Desert Half Iron Preview

For a tough bike ride, start at around the 60km mark in the map above, ride up and over Richter Pass and beyond the 100km mark, then turn around and ride back the other way. Throw in 30+ degree heat, for good measure. That's the Desert Half Iron bike course.

The Desert Half Iron takes place tomorrow in Osoyoos, B.C. I could have picked an easier race, but I'm just up the road in Penticton for training camp anyway, so what the heck. At the very least, the tough course should be a good test of fitness.

The swim takes place in Osoyoos Lake, a two-lap affair of 2000m. The swim course is uh, flat.

The bike course is the meat in the middle, covering one of the most infamous climbs in the Ironman world: Richter Pass. At Ironman Canada, once you top Richter Pass, it's behind you for good. Tomorrow, it's up and over, then back again. Pacing the first ascent properly will be key to a good bike split. The only upside is a screaming downhill final descent into Osoyoos, which gives the legs a rest and sets up well for the half-marathon.

The run course consists of two loops along parts of Main Street and also Lakeshore Drive, mainly flat, but with a couple of hills that will be murder after the hard ride. The temperature will really be a factor, too.

This race is only a few years old, but is already up to nearly 500 entrants. It also serves as the Canadian Long Course Championships, and awards 25 Ironman Canada spots.