Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks?

Calendar Retailers Stack & Reach Custom Geometry Calculator (beta) More To Come...
		MAIN INDEX	RULES & LEGEND	LOG IN

Search for (options)

Newsletter Signup

Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks?

1 2 3

sto

Aug 26, 08 14:17

Post #1 of 75 (2074 views)

Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks?	Can't Post

So back at the scene of the crime this weekend in Penticton, I was reliving my first Ironman experience there with my friends. You know, the times when you could enter the race in like November for $200 or something, back in 1997, Hog's Breathe Cafe, etc. Yeah.

So we started talking about how huge some of the older AG groups are now, compared to the younger 20-30 AGs. For example Women 40-44 had well over 127 ladies entered, but strangely, Men 25-29 had LESS than 100. Back in the day, there were 200 or more 25-29 guys and maybe 70 ladies over 40. So it begs the question, how come the reversal of numbers?

And one of the guys, who incidentally is 28, said "well, it's because younger people don't make enough yet to afford it". And i think he's right. With entry fees of now $550, is WTC / IMNA pricing the younger generation out, and only us old fogies with six figure incomes can afford a week in Penticton (considering all the toys and money it takes to get there on top of it?). (disclaimer: being old and selfish, i'm not displeased by this turn, and i also like the higher price because it really makes people think before grabbing a voucher and pulling the trigger)

i know Ironman overall is still growing, but i'd love to hear what others think is driving this? can we blame the slacker generation? Grand Theft Auto? the advent of microbrew?

S

-------------------------------------------------
"so i've got that going for me, which is nice"
- Carl Spackler

ddension

Aug 26, 08 14:31

Post #2 of 75 (2035 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am 26, I am single (no family to support) and although I make decent coin for a guy my age, doing IMs annually is simply not financially possible for me. I did IMLP this year which was a huge investment for me. Race + Travel + 300/night hotel rooms...it is a significant chunk of change to shell out for a race.

Keep in mine that the average annual income of a triathlete is about $140,000. At 26, I am not quite an 'average' triathlete yet...

Martin C

Aug 26, 08 14:36

Post #3 of 75 (2019 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

++=++=++=++=++=++=++=++=++=++=++
"It sucks for everyone after 150 miles." -Me-

KeepOnGrinding

Aug 26, 08 14:38

Post #4 of 75 (2010 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Training for IMLOU this year has broke the bank for me. I'm 22 and single. I think what really got me was big things popping up that I had to pay for. AKA- my shoes dieing last week, loosing my watch- having to buy a new one. But it will all be worth it come Sunday. I have no regrets.

brider

Aug 26, 08 14:41

Post #5 of 75 (1998 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Heck, I can't afford it...

But I've noticed the same thing even in smaller races, where the competition in the men's 20-25 AG is pretty... shallow. So I don't think it's just a money issue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-racing member of Team Zoot/GU and part of the ST PowerCranks review squad

QRgirl

Aug 26, 08 14:42

Post #6 of 75 (1992 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [Martin C] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Fonzie? You're blaming it on Fonzie?

00

Aug 26, 08 14:42

Post #7 of 75 (1988 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

and i also like the higher price because it really makes people think before grabbing a voucher and pulling the trigger

Judging by the number of carbon bikes ridden by folks camping out in the 16-17 mph range, and the number of people I know who are on their second $5k bike within 3 years, I'm not really sure that $550 is a deterrent.

(Note I'm not slamming slower riders, I'm commenting on the fact that $$ isn't necessarily a consideration even when training time is.)

That really is a silly question though. The higher the price, the more people that won't be able to afford it. And since income is somewhat correlated to age, yes, it will affect younger triathletes more on average.

Quote

i know Ironman overall is still growing, but i'd love to hear what others think is driving this? can we blame the slacker generation? Grand Theft Auto? the advent of microbrew?

If Ironman overall is still growing then they are managing the pricing just fine (and possibly not charging enough). Look at the alternatives. Non M-dot races have much lower prices and for the most part, much lower participation.
----------------------------------------------------
Note to self: increase training load.

TriStrut

Aug 26, 08 14:49

Post #8 of 75 (1972 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [brider] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Heck, I can't afford it...

But I've noticed the same thing even in smaller races, where the competition in the men's 20-25 AG is pretty... shallow. So I don't think it's just a money issue.

