Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

Master

1770

Bedford, MA

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

Patriot, which I did this year, is pretty flat. It'll be a lot less crowded than an IM brand event, but you may want a bigger crowd. I haven't done Syracuse, so can't speak to that.

My Race Log

Champion

19812

MA

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

Another vote for Patriot. I have raced or volunteered every year for Patriot.

Low key, well organized, less hassle and cheaper than WTC race.

Good way to see what folks about the two races is read race reports from both races. What I heard about Syracuse after first year would not make me want to do the race.

My Race Log

Extreme Veteran

821

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

KathyG - 2011-09-30 8:26 AM

Another vote for Patriot. I have raced or volunteered every year for Patriot.

Low key, well organized, less hassle and cheaper than WTC race.

Good way to see what folks about the two races is read race reports from both races. What I heard about Syracuse after first year would not make me want to do the race.

this...

did it last year and I will probably do it again next year (or Rev Quassy)

My Race Log

Pro

4528

Norwalk, Connecticut

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

depends on what you are looking for.

Patriot: Coastal, almost Cape Cod Massachusetts, gorgeous, flat, fast, small (600 competitors), cheaper, very big BT contingent for a small race (Pre race dinner and such), great post race food and stuff. The RD does an awesome job, very well run.

never did Syracuse, been to that area of the state many times, grew up in NY, not really what i like about the Northeast or NY for that matter. I like smaller races, and have no desire to give my money to WTC for their brand. I would probably never even consider Syracuse if i ever did a WTC race.

I will be doing Rev3 and Patriot this year, Rev3 because it is local for me at home, and i want to race a half with friends. Patriot cause i love the race and the people i get to see up there, The Mass mafia are some of the best, and the course totally suits my strengths.

best of luck with your choice, i guess it comes down to what you want a race to be, and if location means anything to you.

My Race Log

Extreme Veteran

453

Long Island, NY

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

KathyG - 2011-09-30 7:26 AM

Another vote for Patriot. I have raced or volunteered every year for Patriot.

Low key, well organized, less hassle and cheaper than WTC race.

Good way to see what folks about the two races is read race reports from both races. What I heard about Syracuse after first year would not make me want to do the race.

I have read nothing but good things so far about Patriot. Part of me wants that low key feel and part wants the big race feel. But it seems that Syracuse had a low turn out this year...they supposedly changed the run course. I don't know if that was a good thing or bad. I have have a little time so looking forward to getting some more feedback.

My Race Log

Extreme Veteran

567

Rochester, NY

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

I did Syracuse this year as it was my first HIM distance race I don't have anything to compare it too. This year's race even though it was in September there were only a little over 800 at the race compared the first year which I heard was almost double that. They changed the run course which I thought was challenging in its self but others that did it the year before said it was a lot more difficult. There were some pretty big hills and since it was a 2 loop course had to do them twice. I thought the race was good, and I'll be doing it again next year only because it's close to me (1 hour away) and with a little training manipulation it will fit for my prep race for LP. The one thing that I didn't like about the race was that all the pre race stuff was in Liverpool and the actual race was like 25 minutes away. There are no hotels really near the race start so everybody is driving at 5AM on the one main road to the race start.

My Race Log

Pro

4353

Wallingford, PA

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

I'm also considering these 2 races, as well as Rev 3 Quassy for an early season half. I guess I have a bit of time yet to decide....

My Race Log

Extreme Veteran

453

Long Island, NY

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

jsnowash - 2011-10-02 6:56 AMI'm also considering these 2 races, as well as Rev 3 Quassy for an early season half. I guess I have a bit of time yet to decide....

I was originally considering Quassy but decided for next year I wanted to go less hilly than Timberman, not more hilly. I still think I am leaning towards Patriot. I am reading so many mixed reviews of Syracuse. I was hoping someone who has done both would chime in.

My Race Log

Champion

19812

MA

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

I think 'BostonBeginner' has done both...may have done Patriot in a relay. He doesn't post a lot any more.

My Race Log

Pro

4353

Wallingford, PA

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

elbi999 - 2011-10-03 8:15 AM

jsnowash - 2011-10-02 6:56 AMI'm also considering these 2 races, as well as Rev 3 Quassy for an early season half. I guess I have a bit of time yet to decide....

I was originally considering Quassy but decided for next year I wanted to go less hilly than Timberman, not more hilly. I still think I am leaning towards Patriot. I am reading so many mixed reviews of Syracuse. I was hoping someone who has done both would chime in.

I'm leaning toward Syracuse at the moment, myself.... mostly because it's a little less travel time for me, but I also think I might prefer a slightly larger race. What have you heard about Syracuse? Most of what I've seen has been pretty positive. I guess the run the first year went through a not-so-nice part of town, but they changed changed it for year 2 - hillier, but more scenic. The course is described as "challenging", but I get the impression that it's not quite as challenging as Quassy. Not sure how it would compare with Timberman, though.

My Race Log

Extreme Veteran

453

Long Island, NY

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

jsnowash - 2011-10-03 8:13 AM

elbi999 - 2011-10-03 8:15 AM

jsnowash - 2011-10-02 6:56 AMI'm also considering these 2 races, as well as Rev 3 Quassy for an early season half. I guess I have a bit of time yet to decide....

