Ironman Craps on Its Brand with Lake Stevens 70.3
Recently Jason and a number of my triathlon teammates raced Ironman Lake Stevens 70.3. I had been training for the race but decided at the last minute not to do it because I had traveled to San Francisco, Napa Valley and San Jose the week before and had too much booze and horrible food sloshing around my system to feel prepared to tackle a half Ironman. Nonetheless, I watched the race anyway to cheer on my friends and the BFG. A word of advice to any triathletes out there reading this: if you’re thinking of racing Ironman Lake Stevens, don’t.
First of all, Lake Stevens sucks. If Washington state had a hillbilly cousin, Lake Stevens would be that hillbilly cousin’s poo-crusted butthole. It’s such a crappy town that the only thing the official Ironman race catalogs can advertise about the area is that it has a Buzz Inn Steakhouse, which looks about as classy as the bar where Jodie Foster got raped in The Accused.
Her haircut is still considered trendy in Lake Stevens
The town literally consists of this skeezy restaurant, a Subway, a crappy foodmart, a burger shack, and, inexplicably, a town museum (maybe they wanted to commemorate the day they scored a Subway franchise). To answer your next question, no, there are no hotels in Lake Stevens, so if you’re thinking of flying in to do this race then lucky you, you get to stay in Everett or a neighboring city. (And no, Seattle is not “twenty minutes away,” as I heard one race official tell someone over the phone; it’s more like 50 minutes.)
Secondly, the “lake” part of Lake Stevens is filthy. It smells terrible and is full of garbage. When Jason swam in it the day before the race, he said the bottom of the lake was littered with beer cans and junk. Teresa said she spotted a chair during her swim. Jason and his dad once saw a half-submerged mattress in the lake after they finished a bike ride, and I had the pleasure of experiencing an obese kid with a rat tail throwing firecrackers into the lake as I was standing in it for a post-workout ice bath.
This is a form of child abuse, people!
This lake is the town’s urinal — they don’t give a crap about it and they certainly don’t take care of it, so excuse me for not wanting to pay a couple hundred dollars to do a race that involves swimming in it for 1.2 miles.
Thirdly, the bike course is horrible. It’s two loops and is a challenge for sure, with a few tough hills, a lot of false flats, and many twists and turns. However, what I hate most about the course is that the town’s inhabitants are so mean and inconsiderate to cyclists that it makes for a stressful, miserable ride. Every time I’ve ridden the course I’ve had some redneck in a Ford F-150 angrily honk at me as he passes me at 50 mph. And surprise surprise, Ironman didn’t close off the course during the actual race so my friends said they kept getting passed by jerks in cars who would angrily swerve and honk at all of the cyclists who were racing. Jesus Christ, this race is one day out of the year — you’d think that these a-holes could show some courtesy and put up with a few hours of inconvenience, but no, they’ve gotta get to Walmart or a monster truck rally or a Larry the Cable Guy viewing party or wherever the hell they’re rushing to.
And yes, this is the type of place that would likely have drivers who buy “truck balls” for their vehicles
The cherry on top of this turd sundae was the expo hall for the race. Race organizers had the expo hall in Everett, because, as I’ve already mentioned, there is nothing in Lake Stevens. Fun fact: Everett has an events center. Logically, you would think that the packet pickup, race briefing and expo hall would be at the events center or somewhere similarly sized…and you’d be wrong. Apparently the organizers decided that they wanted the expo hall to match the ghettoness of the actual race itself, so they held it in a Holiday Inn that was simultaneously hosting a Cash for Gold trade show. The lobby was a mess of athletes running into old, obese people who stank of ashtrays and were trying to turn in their gold brooches for fifty bucks.
Typical Cash for Gold customer at the hotel
Organizationally, the expo hall was a disaster. There were nearly 900 people signed up for the race, and the organizers were forcing each athlete to attend a mandatory meeting before they were allowed to pick up their race packet. There were four meeting times, one of which was reserved for the elite triathletes. The meeting room held about one hundred people. You do the math: clearly, not everyone is going to be able to squeeze into the room for the meeting. Did they think about this obvious logistical nightmare?
No, of course not; instead, they had some pissy volunteer with a beer gut and a 70′ porn ’stache angrily turning away athletes at the door when they tried to squeeze in and attend the meeting, sighing as if it was a huge personal burden. “Jesus Christ,” he’d whine, “There’s no more room. You have to come back in an hour” before shutting the door in their faces. Fuck that guy — the whole point of a volunteer is to make the athletes as comfortable and as prepared as possible. When you’ve got volunteers being rude to the racers, they’re creating a hostile and unwelcoming environment. Racing that distance is stressful enough as it is — you don’t need a poor man’s Burt Reynolds with a power trip barking at you and telling you what to do.