Look at any Masters swim meet - you'll notice that you don't start getting lots of people until the age groups reach the 30's. it's not just triathlons. Younger people are more likely to be less settled down in where they live (why train for an Ironman if you're going to move in 8 months), are saving money for the first home, starting families, etc. Those aren't just financial issues, they eat up a lot of time and energy.

And if you're going to look at it purely financially: It's not just the cost of IM entry itself. Triathlon is an expensive sport to start, even if you have no plans on entering an Ironman. The bike is the most expensive single item; but there's also a helmet, running shoes, cycling shoes, pool membership, etc.
_________________________________

Go that way really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.

sto

Aug 26, 08 14:51

Post #9 of 75 (1966 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [00] [In reply to]	Can't Post

you mention the high $$$ bikes.... of course this will come across totally snobbish, but i was ASTOUNDED at the number of high dollar bikes i saw roll into T2 at IMC in the 7-8:30 hour bike split range. i haven't been to an IM in 2 years, and when you are racing perhaps you don't notice it, but DAMN, there were ALOT of very expensive bikes out there very late in the day

it's making me think about NOT upgrading my 8 year old Litespeed as I am certainly crap tons faster than 7 hours.

-------------------------------------------------
"so i've got that going for me, which is nice"
- Carl Spackler

Martin C

Aug 26, 08 14:59

Post #10 of 75 (1938 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [QRgirl] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Fonzie? You're blaming it on Fonzie?

No. I'm blaming it on Garry Marshall.

++=++=++=++=++=++=++=++=++=++=++
"It sucks for everyone after 150 miles." -Me-

sto

Aug 26, 08 15:00

Post #11 of 75 (1934 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [00] [In reply to]	Can't Post

well, thinking back to 1997, when I made something like $30K a year, the entry fee / gear was not really that outrageous considering my economic setting. I'm just trying to compare the $200 fee in 1997 dollars versus the $550 entry fee of 2009. (my salary has tripled and so has the entry fee, almost), but again, there were TONS more 20-30 somethings at Ironmans years ago.

i've read the average college grad make $40-50K these days, so i'm not sure what the difference.

-------------------------------------------------
"so i've got that going for me, which is nice"
- Carl Spackler

sto

Aug 26, 08 15:10

Post #12 of 75 (1897 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [TriStrut] [In reply to]	Can't Post

well, people have always been gettin married and starting families during those ages, so i'm not sure that can explain it. fact. IM numbers for the 20-30 AG's have dropped off in recent years.

granted, bikes and all the accoutrements are more expensive too. perhaps these folks think they need a $3000 bike to start racing and it takes a long time to afford that.

i don't know too many people who sign up for IM who don't currently own a bike / helmet or shoes. it's not like they have to go out and buy all the stuff, they should already own it, so yeah, UPKEEP / UPGRADE is expensive, but the initial outlay is DONE.

-------------------------------------------------
"so i've got that going for me, which is nice"
- Carl Spackler

Alpern

Aug 26, 08 15:17

Post #13 of 75 (1867 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm just moved into the 25-29 AG... and I consider myself to be doing quite well, all things considered. I'm certainly better-off than the average American, though not necessarily the average triathlete if the numbers mentioned elsewhere in the thread are true.

I'm not planning on doing an IM anytime soon... but I have to say in all seriousness, why am I going to shell out $550, the best part of a week in a hotel (in a city with an abnormally high occupancy rate during the aforementioned period) plus travel expenses for the privilege of torturing myself for, at best, almost half a day?

I get spending money on vacations. I get spending money on races. But $550 is a lot of money - am I really going to be happier doing the logo IM instead of doing an independent IM or half like Rockman and having $415 in my pocket to spend on other things?

Somehow I doubt it. I admittedly don't get the appeal of iron-distance, but I'd love to hear why I should spend $550 instead of $135 to race twice as far. That seems like horrific marginal value for my money.
- -- - -- --- -- - -- --- ---- --- -- - -- --- -- - -- -

My NYC Tri Race Report

trexleradam

Aug 26, 08 15:17

Post #14 of 75 (1864 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm going to vote yes--I just aged up to 30, and I've had a lot of conversations with people around my age about what an expensive sport it is. Actually, at the moment I'm strongly considering my racing goals (trying for Kona just seems so expensive)...
And while I can understand the point of view that there's still a demand for these events (from a purely economic standpoint), I'd rather do events that are more inclusive, and I think long term NAS might be shooting themselves in the foot by reducing the number of younger people getting into the sport.

