Oh no tri girl. IMAZ is almost a FLAT course!! The bike leg is a gradual uphill to the turn around, but I am a hill WEENIE! The QUEEN of the weenies in fact, and it was fine!! For some reason I liked breaking it up in three loops, mentally it was easier for me.
I think the run course was probably hillier, but then by the time you get to the run there isn't much "run" left in my legs for it to matter. And even that wasn't bad at all. I really think of it as a flat course. IMO the hardest part of the race is that it's in the desert. For us Zonies that's not a problem, but for people in more humid climes it poses some issues. Also for people that have been training in frigid weather all winter the heat is a BIG shock.

Now as for the water, yeah it is green, but the local officials keep it in good condition. They are CONSTANTLY monitoring the water. I know last year they actually threw some granules in it in the weeks leading up to the race to break up the algae. A few weeks ago they had an issue before the timex race when the PH was a bit high, but I think they got that in order before race day. I think there may be some triathletes working for the city, because they seem to keep the lake in good order. It's also used by the college for rowing and such.
My worry with KY would really be the industrial sludge that is dumped into the OH river. That is where the swim start is going to be I think?? Of course I could be wrong. I haven't really looked into it that much.
Anyhooo... yeah, IMAZ gets a HUGE thumbs up from me course wise!