Ford Ironman Wisconsin Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Jason E.
Sun Prairie, WI

  (09-16-2009)

"Course:

Swim: The two loop, water start course is in Lake Monona. An urban lake that suffers from frequent bacterial and algae problems. This summer it has even suffered the fate as lake that has taken some lives. It is not clear, it often smells bad, but it is warm, usually calm in the mornings, and in a great location. Weeds were not too bad. They were only noticeable in a small area right near the entrance/exit. NAS puts down gravel and mats as relief from a rocky bottom at the entrance/exit, but the entire course is beyond walking depth. During the swim, the Monona Terrace provides for amazing spectator opportunities, and provides a stadium like feel to the swim.

Bike: Starting in downtown Madison, the course quickly shoots into rural Dane County. It is a popsicle course, with 2 loops at the top starting and ending in Verona. You will also make 2 trips through Mt. Vernon, Mt. Horeb, and Cross Plains. Known as a fairly hilly course, the profile might not look very intimidating from an elevation standpoint, but it forces you to make decisions all day long. You are never climbing, descending, or on a flat for any extended period. Some of the views are boring (corn), while some are spectacular (Garfoot Rd. comes to mind).

Run: 2-loop urban run through downtown Madison and parts of the University of Wisconsin Campus. Some feel like it’s a tease to make you turn around just meters from the finish line only to run the course again. I personally got a kick out of it to know I was half done. There is a lot to see on this run. My only beef is the Lakeshore Path after dark, even with the rented lights can get really, really dark. Some old guy was a little delirious and was running down the wrong side of the path going in the other direction on his loop back, and almost took me out.

Transitions: Inside of the Monona Terrace convention center, the transitions are on carpet, are extremely well planned out and organized, with plenty of seating, and good direction. The bike corral is the longest I have ever seen.

Crowd: Amazing during the swim, amazing on some of the more popular parts of the bike course (Timber Lane for example), and absolutely astonishing on State Street during the run, and on the home stretch. The atmosphere during the run is just electric, especially in those busy parts. So uplifting and motivating.

Organization: NAS wowed me on this one, from check-in, to the athlete dinner and meeting, to the layout of the store, expo/Ironman village, to race day. On race day I identified absolutely zero glitches. Aid stations were stocked and frequent, and post race support was phenomenal. Even more phenomenal are the volunteers. Wow! I always knew it took a special person to volunteer, but these people amazed me with their support and just looked genuinely interested in your happiness.

Overall:

What else can I say? This race, as I assume most, if not all NAS/Ironman events are a step above the rest. I used to believe that it was just a corporate logo, but people typically buy into brands for a reason, and that’s because they are desirable. In this case the Ironman branded races are desirable because they are such spectacular events. Especially Wisconsin, so I hear. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for making my first IM experience an amazing one.
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Jason S.
Chicago, IL

  (06-11-2009)

"Awesome race from top to bottom. Top notch facilities used (expo, etc) and Madison is a young, vibrant city. Beautiful setting for a race. The bike course is extremely undulating with short but very frequent climbs (and a few steep ones). The spectator support on bike and run is unbeatable. On two of the steep climbs you feel like you're on a climb like you'd see in the Tour de France -- going up a narrow path with spectators close to you on each side. Smooth roads for bike. Be advised weather at this race is highly unpredictable. It could be 50 and rainy or 100 and sunny/humid."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008