Western Region (?) Spring 2015 Key Race Selection
Team,
After our '14 Key Race of Wildflower fell through this year, I'd like to start the discussion about 2015, polling you guys to see what our Western Region Key Race for 2015 should be.
Requirements:
- Timing works for a large number of members
- Geography works --> either a reasonable driving distance or air travel very easy.
- One of the coaches needs to know the race very well.
- Fun, challenging course where ^this^ can be used to create a competitive advantage for the Team.
- Race stays open for a while so that members joining the team late-ish in the year can still race with it.
My candidates are IM California and IMSG 70.3.
- Timing and geography of CA works well for CA folks. Timing of IMSG works a bit better for people who want to fly to SG and race in some warmer weather.
- IMSG is definitely not as convenient geographically as CA --> SG is a 6hr drive from LA and probably 9-10 from the Bay Area. Athletes flying in will fly into Las Vegas and rent a car, about 130 mile drive to SG.
- Lots of affordable lodging in either location.
- In my experience, the closeness of CA can kinda cut down on the team vibe. That is, people leave work on Friday, register, race Saturday and split. It's always been tough to rally folks before and after the race. I think IMSG, because it's more of a travel race, will be easier to facilitate a team experience?
- However, IMCA sells out VERY quickly so there is that to consider.
Anyway, just wanted to get your thoughts. This isn't really an either / or decision. I can probably support both races -- already doing webinars for these, IMCA is 100mi from my house, and early May is usually awesome motorcycling weather in UT 
-- but just wanted to put this on your radar.
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Comments
What about a full distance race - CDA, LT, Boulder?
Al,
I'd say the requirements for an HIM key race are different from an IM key race. Details on the Key Race Program are here.
And much of this is driven, IMO, by the decisions that the members appear to be making with their wallets. As I'm on the front lines of the season planning process, I can say there seem to be more people racing these western HIMs vs these western IMs. Related, PnI have already chosen the '15 key IM's, according to a number of different factors.
But scheduling HIMs is a much less formal process/footprint so I'm spitballing SG and CA for now.
Having sherpa'd CA and raced IMSG, I'd choose SG 70.3 as a team venue. Registration is easy and stays open long. Timing is much better for JAN OS considerations with SG. The race course I think is much nicer, and the venue is as Rich said more conducive to getting participation in team functions / team weekend.
Good post race, team pic opportunities over shakes at Iceberg
. BYOB though 
I have not done IM CA, but this will be the second year that i will be doing st. george and more than likely i will do it again next year, especially if it's a key race. Unless you're doing IMTX, timing-wise this is a good early season half. The venue is beautiful and the course is challenging and benefits those who apply EN race execution tactics, so in that sense there is good justification for making this a 2015 key race. Also, i do think it's fairly accessible. Just about anywhere in the country you can get an inexpensive flight to vegas. I'm driving from Denver this year, but last year i flew into las vegas and despite being about 130miles, you can cruise pretty fast on the highway to st. george.
Any additional thoughts on IMCA and IMSG as key 70.3 spring events?