Austin 70.3: still doesn't sell out?

Triathlon Forum
1

I know it isn’t a good race.
Registration still stays open until a few weeks before race day, yes?

2

I think that is correct - are you asking why? If so, here is my take as an Austinite:

  1. It is in a great city, but the course is horrible. In east Austin (not really anywhere near downtown Austin, or scenic west Austin) in an attempt to find flat roads and places that can be closed-off for the race:
    a) the swim venue is in one of the dirtiest lakes around (not bad, but not like some of the other nice lakes around here)
    b) the bike course roads are horrible (better than they used to be, but still crap) with the last portion on some busy, not so closed public roads, and
    c) the run course is an ugly forced hodgepodge of roads around the expo center, and despite only having a few hills it is a 3 loop course so the 3-4 hills turns into a nice ~12 hills throughout the run
  2. Maybe add that is it is late in the season and most people have already started to back-off racing and/or have already done what they want to for the year???

It’s close to home so it is ok for me, but I would not travel for it. I prefer Galveston & Buffalo Springs.

5 Likes
3

I don’t think it has ever sold out. The race sucks for pretty much the reasons mentioned above. Easily the least favorite triathlon I have ever done.

I’d like to add there are no hotels near the race site. The closest nice hotels are near the airport.

There’s also two transition areas that works out okay but it is some extra logistics to think about.

4

Hmm… I really like the bike and run courses, but it’s ~ 4 weeks too late in the season for me. Its been too cold out there the last few years.

5

Thank you.
I have some familiarity with the course, have no desire for greater intimacy (for the reasons you cite), but fate may make it my only reasonable option.
Or I just take the loss and look at running events.
Thanks.

6

Thanks for the positive remark concerning Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake. This year is our 25th anniversary and we are looking forward to another great year of racing in the Llano Estacado canyons. Please be on the look out for entry specials and remember we have 43 slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. Most of the pro and age group legends of the sport have competed in this event, so come on to West Texas and enjoy the challenge!

1 Like
7

Mike, thanks for putting on BSL 70.3. I’ve only done it once, but it was freakin’ epic. Much appreciated!

8

It’s not a bad race. Organization was great, support on course was great.

But yeah, not the most stunning race course with respect to Austin area.

2 Likes
9

I am local Austin and have done the race twice mainly because it is a good time of year for a race in central Texas as well as easy to get to. The course as others have said is really rural and depending on your expectations can be reasonably scenic. The bike is a fast course if you care about that.

Swim is in a nuclear power plant lake which is really weird in the morning as you are staring at the huge plant getting ready to swim:). The water is not bad and always has been a good swim.

Run has changed a bit over the couple times I have done it but I would say it is challenging with the hills. The hills are not that hard but knowing you have to hit the same hill 2-3 times makes it challenging.

Support has always been great and the 2 transitions are well worth it to get the indoor arena finish. Really cool for the runners as well as for the family watching.

Now I think there are other options in the area so I think I am going to skip this year and do a lower cost race in Kerrville.

1 Like
10

I think that is correct - are you asking why? If so, here is my take as an Austinite:

  1. It is in a great city, but the course is horrible. In east Austin (not really anywhere near downtown Austin, or scenic west Austin) in an attempt to find flat roads and places that can be closed-off for the race:
    a) the swim venue is in one of the dirtiest lakes around (not bad, but not like some of the other nice lakes around here)
    b) the bike course roads are horrible (better than they used to be, but still crap) with the last portion on some busy,** not so closed public roads,** and
    c) the run course is an ugly forced hodgepodge of roads around the expo center, and despite only having a few hills it is a 3 loop course so the 3-4 hills turns into a nice ~12 hills throughout the run
  2. Maybe add that is it is late in the season and most people have already started to back-off racing and/or have already done what they want to for the year???

It’s close to home so it is ok for me, but I would not travel for it. I prefer Galveston & Buffalo Springs.

Yeah, if you’re in the later waves you will get compressed down into less than a full traffic lane, and the cops will stop race traffic to let cars through, so artificial penalties for some folks.

Weather can be unpredictable. One year in the 80’s, the next it barely broke 50 and was low 40’s at the start.

I won’t do this race again, there are better, cheaper options.