Advice on selecting first 140.6 race location

As a participant, I would be less focused on the provider of the race. Since you haven't done one, you won't have anything to compare to, and if you are missing something, won't know it.

For me, race selection usually relates to timing-When I think I will have time to train, and location/amenities- Do I want my family to join and what will they do while I race.

I have done 3 different IMs, two WTC and one independant.

Mass start can be crazy at a large race, but even with time-trial starts, the swim course will be busy.

Loop courses are often more spectator friendly for the bike, although they can also get more crowded. Plus, there really isn't a lot of spectating on the bike. Yelling HI while you whiz by for 10 seconds is still fun.

Loop courses on the run are spectator friendly, and can also help pump you up as an athlete.

However, some people hate loop courses since they can be repetitive. I like them since I can plan ahead once I finish the first loop.

What are YOUR preferences? That is where I would start.

Cost wise, you will pay less for an independent, but not always. 

Why don't you start with a list of what races you are interested in, which ones you can drive to, and whether or not you are shipping in spectators as well.

Also, as an FYI, I found a Cozumel vacation/IM to be pretty reasonable price wise since it was a great vacation post race.

IM Wisconsin.

It's close to you, hotels are moderately priced, and it's one of the best races for crowd support.

I get your point but I've done 40+ tris so what I mean by this is some race promoters are known for things like spotty course markings, transition areas are never big enough, costs WAY too much for the value etc...That's where I was heading with that one...

That's near the top of my list but I saw online they already sold out for 2013....I was hoping most if not all 2013 options might still be available to me...

What about the course?  Are you looking for flat and fast or hillier course that is more of a challenge?

My husband has done IMAZ and IM Mont Tremblant.  AZ was flat, MT was hilly.  

Between the 2, I liked MT much better.  Part of the reason was that we could drive (from NY) opposed to flying.  The course in MT was very spectator friendly with 2 loops on the bike and 2 loops running.  TR also loved swimming in the clear waters of Lake Tremblant, versus the brown water in Tempe.

The lodging in MT was more reasonably priced.  That could have been because it was the first year.  We were able to rent a 5 bedroom luxury chalet in a near by area for $2250/7 days.  We went with a group of 10 and had a great time.  

While I really enjoy visiting Phoenix, I preferred Mont Tremblant.

Most fill up the day after the 2012 when registration opens with in person folks at race site then on internet. Some races don't fill as fast as others but many fill within minutes or hours.

Driving to IM makes things much easier by being able to transport your bike on your car.

What do you consider driveable distance wise?

IMFL and IMAZ are next two US IMs that will be open for registration in November.

For me doing an WTC brand race has a great vibe which adds to the experience.

I have done 2 other non WTC brand IM distance races. They were good as well just different feel as if smaller race, less fan support and other athletes.

B2B and Cedar Point are bigger independent races and probably driveable for you.

I'm 2/2 on races near the top of my list selling out for 2013.  Mt. Tremblant's general entry is sold out...

I think if you are considering WTC events, most of those sell out very close to the time registration opens.  So, for 2013, you are looking at Arizona, Cozumel, and Florida for events that haven't yet happened in 2012, so registration for 2013 hasn't opened yet.  I was in your same boat last year, and am doing Arizona this year.  Amazing that we have to plan for the event more than 12 months out.  Last I checked though, I think CdA still had slots open.

If you would consider non-WTC events, you will likely have more options.

That's a bummer.  It's such a great race.  What about Louisville?  Looks drivable from MI.  I've heard it's a challenging race due to the heat and humidity but's it's still open.

Our next IM is CdA in June.  We have to fly, but we stay the following week and treat it as a vacation.   

CDL and IM Canada rounded out my wish list with IM Moo and Mt Tremblant...The first two were stretches because of the added costs of air travel, shipping the bike etc...

I've read up on B2B in NC....Their 2012 140.6 hasn't sold out yet....The pictures of the 2011 race look COLD...All the support volunteers are majorly bundled up...

That helps me in my refinement process because while racing in cold doesn't sound great, I do have concerns of heat and humidity...Therefore maybe I target races in Sept-Oct specifically for that reason...

Thanks all for the comments...

In that case, forget about IMFL since it has more or less the same weather as B2B most years.

My point was that I'd rather do a cold race than a hot one...B2B being cold at least from the pictures of 2011...

I considered almost all the factors you laid out and came to the decision to do IMLP in 2011

- I could drive there in 8 hours or so
- It's an IM brand and if I'm only ever going to do one 140.6 it might as well be with the biggest name in the business
- Was able to volunteer the year before on a mini vacation AND pre S/B/R the course
- Beautiful course in the Adirondaks (not really humid), late summer so no worries about school schedules with kids, most training during late winter/early spring
- It was just before my 51st birthday and my goal was to do an IM at age 50

Make sure you consider the calandar date of your race and how that would apply to your training.  IM training is in the 4-6 month range.  Not only do you have to worry about the weather in your area to make sure you can train (unless you train indoors...yuck), but you also have to worry about other commitments.  Do you have a wife/kids?  Do you have work commitments/travel?

Lots of things to consider.

Do you know about the Michigan Titanium race?  Inaugural event was just a few weeks ago.  It doesn't seem to fit a few of your qualifications BUT it's right in your home territory so I'm not sure if that'll get it some extra bonus points for you to consider.  It's small, may be hot, but in western Michigan (Grand Rapids area).

http://mititanium.com/

My biggest factor was distance.  I pick a local one first.  The cost is pretty high no matter what, then adding travel to that?  Along with the logistics?

So I did Silverman, which is on the other side of town.  Then went to IMSG, since it's a 2 hour drive and I could easily pack my bike and find a cheap room.  Then branched out to IMAZ.  I can still drive, and find cheap rooms and know people there.  My 4th will by IMAZ as well.  Anything else?   I would need to fly, and that add a whole new level of cost and logistics.

If I do decide to fly somewhere, that opens up the field.  If I'm taking on the cost and hastle, I might as well do a destination race as well.  FL, Cozumel, even something overseas.

Yep. The best ones sell out really fast. 

You might think about a foundation slot.  They are $1300 instead of $650.  I know that is a lot of money, but it might still be one of the cheaper IM brand choices at this point.  The extra $650 is a charitable donation, so you might be able to write it off or get your employer to match it.  Also, Wisconsin is going to be a lot cheaper for you because of travel.

My friends and I tend to pick a race every year to do together.  We have done 4 different ones, and everyone puts IM Wisconsin as the best one we have done.  It has a really great vibe. 

This race is what I'm balancing all the others against.  The run course actually comes within a 1/4 of my house.  I spectated at this year's and it was really awesome.  It was quite hot during the afternoon, and the bike course was a killer but overall the race got very good marks for organization and course quality.

In fact they tested the water prior to the race and it was just below drinking quality....The clarity I was told was a field of vision of 20+ feet...

I'm thinking IF I were to do a 140.6 in 2013, this may be the one....Then if I decide to do another I'll look to volunteer at IM Moo or IMLP or IM Mt. Tremblant in order to take advantage of the guaranteed slot and make it a really special event...

Thanks for the comments, I value all of them.