BigHouse
Nov 16, 05 12:49
Post #1 of 1
(56 views)
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The (local) Year in Review...
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As a longtime race director/announcer/marketer, I'm curious to know how the 2005 season went for directors of smaller races across the U.S.
Just my personal observation, but although USAT data suggests there are more triathletes than ever out there, there is no question that #'s of athletes at races in Florida, (where I'm based), have been dropping significantly over the last 2-3 years. For example, the popular CFT Sprint Series races that at one time had 1,000-1,200 participants legitimately, have decreased by about 50%. Still other Series, like the Publix FFW/Coke Classic Sprint Series saw probably less than 250 competitors on average this year, as opposed to 500-600 just a couple seasons ago.
I know that there are any # of answers for this seeming decline. Certainly there are more promoters & more racers, meaning that the "pie" is getting cut into thinner slices. The economy seems to be a factor, i.e. jobless rate & price of fuel. Some RD's & athletes have told me that other factors such as increased prices for the same race, more athletes going "long" due to IM aspirations, just as examples, have benn main reasons for the decline in #'s at races that at one time not long ago had been the "Big Dogs" on the block.
Does anyone have any feedback regarding this observation? I'm sure that RD's around the country would love to get your feedback...
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