2023 Ironman 70.3 Jones Beach New York - Race Review and Recap - Largest Inaugural 70.3 Race!

[@tallone302]

Outstanding event! Traveled up from Georgia to participate in the race. The wind and rain definitely sucked. With that being said, the volunteers, the support personnel, those blocking traffic, and especially Corey were all phenomenal. Everyone that was there supporting us made this race. Additionally the locals who were out on the bike course cheering as we were fighting the wind and rains, helped keep me motivated to continue to rock the bike course. As you mentioned, there were some times that I had no choice but to pass people on the right because they were two abreast just cruising in the passing lane. I don't think I will do the race again, but if I was local I would definitely volunteer. Overall awesome community, outstanding support, great food in the local area, and friendly people is a win for any race. Excellent recap thank you for doing this!

[@GivinItATri]

Thanks for visiting and getting it done!!! and thanks for watching

[@willfromfreeport]

Perfectly said on everything. I wish they would have allowed us to use bay parkway to utilize the other entrance in the morning until race start, and close it with transition at 7. That would solve the morning of traffic, besides people just arriving earlier (personal lesson learned lol). I'm very glad they shortened and not cancelled the swim even though I'm a terrible swimmer and just survived it. I had the same exact experience on the bike (81st overall on the bike while taking it very easy to have legs to run and be careful in the cinditions) with needing to pass on the right at times. At one point there was no one on the road in front of me except one rider in the far left. The tighter sections (shared northern section and all of bay pkwy) were much worse with needing to brake and freewheel with nowhere to pass. I tried to avoid the first puddle on the run and someone said to just enbrace it. Right they were lol. The run course was amazing discounting the weather lol. This was my first and at least for now last 70.3 since I'm very much not a swimmer, but i would definitely do the event again in a relay team. Can't beat racing at home!

[@GivinItATri]

thanks for watching and amazing bike split!!!!!!

[@willfromfreeport]

@@GivinItATri thank you!

[@CWaveRunnerR]

Great recap! It was my first Ironman 70.3. The weather was difficult but enjoyed the atmosphere and sharing it with all the athletes.

[@GivinItATri]

Glad you had a good time!!!! Maybe see you next year!

[@michaelfarella2990]

Great video!! I completed this race and I want to agree and send a tremendous THANK YOU to the amazing lifeguards. You are all amazing!! You did an amazing Job!! Thank you!! ❤

[@GivinItATri]

yes! Graitude is the best attitude! Thanks for watching

[@Twynmawrmom]

Just wanted to say your videos have helped me so much! I've been shopping for my 70.3 and I think I'm going to try to transfer my Maine registration to Jones Beach. I have family in Long Island so it sounds like if the weather is nice it will be spectator friendly. I am not a fan of a hilly bike so the more I hear about Maine the more I want to switch! I'm a strong swimmer so hopefully the conditions will be easier and I'll enjoy it for 2024.

[@GivinItATri]

If your a strong swimmer you will do awesome at this race, flat fast bike and run, and yes very spectator friendly, as well logistically sounds like its a great choice for you!

[@alexjohnson211]

I was technically born on Long Island, but we moved away when I was a baby. I'm still close enough that I just stayed on LI the night before the race and drove home the night of the race. So I just wanted to race a Ironman 70.3 race as close as possible to where I was born. First and foremost, the volunteers/staff/spectators were great, especially given the conditions!! That swim was brutal. I'm a very experienced tri swimmer and that was the hardest tri swim I've done in a long time. Thankfully there were no serious issues on the swim- they got lucky on that one, in part because the professional swim support was great. The bike was rainy and windy, but meh, it never crossed a point that I personally felt unsafe. The run sucked with the wind and the rain, but it's still just a run in the rain and the wind- that's totally doable. Nothing against the RD, but even with perfect weather, I would have been meh about racing that course again if I couldn't sleep in my own bed before it. And I still think that 70.3 Atlantic City had a better bike course, even with the lack of a totally closed highway!

[@GivinItATri]

interesting view points! thanks for commenting and sharing your experience! what was your favorite part of the AC bike course?

[@gracechristian-pp5zs]

Travelled in from NJ but UK originally so am used to wind and rain. It was my first time in long island..amazing. Thought your review was a very good and balanced reflection of the event- on all aspects, weather, course, etc. Maybe with exception of passing right! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[@GivinItATri]

Thanks! Yes hard to admit that one , but considering I am unsure of some of the athletes cycling abilities I didn’t want to force anyone into a dangerous lane change. Hope your time on Long Island was fun!

[@nandesaerosup114]

Great video! Doing this year my first 70.3 and this video answered many of the questions that I have before the race.

[@GivinItATri]

Awesome glad I can help!

[@GreggPollander]

Great, and inspiring, recap! Thanks! I’m planning 2024 race season, and have this event pencilled in. This was very informative! Thanks again!

[@GivinItATri]

awesome! see you out there!

