I'm one of the people in that vote category. In the near term it would be bad because people would speculate on the health of the multi sport market in general, but after some initial shock things would be better. The sport is ill-served that so many people unfamiliar with it commingle triathlon with ironman and the latter is a trademark aggressively defended by a corporation. Local smaller events would be better off not having Ironman siphon off so much money and resource into marque events. More races that cost under $200 to do are better for the sport than fewer races costing nearly a grand for entry alone. I realize that for some people the Ironman event suits them well and it is a great accomplishment. I just don't care for how it overshadows the rest of the sport and I would love to see multisport fans take back their sport.

Not in my Club.
Many people do a full once and then go back to Sprints and Olympics. Even more never do long distance and never intend to.

Was not directed at him, but some LC racers, as can been seen all the time by comments on ST. :)

In 20 years, about 180 races. Done 2 IM races. A few halfs. 90% of everything else has been Olympic distance, which I try to make them all USAT for the last 10 years.

Yea, there are a few IM or nothing folks I know. But most do not seem to race very long, let alone, very old. :)

I have nothing but respect for the folks who can do long stuff, let alone long stuff well. But to always talk down to us folks who know what fits in best with our life as if
we are second class folks, well, ...

Not in my Club.
Many people do a full once and then go back to Sprints and Olympics. Even more never do long distance and never intend to.
In a club of about 120 people I think there are probably about 30-35 who've done one or more full IM distance events and half of those have probably NOT done Ironman branded races. Most people in the club have done loads of Sprint and Olympic races and maybe some double Olympic or 70.3 but have no aspirations to IM distance and certainly don't put great value in the Ironman brand. This is not a reflection of their ability or dedication - a big proportion of these people are much better athletes than me.
I do think there are a contingent who come to triathlon specifically with an IM race in mind and little interest in anything else. It's probably a significant number but I don't think it's the majority.

FYI, I'm in Ireland not the US. Maybe the trends are very different.

Not in my Club.
Many people do a full once and then go back to Sprints and Olympics. Even more never do long distance and never intend to.
In a club of about 120 people I think there are probably about 30-35 who've done one or more full IM distance events and half of those have probably NOT done Ironman branded races. Most people in the club have done loads of Sprint and Olympic races and maybe some double Olympic or 70.3 but have no aspirations to IM distance and certainly don't put great value in the Ironman brand. This is not a reflection of their ability or dedication - a big proportion of these people are much better athletes than me.
I do think there are a contingent who come to triathlon specifically with an IM race in mind and little interest in anything else. It's probably a significant number but I don't think it's the majority.

FYI, I'm in Ireland not the US. Maybe the trends are very different.

I think the IM going away would be the coffin and the IM70.3 distance going away would be the nails. I really do. There are plenty of 70.3ers that will be IM'd from head to toe 365. They like the impression of people thinking they did an IM, but they only did a half.

I know this scenario is really hard to imagine (Ironman going away), but I really think the IM brand is the sole prop for the world of triathlon in the US.

Your preferred racing distance has little or nothing to do with why people here might talk down to you.

I have nothing but respect for the folks who can do long stuff, let alone long stuff well. But to always talk down to us folks who know what fits in best with our life as if we are second class folks, well, ...

I get your point Dave. The results might be far different at Beginner Triathlete. For some, ST is even more important to them than IM and they guard their status dearly.

If Dan did a poll of no more ST would the results be similar?