Best races

Be nice to have a thread which outlines the best/favourite races that people have competed in. Individual disciplines can be included.

My favourites are:
Port Macquarie HIM - love the atmosphere, course, crowd support and scenery. I can only compare it to one other HIM that I have raced, Canberra which I found didnt have the atmosphere of Port Mac.

Mudgee Running Festival - Beautiful course running either the Half or Full Marathon. Great food, Zoot T-shirt and well organised. Can be a little cold at the start though.

I used to love the SMH Half Marathon but I think it is just getting a little too big these days.

Honu Half.

http://www.ironman703hawaii.com/

Perfect swim, top half of the IM bike courrse, honest run over some challenging terrain.

Nubeena Regatta mini triathlon.
12-20people race including little kids, they put numbers on with lipstick.
transition is just leaving your bike on the side of the road somewhere.
swim is about 50 metres of an out and back course. Oysters in the water a bit of a danger.
Ride 4-5km undulating with a steep hill just before the turn, so you absolutely fly back (good chance to catch the kids on MTBs or one on a cruiser bike a couple years ago that swim like fish)
run almost same course as ride, so that hurts a bit.
Only ever managed 3rd male 4 times - $100 for first place $20 for second, nothing for third damn it.

Hell of the West: Run by locals, friendly and quite challenging
Taupo IM: Great crowds and weather is not too hot

I know it isn't an IM/HIM, but, the Airlie Beach sprint is a nice way to spend a sunday morning. Past few years I make a weekend of it by riding to Airlie(165km) on Saturday and racing Sunday....and then eating a F@#KING big ice cream afterwards..

Tour de Timor - amazing 5 day mtb race
There is currently talk of a marathon being held there in June/July 2010 which would be an experience.