[@mattbannantine9651]

I live in Florida and was contemplating this or Memphis and decided to go with Jones Beach because it was the inaugural race. Overall, even in hindsight with the weather, it was my favorite 70.3. I think the challenge of the weather actually pushed it over the top. I’ve done 2 full IM and this was my 6th half IM, even with the shortened swim course that was the toughest swim I have done. I would have liked to have done the entire swim but am completely ok with the shortened course for safety of all athletes. The winds on the bike were tough. I thought when we had the winds at our back and we were going faster it was a little more dangerous taking those crosswinds at speed. Probably a dozen times I felt the wind blow me around and I’m 225 pounds, probably 250 with my bike and all the gear. Couple issues on the bike, at the turnaround when we started heading south, the road got narrower. I called out on your left but I’m guessing somebody in front of me didn’t hear and pulled out right in front of me which forced me onto one of the grates in the left hand lane. I managed to hold on but that was scary. The guy did apologize to me as I passed him seconds later. On the second loop, close to home, I think I lost concentration for a brief second and my front wheel caught one of those grooves, again, luckily I was able to hold on. I loved the run as I love running in the rain. But the wind on the way back was brutal. All I could think as I started my second lap was how miserable everybody going the opposite direction was fighting that wind. But, I also had my best ever half marathon time during a 70.3. I would imagine it’s a blistering fast run course under normal conditions. The area was great, I got to visit some friends in Brooklyn. I went to the Yankees game, Times Square and saw a show on Sunday, can’t really do that at most venues. Things I would change, and these are petty things, put a carpet down in transition, spray paint those water drainage grates for visibility, and keep the cookies but get some better finish line food.

[@GivinItATri]

Awesome recap of your time up here! Truly appreciate you dropping some comments about your experience here. I definetly think its one of the fastest Run courses!

[@MrShanebizzle]

Great video man thanks!!

[@Michael_Formica]

Well said! Couldn’t agree more with all of these points.

[@GivinItATri]

Thanks for tuning in!!!!

[@MrShanebizzle]

How was it running on the boardwalk, as in for the feet and ankles? Traction? Any issues with that?

[@GivinItATri]

Honestly it wasn’t bad at all. It’s not all boardwalk which is nice. Even with the rain the boardwalk wasn’t bad at all, helps with the draining when it rains!

[@ricviveo8]

Hi men, Great video. Do you know if people can swim in the swim area, one o two days before the competition ? Thanks.

[@GivinItATri]

There was a practice swim the day before, there is also a very similar bay open for swimming a few miles down the shore during the season

[@jonbesalo546]

Windy and rainy like a hell! Never expect different weather for September in NY. As a first opening race for NY it wasn’t cancelled but they only reduced swimming for same reason, it will not be cancelled. I had a good time with my son but will not come back there. Is a lot of more 70.3 safer and nicer around to add more complexity to this jones park event.

[@GivinItATri]

Thanks for the thoughts!!! Hope you have a great racing year!

[@janmig2]

Great recap, thanks! You made me signed up for next year! Im from central Jersey, can we join your group next year on any training events leading to this race?

[@GivinItATri]

check out www.landsharkendruance.com ! so many athletes training everyweekend all summer for the race

[@syrwxman]

What were your times? Well done. Hard day. My swim stunk. Crazy even for a seasoned swimmer. Bike was ok. Even with disc and deep front wheel. Glad I choose. Run was really bad. Along with my transition times. A great race in horrible weather. Wish I could race it next year but doing maryland. That course will be very fast on a nice day

[@GivinItATri]

so humbling hearing all these experienced swimmers saying the swim was tough! anyone who made it out was a true champ! I forgot to mention my times in the video as i didnt really have goals for the day once the weather turned sour. S - 19:41 B - 2:34:09 R-1:34:21

[@erichayden5635]

Great event. Great day great race field. I thought all things considering it was an awesome day. Every true long islander secretly loves a hurricane. Some like them so much they do a 70 mile race in it. Eat your heart out Billy Joel.

[@GivinItATri]

Hahaha Facts!

[@COMERCIACORSAS]

Hi men very good video, Where can I buy wetsuits in NY area that you recommend. thanks

[@GivinItATri]

tough, one of our local tri stores closed last year, most brands offer great return policies!

[@callahanfit]

It was tough to finish this race given the elements. Swimming was the easiest given the water temps. Bike I have never been that cold for that long. Some of the wind gusts between Jones Beach and Cedar Creek Park were very strong heading north especially later on in your 2nd loop. At mile 53 on the bike, my chain snapped but luckily the tailwind was so strong I was able to coast for .5 mile, then jogged the bike in. Run killed me heading east and the puddles on the course soaked my shoes by the first 100m. Congrats to all finishers and apologies to the 40% of DNS/DNF who underestimated the training required for this type of event.

[@GivinItATri]

Wow! Great story! Way the persevere! That’s a true , I’m down but not giving up moment!!!! Congrats

[@ejquezad]

Glad I didn't do this race this year. I was going to register because of it being a fast course and wanted to PR but that wouldn't have happened. Next year.

[@GivinItATri]

I have faith next year will be a gorgeous PR day!