← JTU Aizu Utsukushima - Olympic
Good race, fast course with the bike leg actually descending (although you do need to get off a couple times to cross the rail lines). The swim is in a lake, but think it was more like a 1.2km swim due to the water being so shallow that porpoising is necessary for the last 200-300 meters. Run takes place around the Aizu university grounds, all flat with a few grass sections, 2 lap run. Temperatures at that time of the year can be a real issue, especially with the JTU enforcing a wetsuit race, take a short sleeved one with you if you can. I found it a bit irresponsible from the organizers to also start the race late morning considering the heat and also waste time doing group warmup aerobic-class style exercises at the beach before the start. Surrounding hot spring resorts in the region are a great way to unwind.