General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2015-06-21 11:00 AM

New user
105
100
Wauwatosa, WI
Subject: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman
Hi, random question- which is the harder course- High Cliff or Racine? Obviously, taking weather conditions out of the mix.

I raced Racine in 2013 and Wisconsin Toughman (High Cliff) yesterday and was 3 & 1/2 minutes slower at High Cliff than Racine 2 years ago. I was faster on the swim and transitions, same on the bike, and 7 minutes slower on the run. They did change the run course at High Cliff so there as a steep 1/2 mile hill on a trail right out of T2 (not the road like last year) which 99% of racers walked.

Overall, happy with my performance, although I was in the top third at Racine and bottom third at High Cliff of course that all depends on who shows up for the race!

Thanks!!!

Rob


2015-06-22 8:53 AM
in reply to: Turner100

User image

Champion
7163
500020001002525
Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country!
Subject: RE: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman

I've done both races more than once each and I think the High Cliff multi surface run makes it a harder course, although the shaded trail run for High Cliff is nice if it's hot (which wasn't a factor this weekend).  

2015-06-26 8:51 PM
in reply to: SSMinnow

New user
105
100
Wauwatosa, WI
Subject: RE: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman
Hi Suzy, I agree- here are my thoughts:

Swim, easier but slower since I had to walk the first & last 100 meters at High Cliff.
Bike, slightly harder- more elevation
Run, harder with the 1/2 mile hill out of T2, and running on the grass portion of the trail was also harder for me.

Of course, if it's over 90 degrees again at Racine- that trumps everything , hoping for another cool summer!

Rob
2015-12-25 12:34 AM
in reply to: Turner100

User image

Regular
589
500252525
Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman
The swim at Toughman (High Cliff) is a little more predictable and a little warmer (Racine was 59 degrees this year). Never know what Lake Michigan is going to be like.

Bike at Toughman has rolling hills, but no real climbs, I thought it was fun. Racine is flatter, but just a lousy course. Terribly rough and beat up roads for about 30 / 56 miles. I've never seen so much cracked pavement in any course.

Run is a little hillier at Toughman, but other than the first hill, about the same.

Will throw in a 3rd race for comparison - Steelhead 70.3. Real similar to both of these, and extremely similar to Racine, but nicer roads to bike on.

2015-12-27 5:53 PM
in reply to: Turner100

User image

New user
129
10025
Green Bay
Subject: RE: Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman
I've done high cliff the last four years and I've found the course to be pretty predictable. The swim is ok but you have to run up the hill to T1, you usually have the wind to your back most of the second half of the bike course, except the last four miles- which sucks.

The run is ok, it's not great running on the grass and rocks, but the trade off is the trail running through the campground, which is a nice break. (and you get a nice downhill run to the finish, if your legs will hold up!)
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wisconsin Toughman 70.3 (High Cliff) vs. Racine Half Ironman Rss Feed  
RELATED POSTS

High Cliff = Toughman

Started by Swimbikeron
Views: 1215 Posts: 6

2015-04-21 7:47 AM wisconmd

High Cliff half distance

Started by cmscat50
Views: 1616 Posts: 12

2012-05-16 3:28 AM wisconmd

Thoughts on High Cliff Half Iron?

Started by Honorablegoat
Views: 2347 Posts: 8

2012-01-03 12:05 PM Gritty

Ironman Racine 70.3: Volunteers Needed

Started by kari09p
Views: 2200 Posts: 6

2010-06-28 9:30 AM kari09p

High Cliff or Spirit of Racine

Started by zaboo
Views: 1012 Posts: 8

2007-02-17 10:23 AM cantswim
RELATED ARTICLES
date : March 28, 2012
author : packetron
comments : 4
My personal experience to complete the Ironman 70.3
 
date : June 29, 2010
author : mrakes1
comments : 0
Discussions on losing weight during half Ironman training, high sugar fruits to avoid, and the Paleo diet.
date : May 24, 2010
author : Tri Swim Coach
comments : 0
Discussion on preventing over-rotation, free golf, strength and core training, the importance of the kick and high turnover vs low turnover.
 
date : December 11, 2009
author : Amy Kuitse
comments : 6
I just finished the NYC marathon on Sunday and I think I'm going to venture into triathlons. I am doing an Olympic distance and I want to do a 70.3 next year too. Any advice?
date : August 21, 2008
author : TriChica
comments : 8
I thought of all the times I didn’t attempt something I wanted to do because I was too afraid of trying something new or of failing completely.
 
date : August 21, 2008
author : vm354
comments : 1
How Pilates training helped a wanna-be triathlete realize the goal of completing a half-Ironman, Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island.
date : June 6, 2006
author : Ingrid Loos
comments : 4
A bad race left me smoldering, but time and a gentle breeze ignited my passion to race again.
 
date : August 30, 2004
author : sherrick
comments : 40
This half Ironman plan covers many weeks of challenging, but attainable training for someone who has some endurance experience, and ideally some Olympic distance races within the past season.