so much closer together, drafting is almost impossible to avoid.  Additionally, (although it improved a bit in 07) traffic safety has been an issue.  The course travels through some pretty busy parts of town and has open intersections with heavy traffic.  The police have done an OK job in trying to manage traffic flow, but it has been problematic.

Anyway, as for the run, no complaints.  Like the bike, it is pancake flat with the exception of one longer climb over the causeway which is done 4 times (2 loops, over the causeway twice).  So, all in all, the race's "black eyes" can be distilled down to the lack of enough waves to break the 2000 racers out and the flat bike course which virtually guarantees drafting.  Also, I believe WTC has a 5 year contract with the city of Clearwater, so you most likely won't see a venue change for another 3 years...if ever.  Hope this helps! 

I couldn't race on 06 (sick) but last year overall I enjoyed the race very much. That been said the reason why I mentioned a course venue would be desirable IMO is not really for any specific shortcomings from the WTC or the race itself but more because of the feel the race has and from what I perceived a not so enthusiastic acceptance from the local community.

Anyway on our way back on the big highway there was a huge tailwind for like 15-20 miles (dont' remember right now) but at that point a bike marshal broke a pack ahead of me and gave A LOT of penalties (many were forced to stop at the penalty tent just a few imles ahead, that was awesome to witness ) and that allowed me to ride relatively alone (with another 4 guys) all that stretch. I was avg 29-30 mph on 210-220 watts, IOW the tailwaind was so strung it literlaly felt someone was pushing me for the entire time...

WTC has their headquarters outside of Clearwater.

I agree with everything written here about the quality of the race organization.  Top notch and very well done.

However, I disagree with the opinion that drafters did so actively and deliberately.  I was not part of the masses, as I tend to get out of the water quickly, however, when the bulk of a 400 person wave comes out between 28-32 mins, you automatically create a peloton.  When in a group of this many people, the rules state that you must be 3 bike lengths behind your nearest racer and must stay so unless you are going to pass.  Once a decision to pass has been made, one must complete such a pass (no, you cannot give up and retreat back to your position!) in :30.  When you cluster dozens of like talented individuals on a course that fails to offer any ability to break up a pack, such clusters are forced to play surge and retreat games all day.  Add tight roads to the mix and you have virtually defaulted drafting.  Yes, there were plenty of active drafters out there, but the challenge of negotiating tight roads with dozens of people trying to race can be very, very difficult to worth through.

FWIW, I doubt Kona has much more than half that amount.  (still way more than Clearwater, but...)

You DO have a choice to ride clean (most of the time) whether you want to admit or not. Plus as Bryan said, even at Kona there was drafting at least on the 1st portion of the race...

FWIW Part II...

Polar 720i HR monitor with altitude....Kona, HI...10/13/07....Ascent 7340...running and biking combined....maybe its broken?  If someone has other data, please share...

A little testy with the kona folks are we???  How about silverman in Las Vegas?  10,000ft of climb on the bike and another 2,000 on the run..  Now that is an Ironman my friends...  The only bike riding we have is uphill and downhill...  there are no flats... 

arent we are all in this for the lifestyle, lets quit the petty shiznit..  off to bed, my legs hurt

I thought you were just talking about the bike.  Still think that sounds like too much.  But, again, still way more than Clearwater (even if you double Clearwater to 'equate' the two).