The Half CaliMan, run on September 17, 2005 together with the iron distance CaliMan, proved to be a special race in a number of ways:

This race is a mix of half and full ironman racers. There were about 300 Half Iron distance racers and about 130 Iron distance racers. This race is unique in that the half distance racers are treated the same as the full iron competitors. There is a mass start of everyone in the Sacramento River. The water was about 70 degrees so you who don't like the cold ocean have no worries here. It's either once or twice around the course, depending on your race. When you exit the water and climb a short incline, there are volunteers to strip off your wetsuit! Ever have that in a half Ironman race? Not me. It was great. There's a changing tent right there and the volunteers hand you your bike stuff! Change or not, you go to the bike and out.

The bike course is very flat. The biggest hill in the first 34 miles is a freeway overpass. There is a small hill at the end of Lake Solano where the course turns back towards Davis. There is more climbing on Alpine Road from Foothill to Portola so it's no climbing at all. There are well stocked aid stations about every 10 miles. The bike course is not visually interesting but it is fast. Learn to use your aero bars. There can be some wind and some heat as well.

The bike course ends in Davis at T2 which is different from T1. Again, there are many volunteers. They take your bike. You don't have to rack it. They hand you your run stuff and direct you into the changing tent where there are chairs, food, water, just like an Ironman (well, for some, it is an Ironman). Then it's out on the run.

The run course makes up for the boring bike ride. The first two miles are nothing special along Russell Avenue west out of town. Then it turns south on dirt roads and paved roads with no traffic. The course enters the UC Davis Arboretum at about mile 4 and passes along a creek for about three miles. There is a succession of displays of plant life from various areas, the Sierra foothills, Redwoods, Australia. Best of all, there are trees and shade! Then the course takes the runners into the east part of Davis along various bike paths that are not next to roads. No cars, no exhaust but more trees! Finally, at mile 10 the runners climb the one hill, a pedestrian freeway overpass, and finish the last three miles through Davis neighborhoods. This course is really beautiful. There's much more shade than ½ Vineman. The course is much softer than the hard concrete of Ralph's. The beauty almost distracted me from the increasing pain levels as I plodded through. Still, I ran the whole course!

The finish has the announcer and the vendor tents. There is massage for $1 per minute. Go as long as you want. As in all J&A Races, the food at the end was great, not some Costco tomato sauce slopped over lukewarm penne pasta like some other races. Small burritos were served and prepared as they were served! It tasted really good too.

J&A and Andy Robles should be congratulated on putting on a great race. It was well staffed, well supplied, well organized and very participant friendly. This is a great race for your first Half Ironman distance. The course is flat, the support is superb and, there are no cut off times! This is a combined half and full ironman race. Take as much time as you need in the half. The full Ironman race ends at midnight. There are no two hour waits for wave starts because everyone starts together. Most will finish the half before it gets really hot and there are lots of trees on the run course too.

Best of all, the awards go five deep as in all Ironman races so I made the podium in fifth place. First time! Larry Moberly was third in my age group so he was there too.

I encourage SVTC and everyone to support this race. There were only about 430 finishers. This race needs and deserves much more participation. For those of you who dread the cold Pacific of the Big Kahuna, this is a real alternative. Support J&A which provides so much in their races. They really stand out among race organizers as people who care about the participants.