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Posted by
patrickweldon on
9/5/2010 12:40:27 PM)
This is a great race. I was looking for a 70.3 in late summer, and found this race on TriFind.com. I rode the train from Mississippi up to Mattoon, Illinois, with no idea what to expect. I was very happy with my experience.
First, its a small race. No race numbers, just timing chips. Everyone meets at Lake Mattoon (a very scenic area)and you can feel the camaraderie. (I think I was the only one who didnt know everyone else!)
Race starts with a nice 1.2 mile swim through the lake. Cool air, but water was fine. Nice T1 area, followed by a two lap tour of Illinois cornfields. Roads are nice, mostly flat, and smooth.
The run is an out and back through more corn fields, which has a nice,oddly relaxing quality to it.
Great aid stations every mile, good crowd for a small town, and lots of goodies.
I think this may be my favorite "unofficial" half-ironman, and with everyone else selling out and going cooporate, I felt lucky to have stumbled on a real honest-to-goodness race.
I'd recommend it for anyone looking for a fun, low key weekend.
