With the very first competition being held in 1999, Ironman USA takes place in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in the village of Lake Placid, New York. Lake Placid is about 5 hours north of New York City, and 2.5 hours north of the Albany area. This is truly a magnificent location for what is one of the most challenging athletic events in the world.
Below is a description of the Ironman Lake Placid course…
Ironman Lake Placid Swim Course:
The Ironman Lake Placid swim course is a two loop course in crystal clear Mirror Lake. There is a cable that is visible under the water (used for the rowing team). If you are brave and don’t mind being beat up a bit, try to ride the line while swimming, makes for easy sighting. If you aren’t so brave and do mind the bruises you will incur, stay to the right, sighting really isn’t an issue here either – just follow the large group.
Ironman Lake Placid Transition 1:
After getting out of the water, lay back while one of the wetsuit strippers peels your garb off. Take a leisurely ½ mile run into the Olympic Oval, grab your swim to bike bag and head for a tent. Take full advantage of the volunteers wanting to help. When you come out of the change tent, hopefully a volunteer will see your number and have your bike waiting for you.
Ironman Lake Placid Bike Course:
Careful coming out of transition. You will cross the line, jump on your bike and there will be an immediate switchback turn that will lead you to the city streets that will shoot you out of town where the fun begins.
After leaving town there is a 7-8 mile climb followed by a 7-8 mile screaming downhill into the village of Keene. High speeds are reached on this downhill stretch. Be very careful – there can be some strange winds that whip up in this area and hit you from the side. Be ready. My top speed last year was 40 mph….many males I know have hit 50 mph. A scary, yet incredibly exciting portion of the race, this portion helps to boost your average speed after the slow climb in the beginning.
The next portion of the Ironman Lake Placid bike course takes you from Keene to Upper Jay then to Jay. This is the part that you should really take advantage of and eat and drink as much as you can. Relatively flat with some rollers you can help your average speed here as well.
From Jay you will take a left and climb to Wilmington (6 miles). This portion of the Ironman Lake Placid bike course is challenging, but short.
Once in Wilmington you will turn right onto Hazelton road going 7 miles out and 7 miles back. Some rollers, but again, a good place to eat and drink as once you hit the final stretch from Wilmington to Lake Placid, there won’t be much opportunity to fuel.
The final stretch of the Ironman Lake Placid bike course is from Wilmington to Lake Placid. The climbs just never seem to end here. Right when you leave Wilmington they start and seem to go on forever, then you get a bit of relief before hitting the final climbs that are named…Little Cherry, Big Cherry, Mama Bear, Baby Bear and Papa Bear. On the Papa Bear hill people will be lined up on both sides of the hill cheering you on and chasing you up the hill. It’s awesome – enjoy it.
After climbing Papa Bear, you turn right and head towards Mirror Lake which is where your special needs bag will be. At this point you are close to either starting your next loop or finishing your second loop.
Transition 2:
Volunteers will be screaming at you to stop your bike before you cross the line. Jump off, hand them your bike, run to your transition bag, run to tent, smile, and start running.
Ironman Lake Placid Run Course:
When you come out of the transition tents out onto the streets of Lake Placid, the place will be packed. Enjoy this, give high fives, smile, have fun!
The Ironman Lake Placid run course is two loops with much spectator support. There are several down hills heading out of town which makes for steep up hills when you come back into town.
Finish Line:
You will finish this race in the Olympic Speed Skating rink – the same one that Eric Heiden won five gold medals in the 1980 Olympics. It’s exciting, you come into the rink, the music is blasting, people are everywhere, give them your best smile, high fives and helicopter arms. This is your moment, you are an Ironman!
