Not very often. When a natural disaster cancels or postpones an event (e.g., IM Lake Tahoe, IM Maryland) they have provided limited slots to sold-out events to help those folks race at another venue.

I didn't realize they sold out anymore.

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Brian

Takes a lot longer now for most IMs, but IM Arizona and IM Austria still sell out in less than 1 day/3 days respectively. Ironman Texas and Ironman Lake Placid are sold out (general entry) for 2018. But the point is, once they sell out regardless of how late, IM doesn't come back and say - hey, we just miraculously found an additional 25 general entry slots except when they are trying to help athletes whose IM was cancelled or postponed - which is pretty rare.

The only way to get into a sold out event is to buy a foundation slot.

yeah, that's realistically the only way. It's expensive for sure. I've never done it. But, if the stars aligned with my condition - meaning everything was going better than ever, I'd justify the expense. I've done too many races (including IM's) in less than peak condition, that the money tradeoff for a peak performance, or, at least a chance at it would be worth it.

Lets...

Enjoy the journey!

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I saw this on a white board in a window box at my daughters middle school...
List of what life owes you:
1. __________
2. __________
3. __________

Texas went like dynamite this year.

Depending on the event that's sold out you can try http://www.endurancesportstravel.com/ or https://www.nirvanaeurope.com/en/events/ironman

These companies sell slots combined with travel packages for certain sold out events - such as IM Austria.

Good point. I actually used Endurance Sports one year for IM Arizona and would use them again. I did however have to reserve a spot about a year in advance if I recall correctly; in other words they also sell out for the popular spots.

Endurance Sports is a great way to travel to any event; sold-out or not.
But to contribute and having first hand knowledge of IM and sold-out events; once general entries are gone they are gone.
For the US:
This year Texas sold-out which is a first.
Arizona is the only full that consistently sells out ASAP.
Lake Placid and Florida now drag on you have a months after they open to register.

Wisconsin is the only other one that may come close to selling out over time.

The rest of them, you are fairly in the clear until you have a firm grasp on your calendar year and travel plans.

This year is not the first year that Texas sold out. It sold out in 2014 for sure, and if memory serves '11–'13, as well.

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