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2013-01-25 9:08 AM

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Subject: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
Morning, I'm in for the Syracuse 1/2 ironman, my first half. I see that there is almost 1700' of elevation gain, most of that in the first 10 miles or so. If anyone here has done it and could give me a firsthand account of how bad it is or isn't. thanks


2013-01-25 10:40 AM
in reply to: #4594224

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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?

It's fairly hilly in parts, especially the beginning.  As you leave T1, it's flat-ish for the first mile or two, then you take a right for a slight downhill and then it's a fairly sharp uphill (be prepared for this sharp uphill with the right gearing!), it levels off at the top for a while, though as a I recall, it's a false flat.    You take a right and it's uphill more - not as sharp as the first hill, but it's uphill.  From memory, I think the first 10ish miles are uphill.  It then level off a bit with a few rollers.  As you turn left on route 80 (at least I think it's 80), there is more uphill/false flats.  Towards the end of Route 80, there is a sharp downhill and sharp uphill, which can be ugly, so make sure you're in the right gear to climb.  As you pass some lake, it's fairly flat.  Then you're following a valley that runs north-south to the next major turn.  As you head west on that road after the major right turn, there are some uphills, but not as bad as the first part. but there are some downhills too.  You next major turn is right, back in another valley that runs north-south, and if I recall, it's fairly flat, with a general downhill gradient.  The road is a bit rough in parts on this back stretch leading back to T2, but it's a fairly decent ride.  

Not sure on how much is climbing vs. being in aero, but it's a pretty hilly course.  Don't under estimate the hills.  

Let me know if you have any further questions.  Full diclosure, I drove the course last year in anticipation of racing, but didn't due to injury.  I grew up in the area, and know the roads well, so hopefully this was helpful.

BTW, I noticed that they changed the run course for 2013.  I haven't driven that part of the course, so I can't opine on the new run course.  

2013-01-25 11:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
That's a good assessment. I had prepared for the worst, but I don't rememeber the bike course being too difficult in terms of hills. There aren't a lot of flat spots, but I was able to stay aero for most of it. There really are only a few steep climbs.

The run course was brutal. It may be that I'm misremembering how difficult the bike course was because all I can remember is how much the run kicked my butt. Wonder what the new run course is like. The area where the race is held is all hills, so I can't see the course being a whole lot easier unless it's no longer an out-and-back.
2013-01-25 11:57 AM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?

The new run course is a single loop that you do twice.  According to the profile, there is a fairly steep hill in the middle of the loop, but it's followed by a downhill.  If I go home to visit my parents before race day, I'll let y'all know how it looks.  

Hopefully someone who lives in the Syracuse area and is following this thread can drive it and let us know how it looks.

2013-01-25 12:20 PM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?

I'm also in for this event.  It sounds like the bike will probably be a negative split course where the second half will be faster than the first.  Looking at the times from last year, they didn't seem to be exceptionally long or anything.  I'm guessing the climbs are offset with some good descents to make up time again. 

Shane

2013-01-25 5:31 PM
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Bob
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
Look at it as a 10 mile warm-up that includes a good size hill then a 46 mile race!! :-)


2013-01-25 5:44 PM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
LarchmontTri - 2013-01-25 11:57 AM

The new run course is a single loop that you do twice.  According to the profile, there is a fairly steep hill in the middle of the loop, but it's followed by a downhill.  If I go home to visit my parents before race day, I'll let y'all know how it looks.  

Hopefully someone who lives in the Syracuse area and is following this thread can drive it and let us know how it looks.

It's the same run course as last year.  It's a tough, tough run.  The course profile on the website does not do it justice.  That hill (it's actually more like two hills strung together) is no joke.  Running down it sucks almost as much as going up.

Here's what the profile really looks like:

Syracuse 70.3 run profile

2013-01-25 7:52 PM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
If the race profile looks like its giving you the double-middle-finger, that's because it is.
2013-01-25 8:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?

jmk-brooklyn - 2013-01-25 7:52 PM If the race profile looks like its giving you the double-middle-finger, that's because it is.

Well done, sir.  Well done.

I was in the last Vegas qualifying spot in my AG starting the run and that course ate me for lunch.  I think I ended up 14 minutes out of the last spot. Laughing

2013-02-02 8:21 PM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?

Being close to 200lbs I am jealous of those who race the likes of Augusta and Orlando where it is pancake flat.
The bike is hilly, by no means flat.

The run is a . After seeing run times go down this past year on this run course I hopefully won't make the same mistake. Not looking forward to all the hill running I have ahead the next few months. Be warned about the run course! I wish I could have seen the elite AG and pros run up that course with ease, because some did very well.

2013-02-03 12:55 AM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?

