Vineman Full
Windsor, CA
Official Website : http://www.vineman.com/triathlon.htm
Date : July 31, 2010
Race Type : Triathlon and Multisport
Race Distance : 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run
Race Description: The Full Vineman Triathlon is the oldest independent Ironman distance triathlon held in the continental United States. The experience which Vineman athletes have will be unmatched, as they swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles through beautiful Sonoma County's wine country.
In 1990 the Vineman was designed to be "the people’s ironman distance event" with an emphasis on making the average athlete’s experience of completing the classic distance the most enjoyable and personalized as possible. While the sport of triathlon has changed drastically over the past decade and a half, the soul of the Vineman remains the same.
1 Reviews for Vineman Full
I say yes I'd do this race again, contingent on many factors. Namely, would I be willing to train for another Ironman? If I would then I'd do it with Vineman for three reasons, the course is beautiful, it is a Bay Area Ironman (the ONLY one), and it is affordable for a race of this distance. Compare it to the cost of an Ironman North America event and this is a deal. Granted, the excitement of a "real" Ironman is completely unrivaled. Even if you don't want to race one, at least volunteer at the start once, you will get mad chills.
Vineman is the same course as the 70.3, Barb's Half, and Aquabike events. All four swim in the Russian River - for full you do two laps, two laps of the bike course, and THREE laps of the run. That is my only complaint, I wish they could spice up the run a bit more. Running in circles for 4-6 hours is a mental challenge. You actually have to run next to the finish chute twice and it makes you want to die when people are finishing and you still have either 18 or 9 miles to go. Agghhh! But at least you get to say hi to all your family and friends and see your bike and think "I am so damn glad I am not sitting on that bike anymore!"
All in all, killer event. I do love Vineman events, this one included. Oh I have to brag, the first time I did it I acutally got third in my age group and they had a nice awards ceremony the next day in Santa Rosa and I won a bottle of La Crema wine in a super nice wooden box that doubled as the award plaque... it still sits in my office. Awww. haha