It's obvious that the B2B half was the prize possession for WTC and not the full.

That might be largely due to logistical concerns more than anything but that was the race they wanted.

IMMD is certainly not long for this world if there's one iota of a snafu for next year. I'm surprised it made it to next year actually. I doubt registration numbers are robust.

Agree and the Point to Point to Point to Point course is just too logistically difficult for the race organizers and racers. Just not worth the effort.

Well, except that the 70.3 is still alive and still follows the Point to Point to Point model...............

Agree and the Point to Point to Point to Point course is just too logistically difficult for the race organizers and racers. Just not worth the effort.

Agree and the Point to Point to Point to Point course is just too logistically difficult for the race organizers and racers. Just not worth the effort.

Except that it obviously wasn't too logistically difficult for Set-Up Events. They made it work and had a great event because they gave a shit about the event. Plus the local community had a stake in ensuring the race was successful. Sure, the situation this year was unfortunate but this race simply collapsed under the weight and neglect of WTC. They may very well have intended to drop the full all along.

For a point of comparison, Nation's Triathlon is one of the bigger tris in the country and they manage to fit about 4000 racers doing a Sprint and Oly basically at the same time on a pretty small course in a very difficult environment in the Nation's Capitol.

Kind of apples vs oranges. The Nation's Tri has road closures for maybe a few hours and it's all contained within 8-9 miles and all in DC.

The 112 mile IMNC route goes through several counties and towns that requires road closures and logistical concerns for several hours... with zero benefit to all those areas not name Wilmington. So it's a huge pain in the ass for Pender, Sampson, and Bladen counties.

Pretty much. They can have the same race registration as they've had over 2 races (~2800 for both 70.3 & IM), and likely cut the BS. No having to deal with those counties that only are part of the IM bike course. No having to double volunteers til midnight. If you are IM, it makes no sense to have both an IM and 70.3 on the same day. Who wants to work til 1am, when you can have the same race numbers likely and be at the bar by 6pm done for the night.

Of course I said last year. Setup Events shouldn't have to "sell out" for a race that was doing decently well. But when IM comes knocking on your door, you shut up and take their deal. It just sucks that's the "business" of today's races. You want healthy alternatives to races. But we will continue to lose good races.

As I posted in the other thread "this is the business we've chosen".

So it is cool comoanies like Setup Events to cash out and take the money, but WTC is criticized for doing a "money grab"....

Intellectual inconsistency for $200, Alex....

So it is cool comoanies like Setup Events to cash out and take the money, but WTC is criticized for doing a "money grab"....

Intellectual inconsistency for $200, Alex....

OK, playing devil's advocate here...

SetUp Events sold the race in 2015, believe very shortly after the race as they were late getting information up about the 2016 race. At the same time, Trihabitat, the "world class, first of its kind triathlon racing and training facility" was still trying to get up and running in Rocky Point (Pender County). One of the major team players (CEO) in Trihabitat is Bill Scott, owner of SetUp Events. In June 2015, reps were saying financing was 2/3 complete and they had won Pender County Board of Commissioners' approval. Which suggests, maybe Pender Co was cool with a training facility as it kept people off the road for training and racing?

Trihabitat website posts new content up until September 2015 (granted nothing Trihabitat-specific, just general, "eat this, free plans, stay injury free,") but for all intents and purposes, the concept is still a go. Then, Feb 22, 2016, Trihabitat says pulling plug on Pender County facility, looking to Orlando for facility. Website still up, not updated but Jim Courier and Greg Norman listed as investors in Alchemy Capital, the company behind Trihabitat. Not related to anything but fascinating nonetheless.

Did Pender Co give ok to use roads for one more IM, with idea that Trihabitat would be up and running the following year and the race would be there, thereby clearing roads in Pender Co? Then without approval for 2017, they had to give up full?

Did WTC have some sweet deal with Trihabitat, where they would move the race to the facility thereby giving Trihabitat "street-cred" among the IM community? When Trihabitat fell through, did WTC say, yeah, we'll be nice and keep the 1/2.

Just ideas. Seems interesting that a lot of things seems related.

Did B2B four times. Without a doubt my favorite race based on course (which yes, was super goofy at times) people (the town is awesome and the support was stellar) and the gear (hello?? Without Limits drinking pants?? Yes please!). It breaks my heart what has happened to this race.
Le sadz.