Swimming at the Ironman Race Site

vykkio

Now that Ironman race sites appear to no longer have the "Gatorade Swim" (with checked bags) for the athletes, does anyone know if pre race swimming is even allowed anymore? Are buoys set for several days before the race or just on race day?

arzaske

Last year the buoys were just set on race day. Given the boat traffic on the lake, I suspect that will be the case this year. There were a whole bunch of people swimming Thurs-Sat in the general vicintiy of the course. Not terribly wise to go too far out given boat traffic, although some folks braved it anyway.


It is a pretty straightforward course. Straight out from the beach (very wide start, also allowed to go to the left of the buoys as long as you pass the furthermost buoy on the right to make the turn) for something close to 1/2 mile then left turn for .1-.2 Miles directly into the rising sun (very hard to sight, so definitely have tinted goggles if sunny day) then left turn to the beach. Get out of water, run through timing arch and then back into water for lap 2.

Spokane_Al

If the buoys are not set up, there is still room to swim. The normal designated swim area is fairly wide and works fine for laps if you are nervous and reluctant to venture out beyond that area. You can also follow the shore for a bit as well if you wish to extend the length of your laps. Either way there will be an opportunity to get your toes, and the rest of you, wet prior to race day. I swim in that area during the summer fairly regularly and have yet to be run over by a boat or an airplane.

Stay warm!

tuckerm

As for checked bags, isn't that what Coach Rich is for?