Ironman Maryland

Location	Cambridge, Maryland
Race website	Website link
Time of year held	October
Approx Athlete Numbers	1400
Does it typically sell out?	No; sometimes
One word description for the event	Boring; flat
Good for first iron distance race?	Yes

Tips for overseas athletes getting to the venue:

Fly into BWI, rent a car or take a 1.5 hour bus to Hyatt Regency (Breezyway offers a ride for approx. $65)
Stay at the Hyatt or rent a home on VRBO or airbnb.com

One word description for the swim	long
Single or multi-lap course?	2 laps
Typically wetsuit-legal?	Yes
Swim course description	River, rolling start

Swim tips

Can be some current in the water so sight often
Currents are challenging. The course is two loop in the water with no midway exit.
Draft, and when it gets shallow enough to stand, keep pushing, whether your swim or dolphin dive.
Don't let the swim time get into your head and affect the rest of your race.

One word description for the bike	Flat; fast
GPS map link for the bike course	Ride with GPS
Video link for the bike course
Single or multi-lap course?	2 laps

Bike Course description

Very flat throughout, no climbing at all.
Lollipop - up the stick around the candy, 2x back down the stick to the start.
Fast and flat, provides the opportunity to have a PR.
Aerodynamics is the key to success, but remaining aero for 5 hours can negatively impact your run performance.

Bike Course tips

Stretch out on the bike to prepare for the run.
Seems longer because there isn’t much change in the course or your riding position.
Make a note to stretch out of the saddle just to stay somewhat limber.
Pack riding is rampant due to terrain.
It all looks the same. Winds will be 50/50. If 25mph in your face...be patient it will be 25mph to your back in about 20 miles.

One word description for the run	Flat; manageable
GPS map link for the run course	Ride with GPS
Video link for the run course
Single or multi-lap course?	3 laps

Run course description

Mostly a neighbourhood run, with a few miles out in the country per lap.
Runs along the water (look!), into a quiet bypass(relax), into a community(smile), and through a bustling downtown full of party revelers.(absorb the energy) A little bit of everything on the experience spectrum. Then repeat,.

Run course tips

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

Enjoy Great Marsh Park, the shops downtown.
Get to the high school about an hour after the swim to view your athlete on the bike course.
Use the shuttles offered for getting point to point.

Great places to eat:

Best bike or tri shop in town:

closest bike shop - On the Rivet in Cambridge (Rte 50, 3 miles)
Closest tri shop TriCycle and Run in St Michaels (35 miles away...but they usually will set up or accept your bike for shipment and bring it to the venue)

Best pick for accommodation:

Best things for the kids to do:

Cool things to do after the race:

Any warnings that people should know about before entering:

The race takes part on nice roads and around a wildlife refuge but the town of Cambridge is a struggling community overall.
Not a vacation destination like most Ironman venues.
Finding accomodation can be challenging. Look early, don't get discouraged. Locals seem to wait until the last minute to open their homes for rental.

General tips:

There is a push to revitalize the downtown but know that the entire marina area is surrounded by very low income housing which makes for a startling contrast.

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: Mark Ryan; Tracy Maccherola