Race Coverage

70.3 Omaha: My Overview...

Friday, 19 June 2026 00:10

Photo: Megan Ehlen and Ken Downer celebrate the end of a successful race. NOTE: This pic was uploaded before uploading photos became problematic.

By Kenneth Downer

Inaugural 70.3 Omaha Race Report - If you are looking for an Ironman-branded race near the Twin Cities, Omaha 70.3 is a good one.  The inaugural edition of this event was held last Sunday (June 7).  Despite a few hiccups that any new race is liable to have, this was a well-organized race on an honest course that may be worth adding to your race schedule.  Here is an overview of the new race in Omaha and the results of some of the Minnesota athletes who competed there.

One of the unique features of this race was its split transition configuration.  The swim takes place in Lake Cunningham fifteen miles northwest of the city, while the run starts in downtown Omaha.  This adds a layer of logistic complexity for both race organizers and athletes, but makes the most of the few available swim options, provides access to excellent cycling roads, and ends with a mostly flat, scenic run that is spectator-friendly.  To tackle organizing this challenge, Ironman tapped veteran race director Corey Roberts, who added strong communication skills and personal flair to the recipe to pull off a successful race....

On race morning, after final words of encouragement at the swim start, Corey led athletes in dancing the “Time Warp” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show before launching racers into the lake.  Swimmers entered the water three at a time off a spacious boat ramp to navigate the triangular, clockwise course.  With water temperature at 73.2oF most athletes seemed pleased that the swim was wetsuit-legal.  The first transition was on a grassy area close to the ramp, providing the opportunity for a fast change and hop onto the bike. 

The bike course begins by heading west for 21 miles.  Just as you reach an old-school drive-in movie theater complex out in the middle of nowhere, it doubles back to the lake, then bends southeast to finish by the Missouri River in downtown Omaha.  At 2,869 feet of elevation gain, the course was hillier than one might expect for a prairie state.  The first 17 miles are reminiscent of Ironman Wisconsin, with half- to one-and-a-half mile climbs.  The rollers give way to a pancake-flat section for the next 12.  Another 18 miles of hills follow, while the final seven miles is essentially a flat cruise into town.  The road surface for the first 47 miles is excellent, and the course was closed to cars, making for an enjoyable ride. The city streets near the finish pose the usual hazards of sewer covers, speed humps, and potholes, so it is good to stay alert as the ride nears transition.

T2 is laid out on grass exactly the same as T1, making it easy to rack your bike and start the run.  The two-loop course is like a flattened figure-eight, with one half on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River and the other in Iowa.  Much of the route follows the water, making for a scenic run, largely on paved or cement paths.  With a total elevation gain of 268 feet, the course is also flat, with the notable exception of the four river crossings over the iconic Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge at the center of the figure-eight.  It’s a half-mile 3% grind to the apex, but the cooling breeze provides some welcome relief from the heat, as well as excellent views.

The race was not without a few shortcomings.  The split transition and constricted conditions at the boat ramp meant the only way to the start is by event-provided shuttle bus for racers only.  Most athletes caught the shuttles at T2 in town and were dropped off at T1 at the lake on race morning, which seemed to work well.  The only way for spectators to get to the lake was by a second shuttle from North West Highschool, only 2.3 miles from the lake.  Unfortunately, there weren’t enough buses for the many, including athletes, who opted to get to the lake this way, causing some to arrive into transition at the last minute.  Parking at the race finish was also somewhat limited; ample overflow parking was available but over half a mile away, so it pays to be early.

Conditions on race day added to the challenge as the day wore on.  The water was flat for the swim, and southeast winds at 8-10mph made for mostly neutral crosswinds for riders.  Overcast skies with a few sprinkles kept the heat at bay but added to the humidity.  By the start of the bike, temperatures were already in the mid-70s and climbed to 79oF on the run.  Compounding the heat was the humidity, which hovered at 85% most of the day, making for a tough run. 

Though it was not a day for PRs, the race still turned out well for a number of Minnesotans.   Megan Ehlen snagged a 5th place podium spot in her debut 70.3, veteran racer Jeff Warshaw took third in his age group, Vinny Pallini took third in his, and I managed to take first and claim a slot at the 70.3 World Championships in Nice, France, later this year. 

Overall this race was very well-run, particularly for a first-time event with a potentially complicated split transition.  The run is very spectator-friendly, and Omaha proved to be a welcoming race venue with great options for food and fun.  If you are looking for an Ironman-branded race near the Twin Cities, this is a good one.
 
Ken lives in Victoria, Minnesota, and trains on the roads and in the lakes of the southwest Minneapolis metro area; you can follow him on Instagram: @LongCourseTri, and learn about the triathlon book he is writing at LongCourseTri.com.