Endure It! @ Ironman Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Ironman Wisconsin is a club favorite every September. This year Endure It! is sending up a great group of athletes, from Ironman veterans to first timers. Even if you're not racing hop on the Endure It! caravan to "Madtown". If you've never seen an Ironman this is the closest one to Chicagoland. Or perhaps you're considering signing up for next year, there are still volunteer positions available on the IMWI website (volunteering guarantees you a slot for 2014 (Ironman Wisconsin sells out in a matter of minutes).
Spectating
Swim - Your best bet to watch the swim is from Monona Terrace, get there early to grab a front row spot on the helix (spiral parking garage ramp). People will be 3 or 4 deep, so if you don't get there early make sure you're tall. Athletes will run up the helix, through a sea of spectators on their way to T1 (swim to bike transition), creating an Alpe D'Huez like atmosphere! You'll also have a decent view of the swim from the shore, ground level south of the terrace.
Bike - Endure It! camp will be set up on the hill per usual. We will be out in full force with tents, coolers, food, drinks, chairs, costumes, you name it. This is probably the most brutal of all the climbs on the course. The hill is located on Old Sauk Pass Road. Directions to the hill are listed below.
Run - The Run course makes two loops through downtown Madison. 9-17 hours of cheering isn't easy either. This is the perfect opportunity to grab lunch or a beer at one of the restaurants or bars on the run course. Many have outdoor or sidewalk seating. If you plan on spectating around dinner time make sure you make your reservation the night before.
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Directions to our location on Sauk pass are as follows.
- I-88 W toward Aurora
- Take the exit onto I-39N/US-51 N toward Rockford
- Keep right at the fork, follow signs for I-39N/US-20E/Wisconsin-
Belvidere Rockford and merge onto I-39 N/US-20E - Continue to follow I-39N
- Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Interstate 90 W/Interstate 39N and merge onto I-39N/I-90W
- Take exit 142A on the left to merge onto US-12W/US-18 W toward Madison
- Take exit 251A toward Spring Green/La Crosse
- Turn right onto US-14 W/University AVe
- Continue to follow US-14W
- Turn left onto Cleveland Rd.
- Cleveland dead ends at the top of a monster hill. Park anywhere along that hill, there will be a lot of other people parking there as well. After you park, walk to the top of the hill and take a right on Old Sauk Pass (you can only go right or left). You'll walk to the top of the hill where the endure it! tent will be set up.
- If you are going to watch the swim and will be leaving from downtown Madison - just make your way to University Drive and head west out of town.
