Ironman 70.3 Syracuse : Official Thread (Page 2)

Indeed it will be a cold start,  Water temps drop about 2 degrees since I checked in on Friday.  It will probably do another 2 by tomorrow at this rate, looking at 63 degrees.  The 65 didn't feel too bad once you got used to it.  Not sure how the bike is going to be when I'm all wet and it's still chili out.  I will be hoping for a bunch of sun for sure.  Good luck everybody!!!

It looks like there were 1604 finishers last year and only 878 this year.  Add a few more bodies from DNF'ers and you're probably about right.

I wonder why the drop.  The new run course couldn't have scared away that many people (and it shouldn't since I'd rather have a tougher course around J'Ville than that eyesore of a course threw the 'Cuse ghetto).

They're contracted to have the race through 2013 but if numbers don't pick up, I doubt the contract will be renewed.  Why would it?

I don't think the June date will help either.  There are so many races in the northeast in that mid-June to mid-July timeframe.  Rev 3 Quassy, Mooseman, Tupper Lake Half, Musselman, Syracuse 70.3, Mt. Tremblant 70.3 and Rhode Island 70.3.

I knew 9 people who did it last year and only 3 of us did it again this year. Most of them were runners who had done a couple sprints and wanted to do the inaugural race...but don't really have the time/desire to train that much every year. 5 of them said they would probably do it next year if it comes back, so hopefully thats a common theme and next year gets a better turn out.

I agree 100% on the run being an improvement. It was harder but last years run was about as ugly as it gets.

Yeah the timing could go either way...like sublimekid said, it would be nice to get out of the water in temps above 50...but you're right about the number of people syracuse 70.3 would lose to those other races. Would probably get more local people but maybe not as many they would lose. Doesnt really look promising.

Its the only 1/2 I've ever done...so I dont have anything to compare it to. Jamesville beach is nice little county park 20min south of Syracuse.  The swim is in a small sheltered lake...no wind or waves to speak of. The bike starts with a nice gradual 2 mile down hill into jamesville and then 10-12 miles of long gradual climbing...no real big hills...just non stop. From there on its up and down gentle rolling hills with the exception of one hill that is 1/4 - 1/2 mile long and very steep. The run is nice...couple hills, but some easy down hills to make up for it. I think its a pretty course through rolling hills of farm lands and some woods. The weather has been great last 2 yrs...little too cold in the morning but great on the bike and run. Obviously with the change to June that will change...should be nice, but up here it could be 95 or could get a flurry the 1st week of june. Another secret at Jamesville beach is the public bathrooms are open and nobody seems to know it...no lines. They will also let you bring an rv and camp there but no tents for some reason.

The 1st year there were twice as many participants as this year and traffic getting into Jamesville from Syracuse was horrible the morning of the race...I think they had to delay the start as people were still showing up. I drove around it this year so im not sure if it was better. There were less people and hopefully they had better traffic control via local cops etc. I mention this because I see you are from Philly area...anyone coming from the south there is a best western right off of rt 81 in Tully that is about 10-15 min from Jamesville and you can come in from the back side of the park. I had friends stay there the 1st year and they had no traffic issues at all and I spent 45 mins-1 hr in bumper to bumper coming from the syracuse side. I think its a nice race but I do it because Im local and its convenient...

I also just got an early entry e-mail for $199 so its couple bucks cheaper this year too. Hope that helps, If there was anything specific you were looking for just ask. A bunch of the people here did it Im sure someone can answer. Mike