The White Lake Half Ironman is a great event that a number of ActivEdge’s elite triathletes competed in this May. Although the triathletes could not complete the swim portion, due to fog causing a safety hazard, they were still able to blaze through the bike and the run. The course is as described below
Course Description:
Swim:
The basic reason that both White Lake races (the Half and the Sprint) have become so popular over the years is the lake itself. White Lake is one of the finest lakes you will ever have the pleasure to swim in – a perfect oval, two miles long and one mile across. The lake which is fed by subterranean springs is crystal clear with a sand bottom – about nine feet deep out in the very middle. Most mornings, White Lake is so perfectly flat, you’d swear you were looking at a sheet of ice. This is an in-water start with participants lining up with the end of the two piers/docks at the NCFFA Center. The swim course is a triangular shaped course. Participants exit the water at the end of the easternmost pier/dock and run about 300 yards to the transition area. The water temperature at White Lake is usually very close to the USAT threshold temperature of 78 degrees. Check out the USA Triathlon wetsuit rules if you’re not familiar with them – the rules can be found on the following link.
Bike:
The bike course is a 56 mile loop featuring minimum turns. The course is about as flat as a course can possibly be, and is open to vehicular traffic. Having said that, White Lake is in a very rural part of North Carolina, so vehicular traffic on race day will be minimal. Road surfaces are very good. The first long stretch on Hwy 41 and the longest segment of the course down Hwy 210 are on excellent and very smooth surfaces. The long stretch coming back to the FFA Center along Hwy 53 isn’t as good, but it’s still not bad.
Run Course:
The run course is a “out & back” design.
The course is flat, features a fair amount of shading, but also some long stretches without shade. If the temperature is warm/hot, we suggest you take advantage of all the aid stations. This race has a well deserved reputation for being a “heatfest”. The course is on the bike lane along Hwy 701 the bike lane along Hwy 53.
ActivEdge had five triathletes compete in this event, with four of them being exempt from the swim. The male contestants where Brian Diaz (4:39:12), David Olson (4:53:54), and Tom Duhling (5:40:56). Morven Ross, who finished 3rd in her age group and 25th overall, came in with a time of 4:49:34, while Jenn Renn (who did the swim), came in 12th in her age group with a time of 6:17:26.
Congratulations to all the triathletes in this event, especially the girls who placed so well!