On the IM site you can overlay the different elevation profiles for each race and see how the compare. It really puts the different races into perspective. How DO you IMCD and IMLP or IMWI people do it????? Hmmmm.... for me it's no mystery why I chose AZ.

KHS said it all. It's such an individual decision on what's best for you. For my first iron distance race, I did one literally in my backyard (I can see the race start from my window now). It was close to home, pancake flat (although windy as all heck), and it came with tons of people I know cheering me on. For my next race, I chose an IM that held personal meaning for me. I'm from AZ and haven't been back on desert soil in almost 15 years. It'll be a homecoming for me of sorts. Plus, I'm a hill weenie (seeing as how we have none around here to train on), so any race with hills was out. I hate salt water (unless it includes me sunbathing on the beach), so an ocean swim was out. Canal water, OK. Fairly flat bike and run. OK. Wind? I live in OK, so that's definitely OK with me. AZ was a good choice for me.

Do you like hills? Are you comfortable in possibly colder temps? Do you dare tangle with jellyfish? When choosing a race, chose a place that you'll not only enjoy and do well on the course, but that you'll enjoy racing through and getting to see. For me, racing has a LOT to do with location. I choose places to race that let me see a bit of the country that I'll enjoy (a rule in our house is: every marathon must be in a different city so we can sightsee while being fed and watered on the course by strangers who are dedicated to making our day enjoyable). Enjoying my surroundings on race day makes the event much more memorable.

Good luck with your decision, and let us know what you decide.


Wow, I'm sorry that was so long-winded.