Subject: RE: Half Iron Originally posted by ptr_sbr
The two I would recommend would either be White Lake (either spring or fall versions) or Outer Banks Triathlon. Both have single transition areas, and attract enough of a crowd to make it feel "big"--at least near the transition area and on the course areas nearest the transitions. The other bonus of these are that they are all flat courses for bike and run, so they are good choices if its your first half-iron event. Depending on your water preference, White Lake is freshwater and Outer Banks is saltwater. I'd say there is more to do before and after the Outer Banks than White Lake, at least with regard to things to do and see with the family when not racing.
The lake at White Lake is great for the kids to play around in. But that is about all there is to do there. White Lake is about as middle of nowhere as you can get without being in Siberia. Having said that, for a first half its a nice choice with few logistical issues. I actually did the half there twice (my first and second ones ) and then my wife made me promise to never make us go back there again! hahaha After having done White Lake, B2B and IM Raleigh, I'd give the latter two very high ratings in terms of race experience AND pre-post race things to do. White Lake gets OK grades from me for the race itself (mainly because it is well organized---the actual bike and run routes are very boring but nice and flat ) but is not a place to really spend lots of time at afterwards. |