“Go away, we’re full.”
Speaking of the “mandatory meeting,” that is the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard. I’ve done three half Ironman races and I’ve never been forced to go to an athlete meeting before picking up my packet. There is nothing unique about the Lake Stevens race to where athletes have to be subjected to hearing someone drone on for forty minutes about the course and the token safety information. Oh really, the swim starts here and ends here, and the bike is a two-loop course, and the run is ALSO a two loop course? Wow, I haven’t heard that information since I read it on the goddamn website! Thanks so much for rehashing this for me! Seriously, offer the meeting to people who are nervous and haven’t done a race of this caliber before, but let the veterans and pros skip it — that’s what waivers are for, people.
I honestly have never seen a race this ghetto, unprofessional, cheap or poorly organized — not a half distance, an Olympic, a sprint, or any running races. There’s no way this race is worth a $225 sign up fee. My advice to anyone who’s not raced Lake Stevens before and is considering it — skip it. And to the Ironman race organizers, my advice to you is to either lower the registration fee by $100 or move the race altogether. Lake Stevens is a shithole that doesn’t respect athletes or take care of the course. Washington has better locations for a half Ironman. If the organizers want to maintain the prestige and value of the Ironman brand, I suggest they do something to improve the image of the Lake Stevens race.
August 28th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Someone should tell these people the chief of police in Lake Stevens said the race brought in over 1.5 million dollars for area businesses. Also, some jerk took down a woman on her bike.
“Unfortunately, one of the female triathletes was injured while on the 56-mile bike ride. A car struck her, knocking her to the ground and sending her to the hospital. The driver drove away and she was unable to finish this year’s event.”
http://www.lakestevensjournal.com/news/article.exm/2009-08-18_ironman_brings_thousands_to_lake_stevens
August 28th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I can’t believe the town makes that much money from the Ironman race and still treats the athletes like crap. And yes, that a-hole who hit the female needs to be brought to justice by someone who can then kick the race director in the (truck) balls.
August 29th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Thanks Rebecca!!! I didn’t say it but could agree with you on most all of what you said — just didn’t have quite the “intense” words to express it some of what went on in my head. I did send a certified letter to Ben Fertic, head of WTC, about my concerns about the race. I was one of those athletes stopped from completing the race (obviously erroneously) as somewhere somehow some even slower athletes were allowed to stay out there instead of being unjustly removed and their timing chips confiscated because of some arbitrary time cutoff that the directors claimed would not be.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Hey Theo!
I forgot to mention in my post how bullshit it was that they stopped some people from finishing but let others keep going. It was so inconsistent and poorly planned, and it was really disrespectful to the athletes. I’m glad you filed a complaint–hopefully they’ll make some vast improvements next year.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Hey everyone. I was passed this blog of sort because I am a triathlete and I live in Lake Stevens about 6 months out of the year. I can’t argue with your comments concerning the people of the town. I get it every time I ride! I’m not a small guy, so I of course stop my bike for an immature, old fashion pugilist encounter, to which the “tough rednecks” avoid and keep driving. I agree, the lake is crappy! After July 4th, every year, the lake turns to shit! When I heard it was being held in Aug this year, I chose not to ride it.
Several small business owners have tried to lobby for improvements stating, if you want people to come, if you want people to enjoy their stay and come back every year, we need more than a Subway!
As far as the bike course goes, it is a challenge. Close the roads and I think it is actually a great course. Did I say close the roads??
Long and the short of it people, you want to do a 1/2 Iron in the northwest, Hulaman in Oregon is building up since its insemination several years ago.(funny how that turd director put it on the same day this year) The same course hosts some national races already, the streets are built for riders and I have never ridden there and had someone yell at me.
Bottom line, Downtown Lake Stevens needs a revamping! The race director is a horses ass. (actually met him before for a lengthy discussion) And if the town wants to be a host to such an event, they DO need to make changes. I agree. I wish I could back up the town I live in more, but I can’t disagree with those comments above.
