So many races, so little time...

It just depends on what you are looking for in a race. Big race vs Small race, Hilly vs Flat, Easy vs Tough. I enjoy adding some vacation after the race, so I tend to pick destination races versus backyard races.

Ironman 70.3 Cancun - well run, to darn hot, enjoyed the post race vacation more, might do again

Mar del Plata 1/2 (Argentina) - well run, 9 loops on the bike was just a bit much, awesome crowd support for everyone, nice city, takes a while to get there from MN, would do it again

Ironman 70.3 Florida - hot, hated the run course, we didn't have a car so all we had for food was what was available on the Disney property, myself would NOT do again

Ironman 70.3 Pucon (Chile) - well run, awesome crowd support for everyone, killer run course, enjoyed seeing an active volcano while on the bike and run course, enjoyed climbing the active volcano the day after the race, would do this race again even though it take a while to get there from MN

Steelhead 70.3 - not sure yet, will be doing it 1st time in August, people say good things about this race

Still thinking about doing Austin 70.3 and Silverman 1/2 this year as well...

Good luck in your search.

trNick from TRImapper.com

Partial to Vineman. I can fit family into the trip.

Second time this year and my coach has been an offical for years.

Pacific Crest is a fun and challenging HIM, as is Wildflower.

I don't mean to hijack, but has anyone done HFP's Half Iron Distance/ Toyota Challenge in Mt. Sterling, Ohio? Mostly curious about the swim, since it is my weakest link:( Thanks.

On the east coast, Mooseman in NH in June is great-smaller race but the RD does a VERY good job. In the west, Boise 70.3 was great and I'm sure it will get better and better since this was only its first year.

Vineman half was awesome. well organized, beautiful scenery, nice hills, lots of wine and the day after hit calistoga(?) for a day of massage and spa treatments (as a bribe to Mrs. H) would love to do it again.

Timberman Half - Also well organized, beautiful scenery _ cleanest lake EVER, nice hills was hot as heck in '02 but still loved it and would love another crack at it.

I love to do my HIMs in the Fall, so I like Black Diamond in Washington state. I used to like the Fall City in Salem, OR but they haven't done that the last two years. And I've heard that my favorite race, Black Hills, in Olympia Washington is going to return to HIM distance.

Tinman....Tupper Lake NY just up the road from Lake Placid.
Eagleman...The hilliest swim I've ever done.
Savage Man...With climbs of up to 24% grade...(I haven't doe the race, just the ride) Yikes!
A few others not worth mentioning because they don't exist any longer...You never forget your first! ;)

I would agree with you on if this was a destination FAMILY trip / race, kids love Disney (i don't have kids anyways). This was a quick in and out training race for us.

We actually liked the host lodging at the campgrounds, it was close to the race site, plus just hanging around other triathletes was cool. Disney does provide transportation to all of their properties, which is cool but spendy and crowded. Staying off-site for this race might be cheaper but might cause more hassles in trying to get into the area because of traffice and off-site transportation to the race site. I don't know, I didn't do that option.

One of the negative things about the race site was the no swimming prior to the race in the lake. The part of the run which was more like a trail run on the un-even ground sucked.

Here is the review I posted on the race on TRIjuice.com
Ironman 70.3 Florida Triathlon Race Review

You learn to take apart your bike to put it in a bike box, if you have to travel by plane. However, this past April on the trip to Hawaii the bikes shipped whole and we only took off the pedals. The bikes went Fed Ex Air and arrived a week prior to Lavaman. There are services now that will do it for you as well. Big thing is no CO2 on the plane. Big fine if found and they could open every box on the plane and who knows what can be put back in the box.

Vineman I'm driving with a friend and he paid the rental by taking three more bikes besides our two on the trip.

We all do have our faves....and I'm happy to moon about mine....

If you're going to pack the bike and get on a plane you could consider 5430 Long Course in Boulder, CO. I love these races. Barry Siff is a phenomenal RD and this event has gotten some coverage in tri rags as being one of the best smaller HIM distance events in the nation.

The swim waves are small enough that you can just get in there and swim without a lot of shenanigans. There are some really nice cruiser down hill sections on the bike course which let you pick up some good speed.. The run can be really hot since there really aren't any trees, but there is certainly no humidity! (yea!)

Oh and I love the TA set up. The racks hold 4 bikes a piece - two facing out in either direction held up by rear wheel. This essentially means that everyone gets a nice open space to set up gear and so forth. Kind of deluxe compared to the narrow little space you get in the typical TA set up.

Boulder is great racing and fun for scoping out the pros, too. Not only do a lot of the local pros come out to race, but they come out to watch the event. Last year I couldn't race it due to broken ribs. After my volunteer stint earlier that morning I installed myself in a comfy seat on the run course to and found that I was sitting next to Mirinda Carfrae and some of her training partners! Kind of fun to be able to say hi to them and then listen to them talk about what they're seeing in the race.

Lots of other great ones out there, this one tops my list every time though.