I thought it would be a lot worse than it actually was.  The elevation profile scared me.  The drive through the day before scared me.

The day of, I was passed the hills before I realized.

 

Nothing to worry over. 



2013-02-04 9:20 AM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
GMAN 19030 - 2013-01-25 6:44 PM
LarchmontTri - 2013-01-25 11:57 AM

The new run course is a single loop that you do twice.  According to the profile, there is a fairly steep hill in the middle of the loop, but it's followed by a downhill.  If I go home to visit my parents before race day, I'll let y'all know how it looks.  

Hopefully someone who lives in the Syracuse area and is following this thread can drive it and let us know how it looks.

It's the same run course as last year.  It's a tough, tough run.  The course profile on the website does not do it justice.  That hill (it's actually more like two hills strung together) is no joke.  Running down it sucks almost as much as going up.

Here's what the profile really looks like:

Syracuse 70.3 run profile

Well that's going to be a challenge for me since I'm not a great runner.  But I thought I read somewhere that they changed the run again for 2013?  

Shane

2013-02-04 10:39 AM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?

I am contemplating signing up for this race. It would be my first 1/2 so wanted to wait and see how the training goes for the first couple of months of the year before fully committing to this distance.

Does anyone know if this race historically sells out? or a way to see how many people are signed up now?

2013-02-04 11:14 AM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
MKarp - 2013-02-04 11:39 AM

I am contemplating signing up for this race. It would be my first 1/2 so wanted to wait and see how the training goes for the first couple of months of the year before fully committing to this distance.

Does anyone know if this race historically sells out? or a way to see how many people are signed up now?

 

The first year they had it it did late in summer, but I can't speak for any other years.

As for difficulty, I can't speak for the run since I only did it the first year when the run was downhill the whole way into Syracuse, but the bike isn't really that bad.

The first 11ish miles are up hill, but they're not a hard incline, just take it steady and spin. Other two two sharp and short inclines of note the rest is flat/downhill.

2013-02-04 1:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
The bike is challenging but not extremely hard. A little harder than Timberman, similar to a loop of Lake Placid I thought. The first year they had the race, the run was a point to point downhill - very flat and fast.

Last year the run was very tough. The hill is steep enough that some of the pro field was walking on the way up and you don't make up the time on the way down as it is so steep you can never let it go for fear of losing control.

Overall a hard course, but I would do the race again - well run, course was interesting, etc.
2013-02-04 2:29 PM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
syrwxman - 2013-02-02 8:21 PM

Being close to 200lbs I am jealous of those who race the likes of Augusta and Orlando where it is pancake flat.
The bike is hilly, by no means flat.

The run is a . After seeing run times go down this past year on this run course I hopefully won't make the same mistake. Not looking forward to all the hill running I have ahead the next few months. Be warned about the run course! I wish I could have seen the elite AG and pros run up that course with ease, because some did very well.

I haven't seen this one in particular, but everyone will slow down a lot on a really steep hill. The better runners will have a better idea of how much to slow down (possibly going to a walk) and will also will be more trained on hills to handle it so it doesn't take as much out of them. Going from all flat training to hills can be tough as the motion changes, but if you're used to running on them it isn't as bad.



2013-02-04 3:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
firemedic001918 - 2013-02-04 9:20 AM
GMAN 19030 - 2013-01-25 6:44 PM
LarchmontTri - 2013-01-25 11:57 AM

The new run course is a single loop that you do twice.  According to the profile, there is a fairly steep hill in the middle of the loop, but it's followed by a downhill.  If I go home to visit my parents before race day, I'll let y'all know how it looks.  

Hopefully someone who lives in the Syracuse area and is following this thread can drive it and let us know how it looks.

It's the same run course as last year.  It's a tough, tough run.  The course profile on the website does not do it justice.  That hill (it's actually more like two hills strung together) is no joke.  Running down it sucks almost as much as going up.

Here's what the profile really looks like:

Syracuse 70.3 run profile

Well that's going to be a challenge for me since I'm not a great runner.  But I thought I read somewhere that they changed the run again for 2013?  

Shane

The run course currently on the website is the same as last year's course.

2013-02-04 3:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Syracuse 1/2...how hilly?
MKarp - 2013-02-04 10:39 AM

Does anyone know if this race historically sells out? or a way to see how many people are signed up now?

It doesn't come close to selling out.  I'm not sure what the sell out number is but it's probably in the 2500 range.

2010 and 2011 the race was in mid-September.  2010 had about 1700 finishers.  2011 only about 900 finishers.

2012 saw the race move to June and there were 1100 or so finishers.

You can assume a DNS rate of probably around 10-15%.  So the registered #'s were probably close to 2000, 1000, and 1250 for the three years.

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