Ironman 70.3 California Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Brett M.
San Francisco, CA

  (04-12-2011)

"They definitely know how to put this race on well. Aside from the nasty winds out on the bike course, perfect weather. Little overcast, and 60\'s for the swim and bike, then the sun broke out and the wind kept things cool.

The hills on the bike aren\'t that crazy except for the first one. If you drop a chain, or have a problem and lose momentum, you can end up walking, but if you are prepared and correctly change gears, no problem grinding up.

One aspect I don\'t like is the concrete running. Almost a third of the run course is on concrete. My feet hurt for days after the race, but if that is the only drawback, this is still a kick a$$ race run by a great company.

Side note, for people who do IM\'s and 70.3\'s. There was not any reserved sections for bike racking in transition. First come first served, so get there early or risk getting stuck as there is only one aisle all the way through transition.

You can read my detailed race review at http://clydesdaletriathlon.blogspot.com"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

vanessa H.
san diego, CA

  (08-24-2010)

"Would I recommend this first as your first 70.3.. yes if you lived on hills. The swim was in Oceanside Harbor where the boats are docked so it is not at all possible to swim their prior to race day. Bring tinted goggles for swim since you will we swimming westward into the rising sun. You can pre-ride the first 15 miles of the course up through Camp Pendleton through the base up through San Clemente Beach. The rolling hills towards the first large climb are easier than the first large hill. Know when you see this hill it looks huge!! Seeing a few paramedics standing by didn't help. It's a tough climb and best if you have a triple front ring. The second hill looked hard and due to gi issues and a flat I didn't do it. The course has a scenic flat run along the coast that is spectator friendly. I would suggest friends watch you start and finish and well find something to do in between. My dad watched me swim and speed off on the bike, he was upset he saw me all of a minute when he drove an hour to watch me. Will I do it again yes, i'm already signed up for 2011. I'd suggest Sleeping Indian and Great Western Loop for prep. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

James L.
Lindon, UT

  (04-01-2010)

"This is an awesome race. The weather this time of year is perfect in Oceanside CA. The race course is fair yet challenging.

SWIM- Ocean swim with warmer waters than expected. I think this is due to the harbor. This one loop course was easy to understand. Straight out, left, left, then straight back. The wave sizes were perfect with not too many athletes. My only issue with this swim is that after turning the last marker you are swimming straight into the sun that just recently rose. This makes it tough to site. Everyone has to run the entire length of transition twice. This is fair but yikes... it's a long way.

BIKE- AWESOME course. The ride started out pretty fast and flat. The weather was perfect, and the sights were amazing. It was also neat riding through camp Pendleton. Riding past army trucks and men with guns! After the half way mark of the ride it was steady climbing and some hefty winds (very manageable). With about 6 miles to go this course gets fast. Flat to downhill terrain and smooth roads.

RUN- This was spectacular run course. Crowds of people the entire time. Breath taking ocean views with every glance to the South. Mostly flat run with only a few quick climbs. As this was an out and back course, every climb you did you was rewarded with the equivalent of a decline.

Te volunteers were in abundance and very helpful. Check in was smooth (well except for the 55 dollar ticket I got). Great outdoor expo right on the ocean. "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2010

Roxanne R.
SANTA MONICA, CA

  (03-30-2010)

"Pros: great weather, scenic course, great early season challenge, massage tent! Lots of folks use this race as a way to get into later season, sold-out Full IMs. Saturday race!

Cons: not enough portapotties at the start, lousy food after (only cold pizza in the tent at 2pm!), ran out of small women's size t-shirts very early

Swim: nice, protected water, virtually no current, return leg is challenging as you're swimming directly into the sun, it's hard to find any bouys.

Bike: Very nice course, first half is mostly flat along the coastline, back half is challenging with some hills and stiff headwinds. Good support with aid stations at approx 15, 30, & 45 miles.

