MightyMan Half Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Christopher S.
New York, NY

  (10-08-2009)

"Only a few points to add to the other reviews:

1) The organization of this race is excellent. The organizers were responsive to e-mail questions, and there were plenty of volunteers at registration as well as on the day of the event.

2) The volunteers. When I did the race in 2008, it rained for most of the bike portion, but there were still plenty of volunteers at all the critical junctures. Given that the race lasts up to 8 hours, this is no mean feat.

3) The scenery. It's Montauk. If you're not familiar with this part of Long Island, know that Montauk is a fishing town/resort, but not fancy like the Hamptons just down the road. It's a beach town, which not only means that you can relax before and after the race by the sea, you also get some great scenery during the race.

4) The atmosphere. Maybe it's the location, but I found that this race seems to attract some of the most laid back triathletes you could hope to meet. "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

jeanne m.
brooklyn, NY

  (10-05-2009)

"Relatively small race (400-600 finishers), nice setting. Swim in fresh water pond; bike has a couple climbs and rollers but mostly flat, but the run is legendarily hard: the "murder hill" section at miles 4 and 11 live up to the name."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Steven L.
New York, NY

  (05-21-2009)

"Last year was my first year doing the Mighty Half.

Swim – the swim takes place in a freshwater pond adjacent to the transition area. The freshwater is a plus as it is flat, but the course was a bit short last year. This may not bother some (me included), but for purists, this could be a huge problem. As it’s early October, the water is warm and calm.

Bike – the bike course is both scenic and boring at the same time. It is a two loop course that consists of four “out and back” portions. The scenic part is the state park that marks the end of Long Island. There is a lighthouse with sweeping views of the ocean on three sides. It’s nice and all, but it’s a race, not a bus tour. The ride out to the park from transition has a couple of rolling hill and some long gradual inclines. You follow the park drive around and exit back onto the same road. You follow this back down to just outside of town and then take a right and start you second “out and back”. This road takes you out to a small beach where you turn in the parking lot and head back. This portion is mostly flat. You pull back onto the road into town and then take another right that you follow around Montauk harbor before starting the third “out and back”. This part is again mostly flat. After clearing through the harbor area, you take a right into a residential area that takes you on a 2 mile “out and back” that is shaped like a capital P. There is then a long gradual hill before you descend into another residential neighborhood. This road is a cul-de-sac that descends to a dead end turn around following a downhill. You turn around and head back up the hill and out to the main road from which you came. You continue on this road and then pass the transition area to start lap two.

Run – The run is very challenging. It is two loops. The first 2 miles are relatively flat, followed a series of steep climbs the first of which is referred to as “Murder Hill”. Once you complete the climbs, you run into another residential area. This part of the course is referred to as “The Pits”. The road you are running on forks into two short dead end cul-de-sacs. You must run downhill into the first and then up and back out and then run downhill into the second before turning and running back up a long uphill. You then retrace your path down Murder Hill and head back to transition for the second lap. The hilly run course would have been the end of me had this not been a late season race.

While I had my best finish of the year for this race, I was expecting more out of it. The bike course, while not completely unchallenging, was somewhat boring with its “out and backs”. The sense of accomplishment after finishing such a difficult run is nice, but does not take away from an otherwise boring course. An added bonus is the sweatshirt you receive in your schwag bag. Overall, I’d recommend this to someone who wants to challenge his/her late season fitness with a relatively boring race that has a challenging run. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008