Ironman Texas and Waco, Jailbreak 100, Brazos Bend tragedy
IMTexas announces deferral plan, full IronMan Waco announced. IMTexas70.3, Prison City gravel, Gran Fondo Texas is coming up.
Pour one out for the Ironman athletes who are starting their third year of training for Ironman Texas. There’s a pretty good shot they’ll actually get to race this time around. At least that’s what we’re all banking on.
In announcing the deferrals for IronMan Texas, WTC dropped in an Easter Egg, Ironman Waco is going to include a full version this year, not just for IMTX refugees.
Here’s the e-mail from Ironman.
That’s a lot of options for you to choose from and seems like they arrived on a fair resolution to a completely unfair situation for everyone. The response on social media seemed predictably mixed, but generally satisfied. Or at least resignation to diving into training again.
The Easter Egg snuck in there is the announcement that there will be a full Ironman Waco in 2021 and presumably moving forward. Be sure to get reservations early for hotels and any Chip and JoJo locations you can.
KCEN in Waco has a write up on IMWaco:
“The inaugural IRONMAN will take place Saturday, October 23 and will be followed by the IRONMAN 70.3 the following day, making for a racing festival weekend, organizers said. “
Quite interested in the course and hoping it’s not four loops of that tough run.
Hotter’n Hell 100 sign-ups open
After going virtual last year, which organizers say was an unintentional success, the team at this Texas classic welcomes a return to real life.
A terrific story from Brett Vetter at TexOmasHomepage.com gives some background on the race. Paper plates for bibs is an OG move.
Register at the HH100 website.
Gran Fondo Texas coming up
Another long-standing race, the Gran Fondo which takes riders through a lot of familiar territory if you ride around the old IronMan Texas route up around Richards and through the Sam Houston National Forest.
The ride starts from Montgomery High School Football stadium in Montgomery, TX and the routes are 31, 67 or 88 miles. Wheels down at 7:30 am, Sunday, April 18.
It’s the 10th edition of the Gran Fondo and they have very sweet kits set up for it. There’s also a really nice video of people wearing the kits and riding on what sure looks like some of the course.
Register for the race here, click here for more information.
Jailbreak 100 gravel grinder coming up
The Jailbreak 100 is back and set for April 24. A terrific race hosted by one of the coolest local bike shops in the state, Race Ready Repair. Gravel grinder fans really need to check this one out. It’s 100 miles through the piney woods in the Sam Houston National Forest around Huntsville. More than worth the $60 to get out there. UPDATE: While the race is sold out, Race Ready Repair is having a “Second Chance Reg Day on April 17. Here’s the details:
SECOND CHANCE REG DAY 4/17/2021 - For our AWESOME gravel lovers that were unable to register between 12/18/2020 and 4/4/2021 and are still wanting to join the fun - We will have ONE opportunity for late registration. Spots will be limited to the first 40 people in person to sign waiver/pay late entry fee ($70). You will also be able to pick up your packet at the time of registration. Unfortunately we will not have an event t-shirt for our late reg's. We love that more and more folks are wanting to join the gravelution and we hope you all understand how much goes into having an organized and safe event. The SECOND CHANCES DAY will be the ONLY additional opportunity to join 2021 Jailbreak 100.
Packet Pick-Up & LIMITED Late Reg
4/17/2021 @ 11:00am until they are gone
Race Ready Repair Bicycle Shop
206 N. Main Street Conroe 77301
Trail Running news
TROT’s Brazos Bend 50 was the big race this past weekend. Moved to 7IL Ranch in Cat Springs, home to a few different trail and MTB races it was quite a bit different than the flat, smooth gravel of Brazos Bend State Park. While free of the much-loved alligators, participants had a lot of sand and cattle to add drama to the race. Reports from participants made it sounds like another excellent edition of this classic.
Some sad news to report. A participant in the event suffered a cardiac event on the trail and subsequently passed away. From TROT: “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family of Ted Brown, a beloved member of our TROT family, who passed away after suffering from cardiac arrest while running Brazos Bend 50. We will post more details on what his family might (be) doing so we can help.
May he rest in peace. “
Results are posted here via UltraSignUp.com.
Tejas Trails’ Hells Hills race was also this past weekend with Breanne Thibodeaux taking the overall win in 10:06 and Dean Steele bringing home the win for the men in 10:34. Tejas Trails is celebrating 20 years of racing by offering 20% off a number of the races if you register by April 19.
Ironman Texas 70.3
Oh yeah, there’s a little half Ironman going on in Galveston this weekend. While A LOT of people thought this race was cancelled because of the Ironman Texas Montgomery/Harris County fight over the bike course. Happily, Galveston County is outside that fray. The race will happen and so far, the weather is as April in Texas goes. That means we have no idea what’s going to happen, but don’t only bring a disc for the potentially windy Seawall ride.
The pro list for this race is always stacked and this year is no different. Currently set for the race are Matt Hanson, Lionel Sanders and brash new guy Sam Young. The women’s field is equally stacked with Heather Jackson, Sarah Crowley and speedy swimmer Lauren Brandon.
Road Running News
The Woodlands Marathon has been selected as a qualifying even for the 2023 Abbot World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championship, a global age group marathon ranking system.
“After our record-setting 2021 event where 96 runners finished in under three hours as part of 236 athletes who qualified for the 2021 or 2022 Boston Marathons, The Woodlands Marathon is honored to become an AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group Qualifying Event,” said race director Willie Fowlkes. It joins five of the longest-running marathons in Texas – Chevron Houston Marathon, BMW Dallas Marathon, Cowtown Marathon, Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and Ascension Seton Austin Marathon as a qualifying race.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world – Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon.
MEME OF THE WEEK
Credit- UltraRunningMemes
Excellent read!
Nice job!!!