[/quote]
Someone else mentioned this, but I'd consider the option of a "Kona hopeful" wave that goes at 8:30 or 9:00. There would be a lot more traffic on the bike and run, but presumably thinned out by the time the faster racers started overtaking. Personally, I think it's great that Ironman is for everyone, but I'd rather toe the line directly with the people I'm competing against. Rather like the elite amateur division. WTC could even require a qualifying time in a half-distance race (although they'd probably insist it be a WTC 70.3....)
Downside would be a huge gap between the pros and first amateur finishers.
But letting Kona hopefuls (with different wetsuit criteria) start even 10 minutes before everyone else would certainly improve crowding in the swim.[/quote]
I had mentioned this before myself. There is no reason why they cannot do waves of maybe 750-1000 and start them 5-10 minutes apart going from fastest to slowest. You would seed yourself based upon your estimated swim time and be grouped according to color. So if you are in the "Green" group and you started at 7:05 you have until 12:05 to finish. I think this would allow them to make the groups safer and more manageable and still have that mass start appeal.
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Titanium faces rock!
Someone else mentioned this, but I'd consider the option of a "Kona hopeful" wave that goes at 8:30 or 9:00. There would be a lot more traffic on the bike and run, but presumably thinned out by the time the faster racers started overtaking. Personally, I think it's great that Ironman is for everyone, but I'd rather toe the line directly with the people I'm competing against. Rather like the elite amateur division. WTC could even require a qualifying time in a half-distance race (although they'd probably insist it be a WTC 70.3....)
Downside would be a huge gap between the pros and first amateur finishers.
But letting Kona hopefuls (with different wetsuit criteria) start even 10 minutes before everyone else would certainly improve crowding in the swim.[/quote]
I had mentioned this before myself. There is no reason why they cannot do waves of maybe 750-1000 and start them 5-10 minutes apart going from fastest to slowest. You would seed yourself based upon your estimated swim time and be grouped according to color. So if you are in the "Green" group and you started at 7:05 you have until 12:05 to finish. I think this would allow them to make the groups safer and more manageable and still have that mass start appeal.
____________________
Titanium faces rock!