(There's a counter-argument that you get into the sport by doing a sprint or oly, but I think most people are inspired by the IM distance.)

mdcrag

Aug 26, 08 15:21

Post #15 of 75 (1848 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Certainly $$ is an issue. However, I think another issue is opportunity costs. I'll be doing my 5th IM this year and it'll be my last for awhile. I love the event and will do another down the road, but the cache' of IM has worn off. So, spending $2,000 annually for a single event doesn't seem like a great idea anymore. I can use the money to do other events (24hr Mtn bike, Xterra races, adventure races, more local bike, run and tri events,etc.)
-------------------------------------------------------
"While racing, it is not nice to count outloud when passing people."

"I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"

SBRW

Aug 26, 08 15:30

Post #16 of 75 (1821 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would argue that everything's gone up in price. That, and the Ironman event itself has expanded dramatically. Yes, it's expensive, but it's a full weekend.

stepchild

Aug 26, 08 16:08

Post #17 of 75 (1770 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Why would you "upgrade" a Litespeed?
I love my 2001 Saber:-)

Murphy'sLaw

Aug 26, 08 16:25

Post #18 of 75 (1744 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Young people are too busy partying and getting laid to be bothered w/ wanting to do IM.
Hookers and blow! ;-)

It's only when you are older, and no longer getting laid, that you need to come up w/ another outlet.
The fact that you also now have a bit more coin to support the hobby don't hurt either.

All those 20-something triathletes you so fondly remember from back in the day, those who stuck w/ the sport, are now in the 35-39, 40-44, and 45-49 AGs.
Along with all the newbies (who are no longer getting laid, and therefore started doing tri), hence the size of those AGs.

float , hammer , and jog

On ST hiatus from 11/1/08 until Spring '09

runningwilddave

Aug 26, 08 16:25

Post #19 of 75 (1743 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm 23 and have been out of college working full time for 2 1/2 years. I wouldn't say that it is now too expensive, it just means giving something else up. There's a lot of things that would be equally "too expensive" for us younger folks. I would love a nice log house with a yard, but I know I'll be in my townhouse for quite a few years. I would also love to shell more money into my business, but it's not there yet. I'd like to go to Europe someday, and I'd also like to work 5 days a week, and not 6 or 7. There isn't much flexibility at this point.

I did Lake Placid in 2005. It was very affordable because I had a summer job up there in 2004 and 2005. All I had to pay was the entry fee. My family came up and rented a house in Wilmington for a great price also. We wouldn't have known to look there if I hadn't been in there area. As a bonus, I was awarded the Active.com fellowship and got a decent check from them that I spent on Mdot #2:

IMAZ in 2007 was a bit more expensive b/c of the airfare, hotels, meals. We split everything up, and airfare from here was actually fairly reasonable. I planned on going to IMCDA, but after looking at $500 for air, $150+/night hotel, missed work, etc, It just was not worthwhile. I could have paid for it, but it would have been at the expense of lots of other things, like a vehicle to drive. I'm doing beach2battleship in november. I can drive there, it was a few hundred bucks less to enter, and I can miss a day or 2 less at work.

I think there's a couple reasons there's not more of us in the 18-30 groups:
-We make less money
-We owe more money (student loans, likely needing a vehicle, home purchase)
-If driven (as most type a ironman people are), likely working insane hours in an effort to move up, make more $$$ and eventually afford ironman.
-Little to no 'reserve' money- still trying to build a safety net, so not willing to spend available cash in case something major comes up.
-physical- either no activity in college or little activity, or burnt out of their other life long sport and haven't "found" triathlon yet. Or, just not ready to move up to the ironman distance (mentally and/or physcially).

The fast guys/girls seem to be just as fast, there's just not the depth. As mentioned earlier, the depth at smaller, local races isn't there either, so it's not just at the M-dot distance. All around, it's an expensive, time consuming, intimidating sport-yes, as much as a lot of you think that 20-25's are hot shot a-holes, we are intimidated sometimes by your fancy bikes, cars, wives, dogs, and kids :-)

IKnowEverything

Aug 26, 08 16:25

Post #20 of 75 (1742 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Definitely too expensive for us; I'm 25 and the two IM's I've done have nearly destroyed me financially every time. Luckily, I'm young, stupid, and resilient so I bounce back.