Last note, yes majority of the people suck, businesses are mostly crap, but I do stand 100% behind the local bike shop, his skills to fix, repair and quality of service (I saw him give a bike to a girl whose rear derailor stripped away from the bike the day before the race. Major repair work needed. Granted, he gave it to her for the race only, but no charge, fit her perfect to it and didn’t have her sign a thing. He just wanted to her get out and ride) I digress.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:04 am
Very well written Rebecca. Hopefully one of those turds comes across this post and reads about how their competitors really feel about their race. Or maybe they just don’t give a crap. Either way I’m sure this article will help many athletes not make the mistake of signing up.
September 1st, 2009 at 9:16 am
Hey Johnny,
Thanks so much for posting your comment! It’s great to hear your point of view, especially since you live in Lake Stevens. I do hope they make some positive changes to the area if the race is to stay in that location; otherwise, I say move it the hell outta there. :)
October 14th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
[...] town Subaru dealership is even called “The Ironman City Subaru.” After coming from the most redneck, anti-Ironman Ironman race I’d seen, Penticton felt like I’d died and gone to athlete [...]
October 27th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I’m sorry you don’t like this race, I would never deny you your opinion on that. In 7 years of racing I’ve found many races with horrible organization, bad venues, and less than welcoming locals, it’s just part of the sport. However, I have to say, I have never read a more classist, ignorant, and entitled piece of tripe in my life.
People like you are the reason that triathlon scares away anyone who isn’t thin, fit, and wealthy. This post makes you come across as a horrible little spoiled brat and you should be completely embarrassed for yourself.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
What about my blog and this post makes you think that I’m thin, fit and wealthy? The name “Mediocre Athlete” should give you an idea of how successful a triathlete I am, and I’m still paying off my bike that I bought last fall.
I don’t understand how I’m being ignorant by pointing out what countless people have said about how Lake Stevens was run and by how rude, hateful and uncaring the town is about the race. Besides, this is my blog and it’s my opinion. You’re entitled to your own sense of judgment and you clearly disagree, but obviously I’m not as embarrassed for myself as you think I should be, or I wouldn’t have written and published it in the first place. :)
October 27th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
“I have never read a more classist, ignorant, and entitled piece of tripe in my life.”
Wow. That seems like a bit of an overstatement.
Personally, I would be “completely embarrassed” to publish this type of hyperbole.
October 27th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
congrats on your new found wealth!
October 28th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Haha, thanks Beth! A round of gus on me!
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:30 am
Hi Rebecca, I recently moved to Lake Stevens. I came across your blog when I googled “Lake Stevens personal training.” Wow, you have a lot to say about the Ironman. I live near the lake and watched part of the race, seeing such amazing athletes doing what they do best was a privilege. I would suggest emailing some constructive criticism to the city and the organizers of the race. Personally I love living in Lake Stevens and am proud to call it my home. I am sad to hear that you didn’t have a good experience; hopefully by contacting the folks that run the Ironman some improvements can be made.
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:34 am
Hi Tiffani,
A lot of athletes posted negative reviews of the race on Active.com, so maybe the organizers will improve things next time around. I did hear a rumor that the contract won’t get renewed after next year because the Lake Stevens townspeople don’t want the race there, but I’m not sure how true it is. I wish more people like you lived in the area — you’re the type of spectator and support triathletes love to have. :)
November 27th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Wow!!! I am a young, going on 3rd yr, triathlete just starting to plan my 70.3s. I love Washington and was looking forward to doing this race!! Now its sounding like its a no-brainer….??
March 1st, 2010 at 11:12 am
Woh…I am SOOO glad I found your post about LS HIM. I’ve been contemplating doing this half for my 3rd big event for 2010 (37 Mile Ultra and CDA IM being the 1st two) and when I saw a few pictures of the event I was unimpressed. So today I decided to dig a little deeper and man oh man, there is NO WAY I’ll be doing it based on your review. It sounds HORRIBLE!
So I have a question: Last year two of my buddies and I did the Black Diamond HIM over in Enumclaw and although we had a good time, we experienced the same kinds of attitudes towards bikers during the race. And even at the pre-race meeting they warned us about the locals not wanting the event here in their neighborhood and even warned us to not tick anyone off while on the bike. Things like dropping food wrappers or bottles on the road can and has prompted buckets of cow or horse manure to be dumped on bicyclist during the race.
So…does this mean that biking is not welcomed on the west side of Washington in general or just in a few “hillbilly” locales?
Thanks again for your great article and I will be looking elsewhere for my end of year event…perhaps even in Cannada.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:16 am
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you for your post.
I live in Seattle, Washington and know many local triathletes who have completed Lake Stevens. They enjoy that the race is close by and has a challenging bike course, but that’s about it. Most of them talk about how they have to “suck it up” each year just to go to it.
