yep; i’d love for an economist to pick apart the sport a bit.
There are all sorts of economic principles and factors at play in this situation. I’ll mention a two just for interest’s sake.
Ironman/WTC have put themselves in a position where they have a product that can’t be substituted. They run the ‘world championships’, and like another poster mentioned they’ve got the ‘You are an Ironman’ tag that others simply do not. They took a big part of what attracts people to triathlon (recognised accomplishment, i.e. ‘I’m an Ironman’ or ‘I competed in a World Championships’) and branded it.
People putting together new races face large barriers to entry. If demand for triathlon races is high enough, you’d expect new races to appear. But it’s hard to put together a new race - you have to find a course, get approvals, insurance, volunteers, market to athletes, etc. etc. etc. and from the sounds of things there’s not a lot of money to be made anyway.
So the basic situation is that whatever you’re looking for (local race or the whole Ironman/WTC experience), supply is limited, so when demand increases, prices will just go up.
Other relevant concepts include things like economies of scale, regulatory burden, seasonal demand, network externalities. A whole bunch of behavioural economics concepts could be used to explain the increase in demand for these races.
I would say that if you wanted to get the prices for races down, you shouldn’t look to Ironman/WTC, but lobby your local governments to create laws that facilitate endurance sports events (cite health benefits for general population, $ benefit of people coming to the area etc.) and lobby your local triathlon federation to begin assisting event organisers to create new events (particularly with the legal/liability side of things).
This year the RD for Challenge AC held two training days with led and supported bike previews for both the half and the full. Afterward I bet most of us spent $$ eating at the local establishment that let us use their parking lot. It was so much fun talking with others training for that race, talking about what other events we’d done, finding out who we knew in common. I can’t imagine the RD made money, since there was no charge and we got a free beer if we stayed to eat. But a wonderful sence of community was fostered that day. I’d pay to do that again. But that was for a 70 or so mi preview of a 112 couse. I wouldn’t pay to bike less than 50 miles if it weren’t a race. Similarly, I don’t tend to pay to run a 5k or 10k because I can too easily run that without the crowds, the t shirt or the finishers medal that has no meaning to me.
So I guess my suggestion would be to run training bricks if the distance is overall shorter. There are few places for public open water swimming where I am, so I think pairing swimming with biking would work in NJ/South East PA. Maybe that’s not the case in Ontario…
Dollars are relative, but yes I find racing to be expensive. With three in college, it really puts the pinch on me and I really enjoy local sprint races that I can do for $50-$60. There aren’t many “small” races that do Oly’s and above unfortunately. Numbers for these races are on the decline for sure and I’m not sure about Ironman branded races since I’ve never done one, nor have I been to one. To me it would seem given these low cost races are falling apart with dwindling numbers says it isn’t solely a $$ issue. I really enjoy triathlons but I’ve considered jumping into other sports because like swimming, biking and running by themselves because the race costs are much less… as some of my roadie friends point out I’d probably make money at cycling events.
What has happened in Houston is pretty interesting. There has been a large increase in the number of races. but the tipping point was met because two of the longest tenured races are gone (sugar land try and Tejas - actually I heard Tejas is gone, is it for certain?).
i think in a few years we are going to be left less local races, but the quality is going to be much higher. Obviously I have a bias but the onurmark races and the TROIKA races are really well run. I personally like the low frills approach - I’ve done an Andy Stewart every year - but I understand that the mass appeal for that kind of race is low.
In the end what I think the data supports is that people want an event, not just a race. And an event costs more money to put on and, well, more money to enter…
In the end what I think the data supports is that people want an event, not just a race. And an event costs more money to put on and, well, more money to enter…
+1
IMO, for most people, a necessary part of what classifies a race as an “event” is for it to be instantly recognisable to their colleagues at work. They want to be able to say the name of the race and that be all the explanation required.
