Ironman Goes Short

mmoonptdeux · Oct 6, 2010

I'd rather do the local sprint myself, if the fees are going to be typically on the high side for these events, but whaddya think?
 
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703298504575534353188495736.html?mod=WSJ_article_MoreIn_SportsMain" target="_blank">Ironman To Get Less Exclusive</a>

MBannon · Oct 6, 2010

Hm. Maybe this will be the impetus needed to get ITU and WTC to re-join.

theia · Oct 6, 2010

Yet another effort by the Ironman brand to make money.

niemsco · Oct 6, 2010

I don't really seen any attraction for me. Plenty of short distance races around me now with lower entrance fees and lower turn out on beautiful courses. I couldn't possibly see a reason to do one of these unless there was some kind of short course IM world championship and a qualifier. But then again isn't there something like this already? So no dice for me. I'd like there to be less IM events actually. Makes more qualifying slots <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">

Muffin Queen · Oct 6, 2010

I don't see myself participating. My experience with Mooseman and Timberman sprint now being owned by WTC was disappointing. Every race is not an ironman. An ironman is an ironman. They kept saying to volunteers that they wanted everyone to have the ironman experience. What about just having a safe race that is run well and is still fun and not so corporate... At this distance I think you should be able to show up race day, grab your packet, race and go home. The day before packet pick up they require for short races is ridiculous along with all the branding and limited vendors etc... at the expos. Plus, their goody bag was pathetic. Much better deals at local races lately for sure.
 
Yes, I have some strong feelings about this subject.<img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/mad.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;" title="">

4boysmom · Oct 6, 2010

I'll stick with my HFP races, thank you. I happen to like these smaller, local races. During the season, I have the option of doing a woman's only super sprint, sprint, Oly, mini, or 70.3. There are at least one--if not two or three--per month.
 
I suppose I see Ironman as I do the major marathons (Chicago, NY, Boston). Yah, maybe for once in a lifetime. But, for most of my races, local races work for me. I don't need the IM label.

cak73 · Oct 7, 2010

I think it's weird how none of the articles I've read about the "5150" races don't mention that IM already got shorter when it branded the "70.3" races. Plus,
one article doesn't even mention the IM distance correctly (140 miles in one instance and 141 miles in another).

Dougie Fresh · Oct 7, 2010

Sorry, when I read 5150 all I can think of is this: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzq17F-b9AU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzq17F-b9AU</a>

cak73 · Oct 7, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Dougie Fresh <a href="/forum/thread/70512/ironman-goes-short#post_1952187"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Sorry, when I read 5150 all I can think of is this: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzq17F-b9AU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzq17F-b9AU</a>
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 That's the first thing that pops into my head, too.

kristine25 · Oct 7, 2010

Wow, haven't posted here in forever!!! But I find myself disagreeing here. I think whatever draws people to the sport is a good thing. People new to triathlon know the brand name and this could be what draws people in. You would hope with the brand name comes a quality race. A race with great finisher medals, good organziation, lots of volunteers, etc. etc. And altough the local sprints usually put on decent races, I have had some with major issues (like waiting around for hours for awards, messing up timing, people getting lost on the bikes, etc.) And some people want/need the huge race thing. I think this is one of the reasons Danskin always does so well. Some people want/need the "hugeness" of it all. I know for my two marathons I have done, I wanted a big race, one where people were lining the streets and cheering, otherwise, for me, 26.2 is a long lonely way. That's not to say that IM doesn't have it's issues of course but like I said, if it brings more people to the sport, I think that's a good idea.

niemsco · Oct 7, 2010

@Kristine - I don't think anyone is saying its a bad idea (i don't think), they are just giving their viewpoint. I wouldn't do them because I have better options suited for myself, doesn't mean I don't think they should have them. From a business standpoint and marketing they are doing a smart thing, it will also make it easier for them to justify higher prices on the "main" event in the long run. So its smart for them.

kristine25 · Oct 7, 2010

I definilty see your point. For a sprint or Oly distance, I definilty wouldn't do one. Too many other less expensive options. I have done one 70.3 that was Ironman Brand and one that wasn't and the one that wasn't was actually a MUCH better race. I think for those of us who have been doing this awhile, don't need the big name (unless it's an actual IM distance) I just think for the newbies, the name recognition is helpful.

therambler · Oct 7, 2010

Personally, I think that anything called an Ironman (whether branded or not) is 140.6 but I see why they are diversifying, they are a corporation after all. I personally wouldn't do any of these shorter races put on by WTC simply because of the price, but if more people get into the sport because of it, that's great! Though, some how I think that the price hikes that come with WTC will deter more people than they will include. After all who is going to want to do a branded race when the local oly is so much cheaper?

niemsco · Oct 8, 2010

Funny thing is Rev3 beat them to this business model long ago. They have olympics at $175 non USAT, and their half irons are the same as IM half irons. They are however 100 dollars cheaper in their full IM prices. Because they are cheaper in their full Iron prices, you never hear anyone complain about Rev3, though they are high in their short course prices. Good for Rev3.

Dougie Fresh · Oct 8, 2010

I just wish the spread of WTC didn't mean death to things like Clydesdales and relays.

pcsronbo · Oct 10, 2010

And aqua bikes <img alt="sad.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//sad.gif">

cak73 · Oct 10, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Dougie Fresh <a href="/forum/thread/70512/ironman-goes-short#post_1952532"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I just wish the spread of WTC didn't mean death to things like Clydesdales and relays.
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<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by pcsronbo <a href="/forum/thread/70512/ironman-goes-short#post_1953055"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
And aqua bikes <img alt="sad.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//sad.gif"></div>
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Totally. 
Rev3 does *ALL* of those (and athenas).

mrscoby78 · Oct 12, 2010

The thought of someone doing a sprint and walking around saying "I did an Ironman" makes me cringe.

AdCo · Oct 12, 2010

Yabut.. there are plenty of people who do a 1/2 and it is branded.. I mean people who really care (us <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">) know what's what <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif"> 
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by mrscoby78 <a href="/forum/thread/70512/ironman-goes-short#post_1953712"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> The thought of someone doing a sprint and walking around saying "I did an Ironman" makes me cringe.
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pcsronbo · Oct 16, 2010

It's brand confusion/dilution. I don't like it. they must have a larger vision... I'd hope... or they have their head up their ass and they're going to milk the brand to death and kill it.
 
We'll see...

Ironman Goes Short

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