I was originally considering Quassy but decided for next year I wanted to go less hilly than Timberman, not more hilly. I still think I am leaning towards Patriot. I am reading so many mixed reviews of Syracuse. I was hoping someone who has done both would chime in.

I'm leaning toward Syracuse at the moment, myself.... mostly because it's a little less travel time for me, but I also think I might prefer a slightly larger race. What have you heard about Syracuse? Most of what I've seen has been pretty positive. I guess the run the first year went through a not-so-nice part of town, but they changed changed it for year 2 - hillier, but more scenic. The course is described as "challenging", but I get the impression that it's not quite as challenging as Quassy. Not sure how it would compare with Timberman, though.

I believe that there were half the number of participants this year compared to the first year at Syracuse (only about 800 people I think??) Maybe that is because the previous year had the run course going through that not-so-nice part of town and scared some people off?? I think some of the mixed reviews I am thinking of are from 2010 with the different run course, but I can't remember. Both races are about the same travel distance for me.

My Race Log

Expert

1099

Bedford, NH

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

I have attempted both races (DNFed Syracuse the first year they had it because I bent my wheel and broke a spoke on the bike), but I agree with pretty much everything that has been said on here. Syracuse is IM branded and despite the lower numbers this year will still have more people than Patriot will. The cons with Syracuse were: Expo/Packet pickup was like 20-25 min away from the transition area and there really weren't any convenient hotels, run course did go through the "no so nice" part of town, and I didn't care for the finish being very far from the transition area. They had shuttle buses, but it was a pain. The pros were: Beautiful rolling course, well organized, IM branded (some people really like that).

As for Patriot, I have nothing but good things to say. Great, fast course and is an extremely well organized race.

I would do both of the races again. Since it looks like you're from NY, it may be more convenient for you to do Syracuse. However, if I had to pick between the two, I would pick Patriot.

My Race Log

Extreme Veteran

453

Long Island, NY

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

PeakTriCoaching - 2011-10-03 10:17 AM

I have attempted both races (DNFed Syracuse the first year they had it because I bent my wheel and broke a spoke on the bike), but I agree with pretty much everything that has been said on here. Syracuse is IM branded and despite the lower numbers this year will still have more people than Patriot will. The cons with Syracuse were: Expo/Packet pickup was like 20-25 min away from the transition area and there really weren't any convenient hotels, run course did go through the "no so nice" part of town, and I didn't care for the finish being very far from the transition area. They had shuttle buses, but it was a pain. The pros were: Beautiful rolling course, well organized, IM branded (some people really like that).

As for Patriot, I have nothing but good things to say. Great, fast course and is an extremely well organized race.

I would do both of the races again. Since it looks like you're from NY, it may be more convenient for you to do Syracuse. However, if I had to pick between the two, I would pick Patriot.

Thanks for the feedback Colin. I have yet to find something bad to say about Patriot. And actually even though I live in NY Patriot is about 45 minutes closer to my home.

My Race Log

Pro

4353

Wallingford, PA

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

PeakTriCoaching - 2011-10-03 11:17 AM

I have attempted both races (DNFed Syracuse the first year they had it because I bent my wheel and broke a spoke on the bike), but I agree with pretty much everything that has been said on here. Syracuse is IM branded and despite the lower numbers this year will still have more people than Patriot will. The cons with Syracuse were: Expo/Packet pickup was like 20-25 min away from the transition area and there really weren't any convenient hotels, run course did go through the "no so nice" part of town, and I didn't care for the finish being very far from the transition area. They had shuttle buses, but it was a pain. The pros were: Beautiful rolling course, well organized, IM branded (some people really like that).

As for Patriot, I have nothing but good things to say. Great, fast course and is an extremely well organized race.

I would do both of the races again. Since it looks like you're from NY, it may be more convenient for you to do Syracuse. However, if I had to pick between the two, I would pick Patriot.

That was one of the things changed about the run course. It is no longer point to point, but a loop course finishing back at or near transition.

My Race Log

Expert

1099

Bedford, NH

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

elbi999 - 2011-10-03 11:50 AM

PeakTriCoaching - 2011-10-03 10:17 AM

I have attempted both races (DNFed Syracuse the first year they had it because I bent my wheel and broke a spoke on the bike), but I agree with pretty much everything that has been said on here. Syracuse is IM branded and despite the lower numbers this year will still have more people than Patriot will. The cons with Syracuse were: Expo/Packet pickup was like 20-25 min away from the transition area and there really weren't any convenient hotels, run course did go through the "no so nice" part of town, and I didn't care for the finish being very far from the transition area. They had shuttle buses, but it was a pain. The pros were: Beautiful rolling course, well organized, IM branded (some people really like that).

As for Patriot, I have nothing but good things to say. Great, fast course and is an extremely well organized race.

I would do both of the races again. Since it looks like you're from NY, it may be more convenient for you to do Syracuse. However, if I had to pick between the two, I would pick Patriot.

Thanks for the feedback Colin. I have yet to find something bad to say about Patriot. And actually even though I live in NY Patriot is about 45 minutes closer to my home.

Cool! Sounds like I'll most likely see you at Patriot next year then.

My Race Log

Veteran

221

Riverdal NJ

Subject: RE: Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

Signed up for the Patriot Half this morning because of this. Hope its a good first HIM see you all in June!

My Race Log

Patriot Half or Syracuse 70.3

REGISTER TODAY