5150 or Pumpkinman Half?

Pumpkinman:

Pros - Local race, well-run, great swag, cheaper, Lake Mead has very clear water

Cons - Point to Point Tri, Hills isn't a joke. It's VERY hilly (just look at the avg speed of a MOP'er), 4 different distances on similar course (dependent on what you like), Lake Mead bottom can be ROCKY - many people have torn up their feet trying to get in the water - I think this is due to poor entry choice. Transition can be a little crowded, but not too bad. 

5150 

Pros - one distance, one race; Hilly, but not as severe as Pumpkinman, not point to point, very nice area, and spector friendly, more well known pros may be racing (I don't know who, but it's possible), first year of 5150 (depends on how you look at it).

Cons - slightly expensive for a Olympic, The area that this is raced in can be slightly "crowded", but not too bad. Ironman brand (not exactly a Negative, but it is run by WTC, and the rules are more stricter), Lake Las Vegas is murky.  I'm not sure where's the Host Hotel is, but if it's at Lowes, it can easily get crowded at the start because it's in a small lagoon, then opens up in a lake.  If OWS doesn't bother you and people running you over, then it's not a big deal. I know for some people it is. It doesn't bother me. I just kick back. :-)

I have not decided which ones I'm going to race for.  The money matters to me the most actually. I have done the Pumpkinman Olympic, and wouldn't mind doing it again, but it's on the same day as RTC Viva Bike Vegas. So I'm going to wait a while before deciding what to do with the rest of my season. 

So, really they both should be good, but I think it comes down to your preference of whether to have Ironman brand race or a Local race as well as price as well on whether you want to train for a Half or an Olympic.

FYI to you all kids. The race may be a WTC event, but the management from Silverman is running this race. Frank is the race director for the 5150, and I will be managing the swim course.

The swim will start from the other end of the lake where Montelago is. Same as Silverman swim start, but an Olympic course.

Loews is the host resort for all our races there. IronGirl, 70.3 world championship, 5150 and ITU and Silverman. Great resort with lots to do there.

It's going to be a very fun and challenging course, come on out. not to be bias, but I used to help BBSC, and they have gotten really chip with their staff and volunteers. I know of a few of us on the management side that are still waiting to be paid after a year has gone by. That is why you will not see me involved with BBSC again. Since it was sold to this Colorado company over a 1 1/2 ago, this new management only cares about profits and not the athlete.

Take care tri-peeps, and good luck this season. Cheers!!

It probably will get even better. That's because the snow from the Rockies are melting, and they're on their way to fill up Lake Mead.   Last year, the water levels dropped dramatically, hence why it was a little awful last year. 

I was told that by August, the water levels should be much higher and will be better.