It’s a pit. If WTC wants a 70.3 in the Pacific Northwest, there are MANY MANY other cities and towns that would be more than happy to host such an event. I just hope that WTC starts looking for another venue. Soon.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
I paid the entrance fee and am comitted to this race, I hope it isn’t as bad as they say it was. Hopefully the organizers took the negative comments into consideration and improved the race. If it is at all like they say it was this will be my only time racing this race. I signed up because its the closest to home if I could re-do my sign up i would change to Calgary or Boise. I went to the town it doesn’t have much but looked ok. Course is quite windy but not too bad when I drove it.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
@TriMoot — There are a lot of good cycling spots in the Washington area. Maybe it’s just, as you said, a few “hillbilly” areas that don’t take kindly to cyclists.
@Sabrina — Yeah, a lot of my friends do Lake Stevens every year simply because it’s the only local 70.3 available. I’m doing Boise again this year because despite the annoying afternoon start time, I still think it’s better run than Lake Stevens.
@Neil — I honestly hope the organizers took the criticisms into consideration and are making strides to improve the race. I’m personally not a fan of the course or the town, but the IM folks can still at least try to make the experience good by giving stellar service and organizing it well.
March 29th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
I signed up for Lake Stevens this summer. I think the biggest problem in these redneck areas is the driver – biker friction. I had a half-full tallboy tossed at me from a car passing at around 50mph when I was training out near Darrington. I expect more of the same at Lake Stevens unless they close the road to traffic, which would be the best solution. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for a half day race.
April 13th, 2010 at 10:05 am
I race Lake Stevens in 2009 and came away with mixed impressions. The Race Expo was pathetic, as was the schwag. For $200+ I want a frickin’ hat! I actually enjoyed the race itself, and the swim course was great with the underwater cable to follow. I had no problems with the bike or run courses. It would be nice to have the bike course closed to vehicle traffic.
I came and pre-rode the bike course in Spring 2009 and had one of the incidents that you speak of with the local redneck contingent. Some honking asshole in the prerequisite truck. To be fair though, I’ve had the same behavior here in Coeur d’Alene on the north part of the IM course. I think IQ and social skills have an inversely proportionate relationship to the distance from town.
Believe it or not, I’m back and racing Lake Stevens this year, without the pre-ride this time. The only reason I’m racing there is to support the Paralyzed Veterans of America (hooray for them!), so cheer for the 5 of us in PVA kits! Otherwise, no way I’d do this race again. I also left similar comments on the Active.com website.
April 29th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I just happened upon your website while searching for race reviews. My brother lives in Lake Stevens and I’ve visited him there several times. He’s different from the residents you describe but I’ve seen his neighbours and I’m not surprised that you saw what you saw! I love Seattle and I think Washington is beautiful so I’ve put the Lake Stevens 70.3 on my list of races to do – until now! I feel like you saved from a horrible race experience. I’ll visit my brother in Lake Stevens but no racing there for me!
April 29th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Hi Sarah! I’m happy to hear that your brother is an exception to the rule. Hopefully the Ironman organizers will improve the race or pick a better spot in Washington to host their 70.3. Good luck with whichever race you decide to do!
June 30th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
It’s amusing to read these comments as I did this race in it’s first year and vowed never again. It is as has been reported. Dirty swim, bike course that is difficult by virtue of traffic that is a real threat to your safety-no hyperbole here and an ok run course. Overall, it is a pathetic race from packet to finish. Food, a joke. I’ve done 17 Ironman races in the WTC organization and don’t know why this half is allowed to continue under their auspice. We do these races for enjoyment and accomplishment-we pay the huge entry fees based on the premise of safety and support-this race should fold up and never return. Trust me-GIVE IT A PASS AND SAVE YOUR MONEY AND PUT YOUR SAFETY FIRST!!!!!!
June 30th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Wow, 17 Ironman races and this one still sticks out in your mind as the worst? That says a lot — thanks for the feedback. I certainly hope they retool this course or just move it entirely.
July 25th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I did this race last year. It is only the second tri I have done, so I don’t have much to compare it to. I thought the swim was fine. The underwater cable was really helpful. I swam without a wetsuit and the temp was great. I did not think it was dirty, but maybe I was too scared to notice. haha
The bike was a harder course than I had expected, and I too was concerned by the traffic! I also would have liked more aid/water stations during the bike. The run section was fine. More support along the way would have helped. All together, if you are already in the area, I would not oppose this race as strongly as others have. However, because of the destination, it’s probably not the best race to travel to.