Run: Nice, mostly flat 2 loop course along the ocean and Oceanside neighborhood. No sand (this year). Three aid stations, with good support and energetic volunteers."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Jeremiah S.
San Francisco, CA

  (03-29-2010)

"Swim- A nice Harbor swim. Seemed warm after training in SF Bay all winter. The route was protected, so no large waves. Open water start was interesting, but good training for Ironmen.
Bike- Flat first 25ish miles, then 3 climbs. First one is rather harsh after such long flats. 2nd climb is a gentle uphill followed by a crazy gusty windy downhill. 3rd hill is battling the wind, so try to get there earlier in the day... Last 15 miles are downhill back to town.
Run- Almost completely flat double out-n-back. A few very tiny hills, but enough to keep all your muscles entertained. The only complaint is the route is sometimes too narrow, especially when I was on my second lap.
Important note - the Transition Zone is very long, so you'll be running barefoot or in bike shoes for quite a distance - and it adds to your time!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Lauren S.
San Francisco, CA

  (03-29-2010)

"Having the Marine Corps organizing a race is amazingly efficient! Check in was seamless. However, schwag was less than awesome. Got backpack thing, two samples of Rhoto eye drops, and a poster (and shirt). Lots of Pros roaming around the expo though- always exciting!
Race morning- swim wave starts were staggered really wierd, as a 25-29F, I'm not a fan of being in the 14th wave and then having to swim over all the waves before me. Also, if you were late in lining up for your wave- the chute was really narrow, and you ended up pushing ME over! Line up on time! Race started right on time (thank you Marines!) and it was cool to see the pros coming out of the water (only perk to being one of the later waves). Swim was smooth, warm, although the water was a little gasoline-y at times.
Bike course was fast up until the hills started around mile 35. Headwind also waited to start up until we hit the hills. Longest last 15 miles ever! Aid stations every 15 miles, with Gatorade, water, bananas, and Gu.
Run was a two loop course, no shade, lots of pedestrians trying to get to the beach. No sand running at least! Aid stations every mile, thank goodness, as it was incredibly hot. Would have been awesome if they had sunscreen and vaseline at the aid stations though. Volunteers were AWESOME! super enthusiastic and helpful.
Post race- only had pizza, but got cool finisher hat and medal. very strict on checkout- had to have number match up etc. Overall- great race!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

ross s.
san francisco, CA

  (06-17-2009)

"My second Triathlon. This was a great experience and I would love to return maybe in a few years time. The swim was good, very flat conditions and the water felt warm after waiting to start so that was a bonus. The weather was great. The swim was my first open water. Out of the water I ran to the transition zone feeling good, out on the bike - interesting course - tough hills, I really ran out of power in the last 6 miles and couldn't get much speed up. The run was good due to the crowd, along a bit of sand then on to the road before a short steep section that was a killer (2nd time I walked it) then along through the houses, to the turn around point. then back to the start and repeat. The fact that it's 2 loops makes it tough cause others are finishing while you have to head back out again. One thing I loved about the run was that on your bib number it has your name so people can cheer you on by name. Very cool. The feeling of finishing was great, it was a tough day but something that I now have forever. I also think Ironman has got arranging these events very well sorted."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Damon K.
San Francisco, CA

  (05-05-2009)

"Just the dirty details here;

The air at the swim start was cold, cold, cold! Glad to get in the water in the channel. Wave start so very mellow out and back swim without a battle, and the water was smooth. The sun did rise when we were on the out, and the glare was pretty rough, so I was glad to have opted for shaded goggles.

The run to T1 was painful with all of the loose gravel; maybe I have sensitive feet :) Great support at the stop though.

The bike is the class of this course. Good start but much of it is through the normally restricted Camp Pendleton - extremely cool. The hills were rolling with a few good but short climbs. My derailleur was a bit messed-up so I stayed in the big ring for the rids. Not optimal but it was OK. Since we were in the military area, the only spectators wee the marines stationed at the camp in these sections. They were really awesome throughout the race. Despite the fact that this is their normal workout before breakfast they were enthusiastic and loud, especially at the aid stations.

Great support again at T2, and a few cuties there to reapply sunscreen. The run is 2 out and back loops. Originally we were supposed to run on a section of sand as well but this was scrapped. Flat and warm but made for a quick 13 miles. Again, the fan support was great, and since we were running on the beach, lots of bikinis (which blended well with the spandex).

Finish was organized and easy to find your group. It is downtown Oceanside so a quick dip to cool off, changed clothes and off to the outside bars for a apres! Great (great) day!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2007