Which Race to Do - Part 4 (The Run)

This is part 4 of a yet-to-be-determined number of parts detailing race selection for my 2015 "ultra" distance triathlon debut.  In case you missed it, here are the intro, part 1, part 2, and part 3.

In golf they say you drive for show and putt for dough.  The same works in triathlon... you bike for show and run for dough.  Dough, for me, is to finish the race relatively strong, with my chin up, and not in a death march at midnight.

I'm not a fast runner, but I'm a solid middle-of-the-pack runner (go figure).  I like to think that my ability to suffer on the run is decent, and as long as I've done my training I can generally keep my feet moving forward.  I live near a National Park and do a fair amount of trail running... it's hilly but not mountainous.  On road courses I tend to favor flatter courses but also prefer scenic courses - these two normally conflict.  

So, on to the breakdown...



 
Recall from part 1 that there are five races I'm considering:
 

• Ironman Wisconsin (IMMoo)
• Ironman Louisville (IMLou)
• Ironman Chattanooga (IMChoo)
• Ironman Lake Placid (IMLP)
• Rev3 Cedar Point

Here's a quick rundown of the run courses:
 
IMMoo
Course: 2 Laps through downtown Madison, including the UofW campus and stadium, as well as a run in the park along the lake. 
Feature:  The course reportedly has some of the best spectator support among full-distance races. 
Challenge: It's a fairly hilly course. 

IMLou
Course:  Double out-and-back course through Louisville, past Churchill Downs and through the University of Louisville campus.  Basically flat and probably not all that scenic.  By double out-and-back I meant that you basically run the same 10K 4 times. 
Feature:  Not much "feature" to talk about with this course.  By all accounts it's fairly boring. 
Challenge:  Just like the bike, the IM Lou run is known for its heat and humidity. 
 
IMChoo
Course:  Two loops through downtown Chattanooga. 
Feature: Not much of a feature here either.  Spectator support is TBD since this race is running for the first time this year.
Challenge: It's a rolling course.  The IM website claims 700' of elevation gain, but people who have driven and/or ran the course report that it may be a bit more.  

 IMLP
Course: Like IM Lou, it's a double out-and-back... 4 identical 10Ks plus a little.
Feature: The course runs through some pretty scenic areas and also offers some views of former Olympic venues.
Challenge: Hills, hills, and more hills.  That, and evil tricks like starting out downhill to make you feel great and encourage you to go out harder than appropriate.

Rev3 Cedar Point
Course: Two lap course that runs into and around Sandusky.
Feature: Not much to feature.  The course is fairly spectator friendly if you have spectators who are willing to move around to see you.
Challenge: Probably more of a mental challenge than a physical one.  This course is flat.

So, what's the verdict on the run leg?  I'm definitely more interested in the runs with some scenery and/or good crowds.  So IM Moo and IM LP look good.  IM Choo is a maybe... I think there is probably enough change in scenery to keep that run interesting as well.  We'll know more once that race runs for the first time.  The IM Lou and Rev3 courses look pretty uninspiring.