Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas is no exception. Welcome to The Big Show, where dreams are tested, limits are shattered, and the spirit of the Lone Star State is unbreakable. From the moment you arrive in The Woodlands to the final steps down the red carpet, …
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Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas is no exception. Welcome to The Big Show, where dreams are tested, limits are shattered, and the spirit of the Lone Star State is unbreakable. From the moment you arrive in The Woodlands to the final steps down the red carpet, this isn’t just a race – it’s a showcase of ultimate human strength and determination, Texan pride, and epic triumph.
This is the proving ground where world-class athletes and first-timers alike race on one of the most iconic courses in North America. Feel the excitement on the spectator-lined swim, earn a PR as you race the Hardy, and embrace the Lone Star spirit on the unforgettable, award-winning run course featuring the magic of Hippie Hollow. You have to see it to believe it. Everything’s bigger… race day, finish line, and beyond.
Athletes will start their journey in The Woodlands with a 2.4-mile, spectator-lined lake swim, cruise at their own volition for a 112-mile ride on mostly closed roads, and embrace the Texas faithful on one of the most spirited 26.2-mile runs in North America. Come see what you’re made of at the North American Championship. Come and Take it.
This is Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas. This is The Big Show.
Swim: LAKE
Bike: FLAT
Run: ROLLING
Avg Air Temp: 72° F / 22° C
Avg Water Temp: 73° F / 23° C
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World Champs Vibes
This was a huge event, packed with pros (100, anyone who ever who anything was there) and the organizers turned this into a "world champs of Texas" which really gave … MORE
This was a huge event, packed with pros (100, anyone who ever who anything was there) and the organizers turned this into a “world champs of Texas” which really gave unique vibes (clapping, fireworks, dj, finish chute with live stream, etc). Lots of age groupers as well (3000), with a mix of multi IMers and noobs like me.
Pre-race requires some logistics as you need ot pick up your packet by 11 on Friday (Wednesday afternoon and Thursday were also pick up days) and drop off your bike and transition bags by 4 on Friday. It kinda forces you to take it easy on race week though, so not that bad.
The swim is in Lake Woodlands, which is brown and smells like a mix of duck and engine oil. It is a straight back and forth with a lot of buoys so great visibility, before turning into the shallow canal for the last third. My only complaint is that the wetsuit optional swimmers had to go after everyone, which defeated the purpose of having self-seeding pace groups, so if you selected not to wear a wetsuit you ended up being swam over by the fast wetsuits.
The bike course is in the Woodlands for the first 20 miles, which is scenic, then it’s two 40miles loops on the Hardy Tollroad (spoiler: it is a lot of overpasses so you have a lot of hills to go through). No scenery at all except just before the turn when you have a nice view of the Downtown Houston skyline. A lot of aid stations with a lot of volunteers, unfortunately they don’t necessarily clean the area so littered water bottles are everywhere and with the wind end up creating a minefield here. Being a slow swimmer, I ended up taking the storm on the bike: lots of wind and rain, making for very unsafe downhills. Another unsafe point was the semi-official pelotons. With 3000 athletes and 2 loops you are bond to have dense areas where strict “no draft” rules are not followed, but when you end up having packs of 50 riders passing everyone from both sides (because why not use the lane dedicated to emergency vehicle when lapping others?), and none of these guys end up receiving at least a penalty while they should be DQed in mass, it is frustrating – and unsafe.
T2 was great as you actually had volunteers taking your bike for you and bringing it back to your spot, and the run course was great: lots of aid stations, very scenic, spectators packed, and of course Hippie Hollow!
Some of their lights work ended up not working so that third loop at night was partially in the dark (and the rain and the cold) but that 10pm energy on the finish chute was wonderful.
After the line is crossed though, it is a bit everyone for themselves. There is no indication on how to go back to transition and volunteers didn’t even know. Once in transition there is no indication on how to go back to the parking lots that are specified on the athlete guide, and if you parked at Methodist you end up walking in the dark and on the (now open) road since there is no sidewalk. That part was a bit lacking, especially since a couple signs don’t cost much.
Super tough Bike ride
This was my second Ironman-- the walk to the start was over a mile, the swim was nice and had nice end to the swim/ transition to the bike. The … MORE
This was my second Ironman– the walk to the start was over a mile, the swim was nice and had nice end to the swim/ transition to the bike. The bike ride was pure Hell. The out and back on a unshaded interstate and having to do it twice was the hardest bike ride in my life. I was utterly exhausted for the run and ha day worse marathon of my life. Having said that, I did not die, but would never do this race again.
Got To Love Texas Weather
Doing Ironman Texas you just never know what you'll get. We've had an unusually cool spring and training has been great. BUT it warmed up quickly this year on the … MORE
Doing Ironman Texas you just never know what you’ll get. We’ve had an unusually cool spring and training has been great. BUT it warmed up quickly this year on the bike and run course. It’s my favorite run course with so much support, but doing an Ironman is always a long tough day!
