As you recall, they sold out in about 1 minute last year but only had 2,000 total available slots. They opened up another 400-500 slots after the initial registration fiasco. Then, after IMLT this year, another 50 slots happens to be available. Is the reason that it's taking more than 1 day because of all the reasons mentioned so far? Or, is it because there are now 3,000 slots for next year?

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My marathon PR is "under three, high twos. I had a two hour and fifty-something."

Tough mudders are the new IM.

I just did a Ragnar. I actually think that is the new IM.

You are correct sir. And on reflection, more recently Princeton was probably a completely new race. That makes two. I think they folded more than that in those same two years (Providence, Pocono, Branford, Mooseman?), but your point is still valid.

Monterrey and Lake Tahoe are newly created 70.3 races as well.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Also keep in mind that before it tickets went on sale (and sold out) the bike course was advertised at 2100'. Shortly after it sold out it was increased to 3400', which is still a low estimate. Most data that I've seen indicates >4000'.

Not sure if this has an effect on the willingness for people to sign up.

Not that they can do "much" about the elevation profile but I'm assuming they'll fix the 116 mile thing.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

I was one of the people who had their early room reservation at the Sheraton Read House pulled out from under them. Would you believe that the Sheraton Read House Hotel went so far as to send me a registered letter informing me that," Unfortunately, the group block that was committed to a large city-wide group was erroneously booked by individual guests that called our Central Reservations Department." They moved my reservation to the Best Western Plus across town. Later, the instant online registration debacle with a few thousand other folks made my early hotel registration a moot point anyway. This doesn't exactly make me want to go to Chattanooga when IMLOU & IMFL have an equal or better venue without the hotel room monopoly, etc.

Or change the bike course completely.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Cathy, wasn't the reason for this bike course to avoid it being a really hilly course?

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

I think the official reason was that their permit was revoked and they tried to play nice by modifying the course instead of taking the hard stance of "I'll see you in court!" The rumor that I heard was that it was altered because the race was on Sunday and it blocked roads to a lot of churches.

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My marathon PR is "under three, high twos. I had a two hour and fifty-something."

Are you talking about the extra mileage or the whole course in general. Wasn't the reason (speculation) for most of the course being in Georgia was in order to keep it "easier."

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

I was referring to the extra miles. The bike course was always going through GA.

They also reworked the run course from dead flat downtown to add the tougher hills that you've read about. The reason for that was supposedly the old course blocked a few access roads to hospitals.

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My marathon PR is "under three, high twos. I had a two hour and fifty-something."

Yes. Mexico is in North America. I should have been more specific an said US. Tahoe hardly counts. It was a bolt on and it may never happen.