Ironman Texas Course Description

The last I heard, 1,508 Texans are signed up for Ironman Texas with over 100 from The Woodlands! As predicted, the race sold out in a matter of weeks.

There has been much speculation about the course. Here is what I have gathered from various discussions with people who are in the know.

The swim will be in Lake Woodlands starting at Northshore Park and ending at Town Green Park. The point to point swim will take athletes down the west side of the lake and then back up the easy side before entering the Waterway.

There will be a short, fairly steep uphill run leading from the swim exit to the transition in Town Green Park (located between the library and the Cynthia Woods Pavilion). The transition is close to the center of The Woodlands shopping and dining area so plenty to do for friends and family.

The bike route will head west out of The Woodlands via Lake Woodlands or Woodlands Parkway (both are 4 to 6 lane roads with shoulders) before heading north on FM2978. FM 2978 is a 4 lanes road with wide shoulders until crossing FM1488 where is becomes a lightly traveled 2 lane road with a smaller (3 feet) shoulder. The road turns into Fish Creek Thoroughfare. Riders will turn left and head west on FM2854, a moderately busy two lane road, before crossing a major 4 lane road (SH105) and continuing around the north side of the town of Montgomery (the loop is called Lone Star Parkway) before turning right right and heading north on FM149. At this point, cyclists will encounter a steady diet of rolling hills until reaching Bethel Rd/FM1791 where they turn right and then left onto Tailaferro. Tailaferro turns into County Road 209. Riders will turn right onto Bays Chapel and head north for a few miles before making a u-turn and coming back down south to FM149 and then continuing the ride to Richards on FM149. All roads up to this point are in excellent condition and local cyclists use them on a regular basis (with the exception of Tailaferro and Bays Chapel). FM149 is also shaded for most of it's length as it goes through the Sam Houston National Forest. Bethel Road, Tailaferro, CO Road 209 and Bays Chapel are also shaded.

Upon reaching the small hamlet of Richards, riders will turn south on FM1486, another lightly traveled rolling road with a tar and chip surface. The route will cross SH105 again at Dobbin and then turn south on Jackson Road a few miles south of SH105. After several miles, Jackson Road merges with FM149 which riders stay on until they hit FM1488. From here, the route will most likely turn left onto FM1488 and then make a quick right onto Spur 149 Road. Less than a mile later, a left hand turn will take riders onto Dobbin Hufsmith Road (locally called the "Dog Loop" by cyclists and triathletes for reasons that no longer apply). This is a narrow road with no shoulders but in good condition and is fairly lightly traveled. Dobbin Hufsmith intersects at FM2978 where riders will turn left and head back up to Woodlands Parkway where they will enter The Woodlands and head for T2.

The run will consist of 3 loops taking in a good portion of the Waterway and looping around Lake Woodlands. The run will traverse both sides of the Waterway and afford spectators ample locations for catching the action. Personally, I would book an outside table along the Waterway at the Goose's Acre where you can get great food and plenty of drink. The run will proceed counterclockwise around Lake Woodlands via Grogans Mill, Lake Woodlands Dr., E. Panther Creek and Woodlands Parkway before entering the upscale neighborhood of East Shore for a lakeside tour of it's large houses and townhomes. The back onto the Waterway for an out and back before heading around the lake again. The run course will be very flat and shaded in many areas. It will be on wide pathways and some roads.

The finish is slated to be in Market Street, The Woodlands premier shopping, dining and entertainment venue. For those lucky enough to book a room at the swank Avia Hotel, you will be literally steps away from the finish line. Market Street is also directly across the street from the transition area.

This is a spectator friendly course. The swim start will be visible from Northshore Park and the Lake Woodlands bridge. Mobile spectators can quickly bike to the south side of the lake to see the turn before heading over to the Waterway where the last 800 to 1200m will be in a canal that has sidewalks on either side. Spectators that want to get out to the bike course can but there will be limited parking and viewing areas. The run course will be great for viewing as stated. Great spots all along the Waterway and it's a short walk over to East Shore if you want to get away from the crowds.

I will get some pictures of the course and start posting them on this site.

For out of towners, please feel free to contact me and I would be glad to answer any questions you may have about the course or local area. Our weekend rides and runs take in most of the Ironman course.