It's an Ironman
Ironman knows how to do a race. Well done! The medals and caps are beautiful. The shirts are average. The much lauded backpacks were less than expected. However, I'll still … MORE
Ironman knows how to do a race. Well done! The medals and caps are beautiful. The shirts are average. The much lauded backpacks were less than expected. However, I’ll still carry mine proudly.
The wind on the bike was rough and it was frustrating to see large packs of riders blantantly ignoring drafting rules. I heard, thought I can’t confirm, the reason for less officiating on the bike course was because riders were not staying in the middle lane. This is something that could have been covered in athlete briefing. It does feel strange to be told to ride in the middle lane. If this was ge plan, athlete briefing could have emphasized this more, rather than, be sure to ride to the right. Still, not a big deal, the wind was hard for most but the course was enjoyable and if I do the race again, I’d gladly ride the bike course again.
My only complaint about the whole event was the early closure of run special needs. There is a run cutoff, but special needs closes before it. So, I had to either access my items earlier than I needed or risk losing them. I have no problems with the special needs closing at a specific time, but to have the run cutoff almost an hour after special needs closes seems to be out of sync with each other.
It was a great event and a race I’m still beaming about. Although during the final lap of the run I assured my husband that “we’re never doing this again”. I’ll be back, probably in 2019.
A long Day so have fun!
It's Texas so you never know what the weather will be. From hot, to windy, to rain, to hail, to cold this year we had it all. However, the run … MORE
It’s Texas so you never know what the weather will be. From hot, to windy, to rain, to hail, to cold this year we had it all. However, the run course at IMTX is an amazing one! The waterway is lined with cheers and supports and I smiled the entire race!
Good for a first Ironman
I'm from Austin, and this race was on my birthday, so it was a natural choice for my first Ironman. The swim is fine- it's not crystal clear water because … MORE
I’m from Austin, and this race was on my birthday, so it was a natural choice for my first Ironman.
The swim is fine- it’s not crystal clear water because it’s in East Texas and that doesn’t exist, but it’s not gross. The course is easy to follow, and although the channel does get choppy, it’s really fun to see your friends cheering you on so close during a swim- very unique for a race.
The transition area is easy- you run in from the swim, grab your bag on the way, and go straight to the tent. If T1 is muddy when you drop your bike off, bring some plastic bags to slip over your cycling shoes before going to your bike, so you can skip the hose/kiddie pool lines and get going.
The bike course first half is flat and fun- I cruised along at an awesome pace with lower effort than expected. It was warm, but not ridiculous. I stopped at special needs for a sandwich and proceeded to the second half of the course which was WINDY and MUCH warmer (hey, the sun rises!)
The course is NOT super hilly unless you come from a perfectly flat area. There are definitely hills to climb, but nothing that will make you want to die, except when the wind blows approximately one billion miles an hour in your face. BUT, this is Ironman. It’s not going to be easy.
The tent area was awesome after the bike- plenty of ice and ice water to help cool me off. (Thanks, volunteers!) The run course is a three-loop course, which has pluses and minuses. The good thing is that except for the very back end of it, there’s plenty of crowd support to keep you going, especially in the waterway- you can’t get away with walking there, too much energy going on! The bad is that when you get to the last loop, you know exactly how far you still have to go and the long little out and backs seem to go on forever!
The finish line is amazing, especially after dark. The swag is fair enough- a great backpack I use all the time, a hat that was only sort of ugly, and a nice, quality shirt. If you’re debating- buy the finisher jacket. I wear mine seriously all the time. You can wait for it to go on sale on line if you need to, but to me that was worth every penny.
There are PLENTY of hotels in the area and getting to the race that morning and parking near the mall was no problem, so save money and stay at a cheaper hotel. Ours was the Drurey a mile away and it was perfect with free breakfasts AND free dinner AND free drinks! I’d definitely stay there again.
The Woodlands community comes out and supports the race in force, but some of the surrounding areas that are more rural hate it, so be a good ambassador of the sport and follow ALL road laws when pre-riding and running to help change that attitude. (In the end, haters gonna hate, so it’s whatever, but it helps if you do your part!)
It was stinkin’ hot, even for this Texan, and my time wasn’t what I wanted, but it was worth it.
Much better the second time around
Weather was much more favorable. Same swim course issues (shallow water) but no issues with heat on the run course. Carpets were laid out to prevent the burns of the … MORE
Weather was much more favorable. Same swim course issues (shallow water) but no issues with heat on the run course. Carpets were laid out to prevent the burns of the previous year.
Kona spot claiming can be much more efficient that this was.
Race wasn't ready for the heat
Swim course can be very shallow if you aren't near the middle of the canal. Still one of my favorite bike courses, windy but fairly flat. Good downhill into the … MORE
Swim course can be very shallow if you aren’t near the middle of the canal.
Still one of my favorite bike courses, windy but fairly flat. Good downhill into the finish.
Tarmac at transition resulted in sever burns on the feet of many racers. Spent the entire run trying to hobble through the massive blisters that were on the balls of my feet. If the weather is at all hot do not put your bare feet anywhere without a carpet (carpets were laid out the following year)