Ironman Lake Placid

Location	Lake Placid, New York
Race website	Website link
Time of year held	July
Approx Athlete Numbers	2300
Does it typically sell out?	Yes
One word description for the event	Gorgeous; iconic
Good for first iron distance race?	Yes; only if up for a big challenge

Tips for overseas athletes getting to the venue:

The closest airport is in Saranac Lake, but it is small. The closest large airport is in Albany, NY about a 3 hour drive away. It is a pretty easy drive from just about anywhere though.

One word description for the swim	Fast; awesome
Single or multi-lap course?	2 laps
Typically wetsuit-legal?	Yes
Swim course description	Lake, rolling start. Exit water between laps.

Swim tips

It's the fastest lake swim you can ever have
There are cables that run across the lake, where the buoys are located. If you get on the cables, it is just like swimming in a long lap pool. Most people want this line however.
The turn buoys can get extremely congested on the first loop, so good decision may be to start wide.

One word description for the bike	Spiritual
GPS map link for the bike course	Map link
Video link for the bike course	Video link
Single or multi-lap course?

Bike Course description

Bike Course tips

The last ten miles of each lap are not difficult, but they're gradually up hill, into the wind, and very slow. This is the hardest part of the race because it's deflating to be cranking out those watts and going nowhere.
4 mile downhill to Keene is a great part of the ride and one can ride very fast during this portion. Make sure you are comfortable descending.
Take the first loop easy and do not hammer the hills or the rest of the race will be very tough.

One word description for the run	Rolling; challenging
GPS map link for the run course
Video link for the run course
Single or multi-lap course?	2 laps

Run course description

Rolling with a couple of solid climbs, OK shade, GREAT crowds.
The first 3 miles are net downhill to the ski lifts. Rollers on River Road. Back at the ski lifts, the first hill is a short climb. The 2nd hill at around miles 11/24 is tough. If one paces correctly, they are doable.

Run course tips

Drive the course to get to know where the turn around is- otherwise its seems like you are out there forever before you start coming back into town.
Hold true to your pace. Do not smoke yourself the first 3 miles.

Tips for supporters get the most out of watching the event?

Try to stay in town if you can so you can walk everywhere
Have fun around town. Lake Placid is a great little town. The Olympic atmosphere and spirit is real here.

Great places to eat:

Best bike or tri shop in town:

Best pick for accommodation:

There are a couple of spots right on mirror lake where you can watch the whole race from your balcony.
Use VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) and rent a house, condo or apartment.

Best things for the kids to do:

Swimming on Mirror Lake and Lake Placid is amazing.
The whole area is kid paradise.
My father and my son went bass fishing with a guide on Saranac Lake on Friday before the race and had a blast.
Swim in Mirror Lake and hang out at the beach.

Cool things to do after the race:

Take a boat ride on Lake Placid.
Drive to the top of Whiteface Mountain and see spectacular views. Several mountain ranges are visible.
Go to the top of the ski jumps or do bobsled ride (on rollers).
Shop in town.

Any warnings that people should know about before entering:

Parking in town is very tough over the weekend.
Housing can get expensive and sells out quickly. One can usually find something even late however. There are places to stay in nearby towns of Keene, Wilmington and Saranac Lake.

General tips:

Best thing about this race:

Anything negative about this race:

RACE REPORTS AND OTHER VIDEO LINKS SUPPLIED

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Thank you to the following people who have contributed content to this page: Andy Zucotti; John Duda