Official 2012 Florida Half Ironman Thread

[kgubat]

hi all. im looking to do my first half so i emailed them about their registration and this is what i got.

Thank you for your interest in Ironman 70.3 Florida, scheduled for May 20, 2012!
We're still in the final phase of permitting for the event and anticipate opening online registration in December. We will be sure to update the website immediately with information once it becomes available, including location and/or course information. We are prepared to open registration as soon as possible, but must have the city agreement before we are able to do so.
The entry fee through February 19, 2012 will be $280.00.
The location of the new Ironman 70.3 Florida event will be in central Florida, all within driving proximity to Legoland (just opened!), DisneyWorld, Epcot, MGM and Universal Studios. So bring spouses and children, experience IronKids the day before 70.3 and make it a weekend experience for your entire family!
Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions.

 

[cewait]

hi all. im looking to do my first half so i emailed them about their registration and this is what i got.

So, sounds for like for sure it moves from the current location

 

[Goofed98]

A post on slowtwitch had a pdf from Polk County about a proposal for a 5 year contract with WTC, to be voted on next week.

I'd say it is definitely moving.

Unfortunate, because I hate water where I can't see the bottom (sharks and alligators, of course), but I was willing to give it a go at Disney. Looks like I'll keep heading north for my tris.

 

[nancytoby]

Thanks for the info. I'm out for Florida Half (and IronKids), definitely!
<insert rant against WTC and NAS here>

Now working on alternatives.

Are any tris still held at WDW? I thought runDisney was going to get with the program and start offering tris, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

Danskin in my experience was a rules-free mob event with dangerously overcrowded bike legs. Trek moved off-Disney.

Any others in the pipeline?

 

[cewait]

Thanks for the info. I'm out for Florida Half (and IronKids), definitely!
<insert rant against WTC and NAS here>

Now working on alternatives.

Are any tris still held at WDW? I thought runDisney was going to get with the program and start offering tris, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

Danskin in my experience was a rules-free mob event with dangerously overcrowded bike legs. Trek moved off-Disney.

Any others in the pipeline?

None that I know if on property. I seem to recall that the lake at fort wilderness tends to have a not so nice bacteria in it once the water gets warm

 

[nancytoby]

None that I know if on property. I seem to recall that the lake at fort wilderness tends to have a not so nice bacteria in it once the water gets warm

If the bacteria don't get you the toxic amoebas will! (see post 7 this thread).

I don't think that's any different than any Florida lake, though. They probably just do a better job of water-testing at WDW. At least it's not tea-water brown from the tannins like some of those lakes down there!

 

[cewait]

If the bacteria don't get you the toxic amoebas will! (see post 7 this thread).

I don't think that's any different than any Florida lake, though. They probably just do a better job of water-testing at WDW. At least it's not tea-water brown from the tannins like some of those lakes down there!

In my area if you are not in the first half of the first heat you better be really good at siting.

 

[ironz]

Announced on Slowtwitch today that the race is definitely moving to Haines City. Same weekend, May 20, 2012. Registration opening Dec. 7. Website is not updated as of the late hour of this post.

Part of the reason is that FW is supposed to be getting a big refurb that will affect the transition area and staging of the race.
I suspect there is also whatever issues there might be between how WTC wants to run races and what WDW will allow on their property. This race was never produced by Disney Sports...more like WDW letting IMNA and then WTC come play in their backyard, with various restrictions. (for example, Gatorade couldn't be advertised when it was the sports drink they used because of the contracts WDW has with Coke.)

It could be a nice venue...I don't know. I suspect the run will be better, because it will no longer be the "ditch run" as one of my friends dubbed it. I don't see why you couldn't make a Disney vacation out of it, even if the race is not on WDW property anymore. It's still fairly close.

I probably won't be doing it, as I have other races and goals for the season, but I hope it turns out well. The RD is a friend of mine...good guy.

 

[Duanerice]

Yea, the site is updated today. Not sure. I wanted a HIM around that time without much travel. Still thinking. I've ridden in the area before, yes past Bok Tower even and it is OK. Nothing spectacular but none of the courses are unless it is say Cozumel or St George.

Anyone doing it for sure?

Duane

 

[nancytoby]

Yes, I see registration is open now.

About the event
Taking place at Lake Eva Park in Haines City, Florida, athletes will enjoy the fresh water, 1.2-mile swim in Lake Eva, a challenging 56-mile bike course through rural, Citrus Orchards in Polk County and a scenic 13.1-mile run course around the lake and throughout the park.

It looks like a decent swim and run course - can't say about the bike, looks a bit convoluted.

I mapped the lake at 28 miles from the Magic Kingdom, so it's still suitable for a WDW vacation if you want to stay a while, but.... not the same.

 

[nancytoby]

It looks like Lance Armstrong will be doing the Florida 70.3, if that makes anyone more or less likely to participate:

http://triathlon.competitor.com/201...ith-ironman-announces-2012-racing-plans_47499

 

[Duanerice]

Yea Lance and I are both in Looks like a nice race and it's only 2 hours from my house.

Anyone else signed up?
Duane