Strikes me that you have turned an acknowledgment of your accomplishments into a negative. Then again, you could just be diligent in making sure that no good deed goes unpunished.

At O'side, the volunteer at the first desk was just yelling out, "AWA can come to the front of the line." I did not see anybody doing any line cutting.

Yes, one of the race bibs had a teeny sticker that was bronze, or whatever, that had something on it like AWA or other letters. I paid no attention to mine and actually wore the other bib that didn't have any cute sticker on it.

I only had one lady get excited about my sticker on my bib, I think she was the t-shirt lady. I was going through my packet ensuring all my stuff was in there and she happened to see it and got all giddy.

I didn't see any other perks or passes at O'side. Not that it would've saved you anything but about 8 minutes off the process anyway. Meh...it's a nice thing they do, but is it super duper cool? Not really.

i got an email about this awhile back. Anyone know how this was decided? the line cutting thing seems like a good way to piss some people off. A separate line altogether might have been a better plan

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Rattlesnake Blake
With the "Venom Enom"

so another way the AWA is really just like a frequent flier program. hte more you race the more you are likely to be an AWA, then you get to jump to the head of the line at registration.

Nobody gets pissed when it's the airlines doing it. Why be mad at WTC, they just found a new way to increase loyalty and show appreciation for those who are loyal.

Stop racing WTC if it pisses you off.

It is the continued douchiness of the sport

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John Behme
Charlotte, NC

Race HITS long course and you won't have to worry about any lines, even for the bathroom right before the start.

The e-mail I got for Galveston says there will be a separate line, so at least it wouldn't be blatant cutting in front of people which would be crappy. If it is anything even close to a blatant "cut-in" I won't do it. If it is a separate line and table, why the hell wouldn't I?

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____________________
Rock Chalk!

This.

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"The right to party is a battle we have fought, but we'll surrender and go Amish... NOT!" -Wayne Campbell

Yes, one of the race bibs had a teeny sticker that was bronze, or whatever, that had something on it like AWA or other letters. I paid no attention to mine and actually wore the other bib that didn't have any cute sticker on it.
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I wondered what that was.

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Train safe & smart
Bob

I'm a proud member of the AWA club, me and 14,000+ other athletes. I think if you finished three races and were not in the very BOP, you became an AWA member. I did three races and nothing to write home about and I made it based on total points.

I didn't even know they had a ranking system until today. If you do more than three races, they toss out the worst performance. It's based on the wining time in your AG minus how far behind you were. More like a frequent flyer program.

I wish I could get a separate line for the port-o-john. That would be worth more than a line for registration.

You guys only got bronze stickers?......sorry.

You guys only got bronze stickers?......sorry.
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Gotta up my game :)

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Train safe & smart
Bob

This is the image I had in my head when I read the email...then some guy who looks like Chris Farley parting the sea of people to push his way up to the front.

For the record, I find this whole program pretty funny. Not pissed at all. While most will avoid the attention, I can totally see a percentage of people totally eating this up. I'd rather have a race discount or coupon, early entry to a race that sells out quickly, etc.

Anyone know what the AWA prize is that they are mailing everyone?

Do silver or gold athletes get a bigger AWA sticker on their bib?

Mine came in a box labeled Fra-gee-lay, so it must be something Italian.

anyone receive their "special gift"?

Pretty much how I would go about it.

Actually most of my sign in experiences have been quicker than I expected and therefore ended up with the ok what do we do now awkward conversation with family there expecting me to have some master plan for entertainment... maybe I wouldn't even do it if there was a separate table.

I had a a escort show up at the house unexpectedly. I thought it might have been from WTC even though I'm not an AWA member.

Or she could have been going to the neighbors since none of us really have house numbers that you can see in the dark. But they are pretty elderly so good for them.

According to the GF she definitely wasn't coming to my house.

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

You WIN! "It's a very important award"

Although I'm not AWA, my kids think I'm AUA (All Universe Athlete). To keep up the AUA theme and prestige, on packet pick up tomorrow for a small local sprint tri I plan on practicing my T-0 routine by wearing my favorite tri tech tee, visor with Oakley's on the brim, 310 XT (not turned on) on one wrist, Road ID on the other. Run shorts, CEP Calf Sleeves and my Brooks GTS with speed laces. Guaranteeeeed I'll be able to push the three people ahead of me out of the way as I cut in line to the front.

As an AUA member I don't yell, "On Your Left" a simple "on your back" will do. On the ride I'll pedal up and over them, on the run I'll leap frog over their shoulders.

Boom.

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Why don't we take a 5 minute brake...?

I used the AWA to cut in line at Oceanside. Saved me about 20 minutes. The crew checking me in all stood up and cheered-literally!. Kind of fun. Got a silver sticker on one of my numbers.
As I hate lines, it was cool. Other than that, no big deal.
Like someone else posted in another thread, it is like a customer loyalty awards program. Wish they would give me a discount on races.

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Team Zoot So Cal

I like the two facebook comments on the bottom. haha

http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2014/02/all-world-athlete-awards.aspx#axzz2xrai4LYN

I think it goes wouthout saying that some other AWA members are as follows:

Prince of Bahrain
Gordan Ramsey
Hines Ward
Biggest Loser Girl

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When all is said and done. More is usually said than done
Ba Ba Booey