Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman

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2015-06-21 11:00 AM

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Wauwatosa, WI
Subject: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman
Hi, random question- which is the harder course- High Cliff or Racine? Obviously, taking weather conditions out of the mix.

I raced Racine in 2013 and Wisconsin Toughman (High Cliff) yesterday and was 3 & 1/2 minutes slower at High Cliff than Racine 2 years ago. I was faster on the swim and transitions, same on the bike, and 7 minutes slower on the run. They did change the run course at High Cliff so there as a steep 1/2 mile hill on a trail right out of T2 (not the road like last year) which 99% of racers walked.

Overall, happy with my performance, although I was in the top third at Racine and bottom third at High Cliff of course that all depends on who shows up for the race!

Thanks!!!

Rob

2015-06-22 8:53 AM
in reply to: Turner100

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Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country!
Subject: RE: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman

I've done both races more than once each and I think the High Cliff multi surface run makes it a harder course, although the shaded trail run for High Cliff is nice if it's hot (which wasn't a factor this weekend).  

2015-06-26 8:51 PM
in reply to: SSMinnow

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Wauwatosa, WI
Subject: RE: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman
Hi Suzy, I agree- here are my thoughts:

Swim, easier but slower since I had to walk the first & last 100 meters at High Cliff.
Bike, slightly harder- more elevation
Run, harder with the 1/2 mile hill out of T2, and running on the grass portion of the trail was also harder for me.

Of course, if it's over 90 degrees again at Racine- that trumps everything , hoping for another cool summer!

Rob
2015-12-25 12:34 AM
in reply to: Turner100

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Subject: RE: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman
The swim at Toughman (High Cliff) is a little more predictable and a little warmer (Racine was 59 degrees this year). Never know what Lake Michigan is going to be like.

Bike at Toughman has rolling hills, but no real climbs, I thought it was fun. Racine is flatter, but just a lousy course. Terribly rough and beat up roads for about 30 / 56 miles. I've never seen so much cracked pavement in any course.

Run is a little hillier at Toughman, but other than the first hill, about the same.

Will throw in a 3rd race for comparison - Steelhead 70.3. Real similar to both of these, and extremely similar to Racine, but nicer roads to bike on.

2015-12-27 5:53 PM
in reply to: Turner100

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Green Bay
Subject: RE: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman
I've done high cliff the last four years and I've found the course to be pretty predictable. The swim is ok but you have to run up the hill to T1, you usually have the wind to your back most of the second half of the bike course, except the last four miles- which sucks.

The run is ok, it's not great running on the grass and rocks, but the trade off is the trail running through the campground, which is a nice break. (and you get a nice downhill run to the finish, if your legs will hold up!)
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