New Orleans 70.3

Here's a release:

http://www.triathlondaily.com/2007/11/12/ochsner-ironman-new-orleans-703-registration-opens-tomorrow/

discussion also on ST

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/IM_70.3_New_Orleans_P1560755/

Bill Burke, NO race director extraordinaire, had been working on bringing this to NO pre-Katrina. Swim will be in Lake Ponchartrain (yuck!), wondering where the bike route will go without shutting down (what's left of) the city. Finish in the Quarter at Jackson Square. Should be quite the event.

I'll be following this and hoping to participate...

Talked to the RDs at the US Open in Dallas. Important to note this race is open for registration for 2009...

The run course will be point to point. I am in. Assuming I'm healthy.

From the RD:

Athletes will swim a spectator-friendly point-to-point 1.2-mile swim just 30 feet from shore along the sea wall in Lake Pontchartrain. Following completion of the swim, athletes will bike a single-loop, fast and flat 56-mile bike course through bayou country before heading to the French Quarter on the 13.1-mile point-to-point run course. Competitiors will run the last two miles of the half marathon through the French Quarter where thousands of residents and tourists await them at the finish line in world-famous Jackson Square.

New Orleans would be a perfect place for a nice, flat spectator friendly race ... but is Lake Ponchartrain safe to swim in?

What about the roads?  I seem to remember that the low water table and unique soil made it particularly difficult to maintain road quality (nice way of saying that New Orleans makes other big southern city roads look smooth).

Personally, I'd love to do this race as I have many, many fond memories of the city.  That said, there are some concerns ...

HOLY MOLY! $225???

Oh, the site's up now....

That is my primary concern.  I have run down there a number of times (not always on Bourbon Street) but I have often commented that the roads would be bad to ride on.

I am also interested to see how the city of New Orleans embraces the event...it isn't exactly a model of fitness.  But I look forward to the post race food!!!

I can't imiagine what you're talking about.  Do you realize all the calories you burn walking from the parking lot by the Riverwalk all the way to Pat O's and Bourbon?

In reality you might be surprised.  There's actually a series of shorter runs called the Crescent City Classics.  Nothing compared to an IM, but for a bunch of people who normally eat and drink, it works. Several years ago, in BR, we hosted a tri at LSU (it was likely a sprint, too long ago to remember) and I recall probably a 100 people or so.

Personally, as a native (if you couldn't tell by my avatar)... I think this will be another great step in not only brining the city back, but making it even better.

Oh yeah, and about the roads, wear a life vest... you never know when one of those sink holes might instantaneously develope.  And make sure your current on all vaccinations before getting in the lake.

Hmmm... it's in April, think they might have a Crawfish Boil for post-race meal?

Sheesh, it's not like this is the first endurance event ever held in New Orleans. Crescent City Classic 10K (30th year) often pulled in 17,000-20,000 runners pre-Katrina; Mardi Gras Marathon (44th year) pulled a couple thousand participants with several thousand more in the concurrently run half marathon. The RD here, Bill Burke, worked for both of those events and also ran several successful triathlons in the area.

I'd LOVE to go... but I have NO idea how my schedule for 2009 will work out.    ST A's is a scant few weeks after that (Last weekend in April traditionally), and then there's the Orlando 70.3 in Mid May.   Plus... 2009 is my year for the Ironman (November).   I *could* skip St A's and do NOLA.... 

Crawfish, Beer, Beignets....  it may just be worth it.  Plus it's an easy hour's straight shot on I-10 drive from my folks' house.    Too early for me to make a decision though.   But.. how does the point to point course work out for spectators?? 

IM Orlando was 225 bucks too. 

This is one I'll definitely sign up for. 

Link to a news article from New Orleans: Http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1195022313260630.xml&coll=1&thispage=1

TJ

Of course not. The lake is too polluted to support wildlife.

Just kidding, of course. Here's a typical Lake Pontchartrain shot:

well, it IS huntin' season right now.  What do they do in the spring? 

AT least the bike course doesnt' go over the bridge.  When I was a kid, that bridge scared me to no end.  It still does to this day just thinking about it..... 

I'm super excited for this one!  Anyone think it'll fill before this time next year?  I wouldn't mind financing 2008 season before starting on 2009, especially since it's not a full IM!

(Bear, that picture is rather disturbing- that's a deer, not a Yellow Lab, right?) 

As daughter of alligator fisherman... and grew-up in swamp, you have nothing to worry about

FYI... Alligators live in areas with marsh and trees so they can build their nest, I can't recall any environments conducive to gators around Lakeshore.  We used to ski and hydroslide in the same bayou's where alligator fisherman would set their lines I only know of one or two kids that where ever attacked.  It's nothing like Florida.

So the causway scared you? What about the Huey?  That thing's scary esp when trains are passing or the Luling when the wind is blowing (it's suspension.)