I've sold my soul for the sport. To counter rising bike costs, I got a part-time job at a bike shop. Works pretty well, but even the employee prices can hurt sometimes.

But think about the way you have to get into IM races now... showing up to the race site the day after? For the "more experienced" guys out there (no disrespect to the age), it's not as hard financially to jet off... makes a nice vacation in fact, and odds are if you can afford it, you worked hard enough in your life to DESERVE that vacation. But that doesn't change the fact that I train my butt off, and frankly, I deserve to be there racing.

I don't really blame NAS, or race organizers, really... it's not the companies driving the costs up, but the racers. Sure, the companies take a nice cut, but hell they work their asses off and deserve a payday. The sport is REALLY getting expensive because of the well-to-do triathletes who are demanding more and more out of their races.

When I started doing tris, back in 2000, you showed up to a race, and got timing, maybe some pizza after a race, and SOME races had t-shirts. Look at the demands racers put out now, especially in full IMs... just look at ST any given day to see someone bitching about how the race they just did had 50 portapotties instead of 75, or how they didn't get patte along with their filet mignon at the post-race dinner.

I guess I'm really just venting my economic frustrations about the sport; there's not much that can really be done. What's worse is the fact that while I wasn't an econ major, I understand the basics and I realize that these races won't get any cheaper anytime soon. And, I guess I'm just adding to the problem by continuing to bring myself to the edge of what I can handle financially in order to do these races.

Because as much as I bitch, I'll be there at Lake Placid next year (at the front of the swim start, because I race it like a man).

PS: I will kick all your asses too ;-P

surfnrun

Aug 26, 08 16:32

Post #21 of 75 (1724 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [SBRW] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wait until you are in your 40's are start paying college tuitions...that will dampen your appetite for $500 entrance fee's...

runningwilddave

Aug 26, 08 16:42

Post #22 of 75 (1715 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [surfnrun] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Maybe we should change the thread to "is ironman now too expensive for anyone funding college?" to include the 20 something's that had to borrow to get through and the parents that are so generously helping their kids through. I have no idea how anyone's going to afford it in 15-20 years unless something major changes, or how parents with many kids are doing it now. It's getting pretty outrageous.

tallguy

Aug 26, 08 16:50

Post #23 of 75 (1700 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [KeepOnGrinding] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Training for IMLOU this year has broke the bank for me. I'm 22 and single. I think what really got me was big things popping up that I had to pay for. AKA- my shoes dieing last week, loosing my watch- having to buy a new one. But it will all be worth it come Sunday. I have no regrets.

You'll see a huge ROI once you are an Ironman. Your ability to get a rich babe babe who digs the Ironman vibe will wash away your past year's troubles. Make sure you get a tattoo on your forehead :)

sleepy

Aug 26, 08 17:52

Post #24 of 75 (1630 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Generally, the locations for an Ironman are not that nearby, so transportation, hotel, food (plus all this for a companion/support crew if you're lucky). This can more than double that entry fee cost--that has been a major deterrent for me.

***I should admit that my ADD on the bike contributes to me rarely putting in a triple digit bike mileage week, it's mostly the cost that is fighting me off ;)

devashish_paul

Aug 26, 08 18:05

Post #25 of 75 (1608 views)

Re: Is Ironman now too expensive for the younger folks? [sto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think you pretty well covered it...but beyond that, 40 is the new 20 :-)

As for hot bikes, it is all good. Some guys buy a hot car and trade their 40 something wife in for a 20 something wife....us 40 something trigeeks, keep our wives (if they still want us), get hot bikes, so that we can keep our abs looking like we are still 25, so that our wives actually do keep us :-). Regardless, if you want to see the hottest bikes they are in the M40-55 racks...

Hey, nice seeing ya again at IMC...yeah, 1997 seems like yesterday.

Glad you will be back racing in Penticton and kicking butt....I hate to ask a woman her age, but with the new age up rules, do ya get to race 45-49...in which case no pressure to get to kona :-) :-) :-)

Dev

1 2 3

View All