Which would you rather race and why? I’m in Orlando so Rocketman is much closer, but I’ve heard Escape to Miami is a really great race.
Escape is a well put on race with good competition. The ride out on the boat to then jump in the water for the swim to escape island where the race actually begins, brings a little something unique to the race- especially for Florida.
I heard Rocketman was ok but the bike was boring and odd distances with bike being 30+ miles for all races. I was also told some of the road surfaces were a bit beat up last year?
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Disclaimer: I work for NASA so my answer may be biased.
I did the half last year (so I can’t comment on extended non-standard bike leg distances). I thought it was an ok-organised race; check-in a bit chaotic, but promptly solved the issue whereby I somehow switched genders and age group and became F40-44. The run was more boring (two loops) but well supported. Swim buoys drifted making for a long swim. Yes, the road surfaces on base were less than stellar, but that’s not why you do the race! Certainly not boring; it is a destination venue. You go for the photo of you in aero with the VAB or shuttle pad in the background. The only downside, in my mind, was that Titusville is a ghost town. Stayed in Cocoa Beach for two nights, then went to Orlando (Lego) with the family. That’s not an issue for you. I also suspect that my rationale for a race on my birthday weekend won’t count the same for you.
I’m still pissed I got a drafting penalty, though.
Escape is a great race but it is very crowded. The transition area looks like a 70.3 It is well organized and racing in downtown Miami over to Miami Beach is pretty cool. You must be very careful at Escape as there are many competitors who are flat out not trained to race. Lots of people race Escape because it’s the “thing to do” race but they can’t handle the bridges on the bike or the heat on the run. Lots of cyclists riding on the left and walkers clogging up the run course. Just way too many people. Stay alert and keep your head on a swivel when you do Escape.
Don’t know much about rocketman but some friends did it and they hated it.
E2M looks like an interesting race. Can’t comment on it though.
IMHO, Rocketman is way to expensive for the race and besides the bike looks rather blah. The swim exit looks like its going to require 100 yards of wadding and the run is a double loop with portions on 405 (highway). Besides, I’m not a fan of the RD races.
For ~$60 less you could do the Space Coast Triathlete Club race (Battle of the Bridges) in Melbourne, Oly & Sprint offered and it’s the same weekend as the E2M race. The swim is wade start and finishes on the Eau Gallie pier. Bike is up US1, across Pineda causeway loops round on the barrier islands then returns on the EG causeway, US1 and bridges have 1 lane closed to cars. Run has a double out and back with the start/finish at the center. It gets missed due to the date held, it use to be pretty decent sized event couple years back. It’s on my radar for a possible fall race.
Also, Sommer Sports has an interesting race with the Great Floridian on Oct 18th called TriAmerica. It’s basically a 1.5x Oly race with 2k, 62k, 15k distances. This one has my fancy right now, its $125 until May 31st and supposedly there’s a $25 coupon on their facebook page (that I haven’t found yet).
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I’ve done Escape two times and it’s a nice race. The boat ride to the island is cool and it’s a great swim.
Bring a garbage bag to the island and wear it to keep you warm. You swim to the island from the boat and then sit on the beach for 1h+. There’s not a lot of space to move around and you can get cold.
Bike course is fast! The run is !!!HOT!!! and humid and you run up that causeway straight out of transition.
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E2M is fantastic. It is a “race to do” at least once. That being said, it’s darn hard race, the run with bridge repeats and no shade whatsoever feels like a death march. Upon completion many people have commented that they feel like they have just finished a HIM. Last year we got lucky with weather but in 2012 there were cases of dehydration. When I made the last turn with less than a mile to go I blacked out for a millisecond, completely forgot where I was but I was still running. I remember running towards the finish mumbling “don’t pass out” to myself. That was a surreal experience.
E2M looks like an interesting race. Can’t comment on it though.
IMHO, Rocketman is way to expensive for the race and besides the bike looks rather blah. The swim exit looks like its going to require 100 yards of wadding and the run is a double loop with portions on 405 (highway). Besides, I’m not a fan of the RD races.
For ~$60 less you could do the Space Coast Triathlete Club race (Battle of the Bridges) in Melbourne, Oly & Sprint offered and it’s the same weekend as the E2M race. The swim is wade start and finishes on the Eau Gallie pier. Bike is up US1, across Pineda causeway loops round on the barrier islands then returns on the EG causeway, US1 and bridges have 1 lane closed to cars. Run has a double out and back with the start/finish at the center. It gets missed due to the date held, it use to be pretty decent sized event couple years back. It’s on my radar for a possible fall race.
Also, Sommer Sports has an interesting race with the Great Floridian on Oct 18th called TriAmerica. It’s basically a 1.5x Oly race with 2k, 62k, 15k distances. This one has my fancy right now, its $125 until May 31st and supposedly there’s a $25 coupon on their facebook page (that I haven’t found yet).
I wasn’t aware of this race! Thanks!