New FS Series Half Iron Distance Race

I am interested. 

Need to work in a half in September before IM Florida and already did Augusta last year and Williamsburg and Cedar Point kinda far drive for a "B" race.

More details ASAP would be helpful as I was actually hoping to have a HIM booked by March/April.  I only worry about first time events and how everything will flow on race day.

Well the good thing is FS has put on lots of races, including HIMs so I would think they know the flow of things.

That being said, I would have LOVED to have this race on the calendar last year as a prep for IMFL...perfect timing and close to home.  I may have to volunteer this year!

What is the old bike course like?   Anyone done both the Duke and Augusta courses?  I don't want a "hilly" course as this is a IMFL tuneup and a "hilly" course does me no good pacing wise.  I have no problems with the elevation of Augusta.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/map.asp?routeid=34363

Anyone concerned with it being a bit of a ghost town out there for this race? I don't usually care about crowd support but I think it is nice to race with other people, rather than mostly solo- get plenty of that in training. Since this competes directly with B2B, do you think it will get much attention? And do you care?

For me, the problem with this race is that it competes with the UNC vs ECU football game in Chapel Hill the day before.............................

I don't care about crowd support but I do care about the number of racers.  I loved having 2500 people with me in Augusta (and even the 700 at White Lake).  Always someone/something to take my mind off the hurt.  Things can get pretty spread out in a HIM and would be bored to tears if I didn't see many on the run course.

That said, it may do OK registration wise IF they get thier stuff together quickly.  Augusta HIM prices go up March 31 so a lot of people will be making decisions around that time.  The $175 price savings would draw a lot of "tune-up" people toward this unnamed race.  Wait too long and people will already have thier plans.

One thing this does have going for it is that it is actually at a good time for those doing B2B and IMFL fulls.  Fits perfectly in my schedule for Florida and is a month before B2B.   Plus the $100 entry fee makes it super attractive for folks looking for a "B" race.  It pains me to think about spending $275+ for an Augusta tune-up.

One tip for FSSeries if they are reading this...advertise this race in the Charlotte market. Get IOS involved somehow.  Most Charlotte people I know have already done Augusta, and while a great race, the pricetag is getting crazy.

That is my main issue.  While I ride totally on rollers in CLT, I would really like to find a flat race similar to IMFL which is why I really want to do Cedar Point but the 8 hour drive makes me want to cry (but I LOVE Cedar Point amusement park).

For me, HIM recovery is much shorter than marathon recovery.  A day or 2 and you are good to go (at least for me).  You might not be a top speed the weekend after, but shouldn't have too many issues getting the work in. 

I don't think it is too close to B2B.  I met a TON of folks doing Augusta last year (Sept 25th) that were doing if for their final tuneup before IMFL (Nov 5th).  That is 6 weeks between events.  Unnamed half to B2B is 5 weeks. 

I do not care about the crowd support or the number of racers. I did the Washington Half last year and it had neither. It was COLD though. Of course it was competeing with B2B the sane day. For the price it is great and I AM doing it as a tune up for IMFL. Hills or flat do not matter to me.

Another option for flat tune up is the PAtriots Half in VA.

I like your priorities here.

I've raced Augusta and I train on this bike course constantly.  Augusta was a breeze compared to this, very flat.  I'd advise Augusta would be a better course for IMFL comparison,  but check with Jenn and Scottie since they've raced both.  

My thoughts on racing this half as a B2B pre prace would be good only if used purely as a training day.   A month out is getting close to taper time and it's never worth risking the injury at full out effort.  But if you use it as a test for nutrition and gear performance and basically a long training day I think it's probably worth it. 

I'm seriously considering racing this vs Augusta for cost and location.  Even though the Augusta race was great and a fast course, there is something to be said for a race venue 20 minutes from my house and less than half the cost on entry fees alone. 

count me intrigued.  had to cancel my B2B plans due to work.  this is close and on a weekend I can swing.  hhmmmmmm.

Talk about complete opposites.  This course vs B2B.  This course is no joke!