Ray Canuck wrote:
Complaints I hear....
Harder to get the volunteers....
Dinner and party for them a mere shadow of what it used to be
Cost to the city constantly going up all the while WTCs take grows
Stature of the event eroded - Kona spots reduced prize money cut in half
I was a 20yo kid back in 83, I was down at Gyro Park watching these crazy folks doing something I thought was impossible.
Eventually made me enter, gave me the courage to go into self-employment.
I loved the event never missed one. Loved the athletes, they came from everywhere. I organized a homestay program for overseas athletes & young pros.
I sponsored athletes, Peter Reid, Lori Bowden, Teemu Vesala, Stefan Holzner, Steffen Hartig, Jill Savage, Garrett McFayden, Bryan Rhodes, Brendan Downey all ran IMC with my logo, most before anybody ever heard of them.
Spent well over 25K on sponsoring them, always felt these athletes never made enough $$, they could always get gear but hard cash was impossible to come by so I gave them cash. Believe me my shop wasn't that successful but loved the sport and the athletes trying to make a living as triathletes.
Organized bus rides around the course for newbies giving them info they needed.
Being fluent in German I acted as an ambassador to the hordes of German speaking entrants when IMC was the last chance to get a spot for Kona .
Contracted local artists to make Tri themed t's (pissed Graham off a few times with these =8) I was very successful with them.
Organized nutrition seminars, held meet the pros events like "Breakfast with Lori &Peter" with Q & A sessions.
IMC shut down the homestay program, threatened lawsuits over my T’s. Pressured athletes not to participate in activities I organized. Airbrushed any of my logo’s in finishing pics ( look closely you should recognize a few winners!)
When I heard of the loss of IMC I was devastated and wondered WTF the Challenge Family was. What a lame name was my initial thought.
I still know jack about them really but what I have read seems positive.
Ironman is great but I don't mind giving a fresh idea some slack and I can see why events are unfolding as they are.
Kids never like it when their parents split but most of the time it’s for the best.
One door closes but another opens, change brings opportunity.
I live here, I love long distance Tri, I love the folks that come here and I love making sure they have the best race ever. There are literally thousands here that have the very same attitude that is why this race will not fizzle out, that is why many athletes will always want to come here. Long distance tri’s are a part of our communal fabric and we are proud of it.
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Good on ya Ray!.Great to see one of the good old guys come out of the woodwork and chip in his thoughts..You were always the cool rebel that kept the Evil Empire on it's toes..
I wish I had kept my favourite shirt 'cause we could do with it now "No Cry Babies!"..;-)
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