HITS Full Iron distance vs. IM brand 140.6

I have never heard of HITS...but I am doing my first "Ultra" on August 25th.  http://www.expeditionman.com/ 

This is a USAT sanctioned event and looks like an awesome course and so far I have been very impressed with the info/organization.  Of course, I have nothing to compare it to.  

I could care less if it's and Ironman Branded event.  My goal is to complete a 140.6 race in the times I have set.  

With 235 participants registered so far - seems like it may be a great intro to "Ironman" branded event.  

x2, they put on an awesome race!

HITS has a full complement of races in January down here in Naples, FL.  Unfortunately the full was not very well attended last year.  I think they had like 24 people total.  I would have been on the podium in my AG!  Might have even swept the top 3 spots in my AG   I hope they make it though.  It's just the timing is not the best for a full.  Not too many people are ready in January.  I might do the half or Olympic next year.

As for my first IM, there as no doubt, I wanted an IM branded event.  I like events with a lot of people, lots of volunteers and crowds of spectators.  I would not like an IM that has just a couple of hundred people.  It would turn into a training ride/run once the field spreads out.  I can do that on my own. 

Nothing wrong with any of these races and I hear great things about Rev.  As long as the crowds are there, I wouldn't hesitate to race another type of 140.6.

enjoy,

Duane

While I wanted my first "full" to be an IM event, the locations and timing didn't work for me this year....my first Full Iron Distance will be the Full Vineman up in the Sonoma (Napa) Valley area of California in 3 weeks. I'm very excited and am quite "over" the fact that it is not an IM event.

I've heard nothing but great things about the venue, course, support, etc. It was about 1/2 the price of an IM event, but from what I've heard, the food is better, the participation is a bit lighter (expecting just over 1000 this year) but the local support is good.

HITS is very interesting too...I'm strongly considering doing the Palm Springs HITS, like the half, at the beginning of Dec this year.

My first IM event will be the 70.3 in Oceanside, CA next March. I'm still trying to decide the "right" 140.6 Ironman event to do next year....I was too slow to decide on Tahoe, so that's not an option any longer! 

Personally - I'd say find the right 140.6 for you, based upon your "life" (location, cost, timing, family and work obligations, etc.)...and don't worry about whether it's an IM event or an independent. 

You mean it can get worse than cold Domino's pizza?...

Difference in experience from having 20 athletes vs. 2500 is huge.

The vibe of WTC IM race is amazing which is in part due to the size of the field.

If I wanted an option outside of IM brand, I'd look at Beach to Battleship or the Rev 3 before HITS. HITS is expensive for a new race that has had some issues.