Syracuse 70.3 or Rev3 Quassy Half?

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I've done Syracuse and I've done the Quassy Oly three times too.
Swim course: both are in lakes. Syracuse is out and back, Quassy is a triangle-shaped course that has you swimming directly into the sun for the middle third. I had dark-tinted goggles and it was tough to navigate. Otherwise, I'd call it a push.

Bike course: both courses are really pretty. My recollection is that most of the Syracuse hill are long and shallow, while Quassy has more short, steep climbs and technical descents. It's a matter of preference, really. The consensus from friends who've done both is that the Quassy bike course is harder.

Run: Syracuse is a straight-up suffer fest. It's an out and back with nothing but hills. I saw many, many people walking. Because its an out/back, the hills are spaced pretty consistently. Very little shade as well, although the steepest section is nicely shaded. You're right that Quassy is mostly shaded and overall is a prettier course. Syracuse is more spectator-friendly, though.

Other stuff: syracuse's expo is at a hotel downtown and the race is at a park outside of town, so logistically, it's a bit of a pia the day before the race. There are lots of places to stay and plenty of decent restaurant to choose from in Syracuse. Quassy is in the middle if nowhere, so other than the expo (which is good-not-great) there's not many choices for hotels and dinner. We've stayed at the Hampton inn, which is pretty good. BUT, post race, Quassy gives you free tickets to the amusement park that hosts the race, and the post-race food is excellent. There wasn't much going on post-race at Syracuse, although we found a great pizza/sub place on the road back to town.

Hope that helps.