Half ironman

[Deleted User]

Me and a couple of mates are looking at doing a half ironman next year, using it to test the water with doing a full in mind. We all do tri's and duathlons and two of us have done a half before and two of us have not. We are looking at either weymouth or one that we have heard of in the new forest area. Have any one out there done these, if so where they any good, also dose any one have any other half ironmen that they could recommend.

JD.

does it have to be an official HM or would HM distance fit the bill too?

Plum

A lot of people on here went to Bala this year
some more did Pembroke and Stratford

If you use the search function up the top and put either Weymouth or New Forest into it and change the "messages" to "titles" there are probably threads on them with more info and feedback

Plum

though as JD says they are not M Dot races

there is only the 70.3 down the South West somewhere that i know of

Bouncing Barlist

Bala (early June) & Vitrucuan (early September) are both good thats why we go back year after year.

Bouncing Barlist

Vitruvian

Plum

BEEN ON THE SHANDIES BARLO

Bouncing Barlist

No, not till Saturday )

JD.

if it's an exact HIM distance race you're after than Bala doesn't quite fit the bill as the swim would be a little long, the bike a little short and i heard various distances between 12-13 miles mentioned for the run. it is however a fantastic race.

[Deleted User]

We have to travel to the mainland and the cost of plane/boat is a fare bit, so we just want to make sure we get a good event. Thanks all for the ideas so far given food for thought.

M...eldy

if a little hilly on the run!

Avalaf

Well I'd second the Vit, it's a really nice course, really enjoyed it last year. Bala is a really nice cycle route. Aberfeldy may be a bit far unless you can fly to Edinburgh, but again a cracking cycle route.

[Deleted User]

The closer to the south the better, but all will be considered. We will probably come across on the boat in a van then drive to where ever.

JD.

bala isn't actually HIM distance, although it's pretty close.

richardM did weymouth - but he doesn't ahve time to post here too much. i think he had a good time there.

Imeccentric

Trentham Staffordshire I've done twice now is a good race , longer but not as tough as Bala.

Is 1st weekend July generally

[Deleted User]

With out sounding to stupid where is Bala.

M...eldy

North Wales ish ... Snowdonia sort of area !

no, i'm not local!!

[Deleted User]

Thanks Meldy think i will look into that one a bit more.

M...eldy

its a very beautiful part of the world if you are looking to combine with a longer week ... ask Smiffy cos they did a lot with the family up there this year

Avalaf

Fitted in well with the locals then:)

fat buddha

1/2 IM events I know of are:

Bala
Aberfeldy
Vitruvian
Trentham
Weymouth
Belvoir
Steelman (N Yorks)
Pembroke
Ironman 70.3

probably others - and I think some more planned for 2007

Hollywood (busy on runsaturday.com)

Just adding two more I know of (but I might be wrong):

Bala
Aberfeldy
Vitruvian
Trentham
Weymouth
Belvoir
Steelman (N Yorks)
Pembroke
Ironman 70.3

New Forest
Milton Keynes (Big Cow)

fat buddha

thought New Forest was next year?? and yes - missed Big Cow

mellifera

Bala
Aberfeldy
Vitruvian
Trentham
Weymouth
Belvoir
Steelman (N Yorks)
Pembroke
Ironman 70.3
Wensleydale - not quite a half but tough

Jane B

I did Weymouth last year and it was ok. The organisation seemed fine from what I can recall: a sea swim (possibly a bit short), can't remember much about the bike to be honest except there was also a local cycle club time-trialling on a stretch of the route. The run was two laps of Weymouth suburbs. Running in the cold rain past locals, looking aghast, as they waited for the bus was entertaining in its own way but I suspect there are more picturesque routes out there.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the list people a few on there i did not no about. Weymouth is probably the best choice for us as we have a boat that sails straight there. But on the other hand a couple of the guys have done it before and we would like something a bit more scenic. From my point of view i swim in the see all year round so would not mind a lake swim. Would like to find out more about the new forest one, so any info on that would be good, or any more recommendations.

Hollywood (busy on runsaturday.com)

FB - I think New Forest middle is every year... and next year there going to add a "long"?

Doubly Bionic Ironwolf

and if anyone fancies a German half, we've got two near us, (unfortunately both on the same day) 10 June. smiley lady did Kraichgau this year with us (we got passed by Faris Al-Sultan there) and foggy came to Maxdorf last year (this time the rocket on the bike was Normann Stadler).

Doubly Bionic Ironwolf

we've got 3 spare double bedrooms, except you must not be afraid of or dislike large furry dogs!

[Deleted User]

hey jus.

new forest is definitely happening this year, but it's the first time so no-one knows what it's going to be like. bike course looks very scenic. the run course looks tough: all off-road on trails and fire-roads.

i'm doing it as my first middle distance (anyone else up for it?) so can let you know what it's like in about 6 weeks' time.

JPenno

I have applied for Ironman 70.3 not yet received confirmation of entry not until June next year so plenty of time to get the biking up hill sorted