Best Non MDot HIM and IM Races

Definately the Easymon...

It's an invite only full 140.6

you swim one way with a strong current
bike downhill
and the run is on people movers...

it's a true PR course

You're hilarious. I didn't ask for easy races, I asked for non Ironman branded races. Big difference.

I have to throw Silverman in the ring!!!! Great race, amazing course and best in class race support, volunteers and organization. Frank is one of the best!

I heard good things about Rev3, so I'm hoping their new Iron distance one in Ohio will be a good one.

Well, Vineman half is obviously an M-Dot race, but--having done both that and the Full--I think they put on a good race.  My wife did the woman-only Barb's Race HIM that's run concurrently with the Full Vineman and she enjoyed it.

Wildflower's definitely a great experience...although I didn't much care for the run course (too many places where virtually everyone walked...to my way of thinking that's over the top as far as difficulty).  But camping there is a blast...great expo...beautiful site.

Silverman... hands down... Silverman!

Vineman is a good one too.

On your coast:
Beach to Battleship
Chesapeakman

Halfs
Diamondman
Beach to Battleship
Savageman (well you specifically did not say easy)
Mooseman
Kinetic

Rev3 appears to be on their way to cracking the code when it comes to competing against the WTC for full distance events.  First, have a ridiculous sized pro prize purse to garner a start studded field. Second, create a race locale where the family can have fun in between fleeting glimpses of you suffering on the race course (e.g. the amusement park in Ohio). Third, produce a quality, athlete centered race atmosphere that only a multiple IM distance champion could do (Heather Gollnick).

I am considering adding the Ohio half as my season capper triathlon next year as the timing also allows for an epic endof season bike event such as Six Gaps.

I'd second the Rev 3 Tri. I did the 70.3 in Conn this year and it was an amazing effort for a first year event. They attracted a quality pro field but at the same time the event had a "small town" field to it. I got to hang out and talk with a number of pros including Bree Wee, Luke Bell, Natasha Badman, Lisa Mensink, and others the day before and after the race which was really cool and as an MOP AGer they had great support and they held the race at family friendly environment (a small ammusment park). The course was pretty challenging as well. This was their first race but they are doing several other events this year in KY, Ohio (their first full IM) and in Conn. If the Full goes off as well as the HIM did this year, this company will be a great alternative to the M-dots.

The Black Bear Half is another very well run half but you had better like hills.

Are you talking about the ride in the Green Mountains? I was in Waitsfield last weekend and believe this was going on that Sunday. It sounded INSANE!

I have heard decent things about the Great Floridian and I am doing the AquaBike for Redman, so I can report back on that experience, but I have heard great things about it.

I second (or third!) the Rev3 races.  I was not planning an iron distance race for 2010 and since I am racing FL, I will have missed all of the MDot registrations, save for AZ, if I change my mind.  When I read about the Rev3 race in OH, I tentatively put it on my calendar as my A race for next year. 

hey now... you have been around hear long enough to know better than to call any 140.6 an easy race..

Exactly, which is why I pointed that out. I always have to laugh when people ask for the easy ones. How can 140.6 miles be easy???

I've heard good things on Great Floridian, and I'll be running it this year.  So I'll let you know in 11 weeks or so.  The negatives I know about are the murky water, some surprisingly steep rollers on the bike, and limited shade on the run.  I've done a bunch of shorter races in that Lake, and it's never really bothered me.  The shade on the run deal is what worries me.  On the plus side, I've heard the support is good, and I bike in Atlanta, so I'm growing to love hills.

"I've heard good things on Great Floridian, and I'll be running it this year. So I'll let you know in 11 weeks or so. The negatives I know about are the murky water, some surprisingly steep rollers on the bike, and limited shade on the run. I've done a bunch of shorter races in that Lake, and it's never really bothered me. The shade on the run deal is what worries me. On the plus side, I've heard the support is good, and I bike in Atlanta, so I'm growing to love hills."

Its a great race, tough bike course if they still follow the old course. The water is clean just stained fron the tannens (sp) from the tree roots. Go to the website,they used to have pictures of Sugarloaf Mt. on it, it is very steep and there are 3 to 4 good hills close to it. Fred Summers does a good job, what makes the race so good is that is has a good local feel to it. A good value also