5430 Boulder Long Course

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jschapman

2009-01-15 11:24 AM

Member

Subject: 5430 Boulder Long Course

Has anyone done this race? I am considering it for this season and would love some feedback.
I did Vineman and Longhorn last year. Thought they were both great.

Thanks

My Race Log

GordoByrn

2009-01-15 6:51 PM

in reply to: #1909683

Extreme Veteran

680

Boulder, CO

Subject: RE: 5430 Boulder Long Course

I have done the race a few times. How can I help? What specific questions do you have?

jschapman

2009-01-16 11:49 AM

in reply to: #1909683

Member

Subject: RE: 5430 Boulder Long Course

just curious about the overall experience.
I ride every year in Steamboat and ride hills in Austin so the "typical" how hilly is it and elevation questions don't generally pop into my head.

I'm just wondering about size of the field, ease of access to transition, overall impressions of the bike and run course. Is it spectator friendly...my family will be in tow.

thanks.

My Race Log

sbreaux

2009-01-17 3:53 PM

in reply to: #1912299

Expert

960

Highlands Ranch, CO

Subject: RE: 5430 Boulder Long Course

jschapman - 2009-01-16 10:49 AM just curious about the overall experience. I ride every year in Steamboat and ride hills in Austin so the "typical" how hilly is it and elevation questions don't generally pop into my head. I'm just wondering about size of the field, ease of access to transition, overall impressions of the bike and run course. Is it spectator friendly...my family will be in tow. thanks.

Barry Siff puts on top notch races in my opinion. I believe the Long Course has about 1000 participants and it's stacked with several top pros along with "elite" age groupers in every class. In my age group alone (M35-39), 15 guys broke 4:45. The swim is by waves, usually with 100-150 per wave. My only beef has been splitting certain large age groups into different waves. The bike is a two loop course and it is FAST!. It doesn't get too congested and drafting doesn't seem to be a problem. As you leave the reservoir, there is a false flat for roughly 5 miles, then you hit some rollers for a few miles, then hold on, because it's generally downhill the rest of the way. The run is a two loop course around Boulder Reservoir and there are some hills for the first 1.5 miles of each loop. Then it flattens out and you run across the dam back to the start. The run is HOT! There is no shade whatsoever on the run. The transition area is centrally located just off the beach in the parking lot. Parking is very easy and its pretty fan friendly as your family can watch you swim, and then can see you in transitions and as you pass your first lap of the run and as you finish. Hope this helps.......

My Race Log

mikericci

2009-01-17 5:43 PM

in reply to: #1912299

8763

Boulder, Colorado

Subject: RE: 5430 Boulder Long Course

It's probably one of the fastest bike course you'll ride for a 90k race - SUPER fast - look at the bike splits. Run is tough, hilly, hot, no shade, you can't hide if you can't run - Barry puts on a great race for sure.

My Race Log

GordoByrn

2009-01-17 10:28 PM

in reply to: #1912299

Extreme Veteran

680

Boulder, CO

Subject: RE: 5430 Boulder Long Course

The guys gave great advice on the race.

For your family... bring your own shade! It is HOT out there most years and they will appreciate not having to sit in the sun while you are racing. There is a nice picnic area as well as beach for the kids to swim/play.

I'll second Mike on the course being extremely fast under the right conditions -- it is possible to get a tailwind on the back half of the loop and be sheltered on the front half.

On a sunny day, the run is TOASTY but can also be fast if you didn't over do it on the bike. Altitude adds about 4 mins to my run split on that course.

Overall, course is convenient, safe and Barry puts on a great event.

breckview

2009-01-18 12:19 AM

in reply to: #1909683

Master

1651

Breckenridge, CO

Subject: RE: 5430 Boulder Long Course

jschapman - 2009-01-15 10:24 AM

Has anyone done this race? I am considering it for this season and would love some feedback.
I did Vineman and Longhorn last year. Thought they were both great.

Thanks

I did the 5430 long course and Longhorn 70.3 in 2008. IMO, 5430 is a much better race in pretty much every way. The 5430 bike course is flatter, fast, scenic with a much better surface and much less auto traffic. The run course at 5430 is much flatter than Longhorn. The water was more clear at Longhorn which was nice but the 5430 swim is fine too. Race day temps were similar (and should be based on historic averages) but the dry air of Boulder is much more comfortable. The venue at Boulder Res. is far superior with onsite parking, a sandy swim beach and real grass instead of dirt. The grass is not bermuda so it's not itchy.

I think 5430 is better for non-racers as well. At Longhorn it was really diffcult for spectators to get around the course because of all the barriers. One thing that 5430 doesn't have is the tailgating area which was a very cool feature at Longhorn.

My Race Log

newt

2009-01-18 8:06 PM

in reply to: #1914024