Well said. However, the 140.6 club will argue that he really is an Ironman... blah... blah... blah.
I think I'm going to modify my previous post by saying this. "Being an Ironman" depends on a lot of factors, and I think, is defined very differently by different people.
If we define Ironman by its brand, then you can't be an IRONMAN (TM) until you officially complete an MDot race in the allotted time.
If we define ironman in terms of the "spirit of Ironman," then several factors are gone. Who cares if its MDot? Who cares if its under 17 hours? There's a huge difference between being an IRONMAN (TM) and being an ironman.
Did the guy with a 17:17 embody the spirit of Ironman? You bet. He's an ironman. But by virtue of this performance, he is not an IRONMAN (TM).
I think I'm going to modify my previous post by saying this. "Being an Ironman" depends on a lot of factors, and I think, is defined very differently by different people.
If we define Ironman by its brand, then you can't be an IRONMAN (TM) until you officially complete an MDot race in the allotted time.
If we define ironman in terms of the "spirit of Ironman," then several factors are gone. Who cares if its MDot? Who cares if its under 17 hours? There's a huge difference between being an IRONMAN (TM) and being an ironman.
Did the guy with a 17:17 embody the spirit of Ironman? You bet. He's an ironman. But by virtue of this performance, he is not an IRONMAN (TM).