That means a brand name, and “Ironman” is the sole player in the tri world with a big enough brand to have permeated the layman’s vocabulary (perhaps Challenge to a lesser degree).
I believe it’s why Tough Mudder etc have become popular, the name itself explains the challenge due to the level of branding.
This also explains why local races can often never compete, no matter how much of an “event” they put on. These races just don’t carry the casual kudos.
My understanding for Tejas is that the water treatment plan for the lake is changing and the lake will no longer be safe/acceptable for swimming. I believe Out-Loud would have continued putting on the event but unfortunately lost the swim venue. Hopefully they come up with an alternative - maybe moving the swim down to Sugar Land Memorial Park.
Onurmark seem to hit a sweet spot between the big event feel and production values providing the right balance between competitive races and great support for first timers. They appear to go from strength to strength - and having branched out into putting on a running race series now have an avenue to maybe encourage straight runners to try a triathlon - a smart marketing strategy. They are not the cheapest in the area but are well worth the cost.
I think Andy Stewart’s events cater to a different crowd - he definitely markets his events as beginner friendly and the smaller scale does make them very welcoming. They are well put on and serve as a great entry to the sport - 23 years and going strong so he must be doing something right.
I believe there is room and a need for all these different types of events because they serve different needs. As in everything in life you pays your money and make your choice. I’d like a Porsche but I drive a 12 year old Ford. I’d like to enter IM events but I enter local events.
Life is not fair I guess #firstworldproblems
I think Andy Stewart’s events cater to a different crowd - he definitely markets his events as beginner friendly and the smaller scale does make them very welcoming. They are well put on and serve as a great entry to the sport - 23 years and going strong so he must be doing something right.
I agree that Andy does things right. But, Andy lost memorial hermann for his sponsorship for his summer race so that race is no more. And his numbers for TriAndy’s are only okay. SOOOO: sign up! I’ll be there!
Sorry to hear about the summer race going away - with the pool swim that seemed a great event for first timers.
Already signed up for the 18th - I’m cheap, so I usually sign up for races a year in advance to get the cheapest entry!
Plus this is my local race - 1.5 miles from my door, so I can ride down to the venue in the morning.
See you there.
I think using Trifind as your data base isn’t going to give an accurate representation. Seems like the WTC races used to be on there, and are not anymore. The big tri series in the Austin area is not on there. I don’t know if they charge or if race organizations just feel like they don’t need to put their races on there. Which is too bad, since I use it a lot to look for out of state races.
I think using Trifind as your data base isn’t going to give an accurate representation. Seems like the WTC races used to be on there, and are not anymore. The big tri series in the Austin area is not on there. I don’t know if they charge or if race organizations just feel like they don’t need to put their races on there. Which is too bad, since I use it a lot to look for out of state races.
That is my concern with the quality of the data, as well. I personally use TriFind as a “go to” for finding races, but I don’t know why it appears to be drying up there. It seems like maybe they hiked their listing fees up in 2013 or something. That leads to the question as to where the best place to find races is, which is a discussion for another thread.
And you put together a hell of a race. I did ETC last year, wanted to do it again this year and then saw a 24% increase. Costs are up 24% in 1 year? Last year’s Ironman Princeton 70.3 was only $20 more. I understand you can get away with it (last year it sold out in 36 hours and I’m sure this will sellout in a week or 2) but come on. Does the cost increase have anything to do with the ETL cancellation?
I think that this is something that we as a ST community can do a good job of actually.
Between us, I’d be willing to bet that we’re aware of the vast majority of races across our geographical footprint (which is pretty big!)
Last year opened at $169 and closed at $229.
This year opened at $189 and currently sits at $209.
This is an 11% increase.
If you compare this race to similar races (in size and scope) Escape the Cape is the clear value leader.
The cancellation of EFL has zero to do with our increase. The increase is due to our consistent investment in what we do in terms of hiring the best staff and investing consistent upgrades to our equipment. What I will tell you is…this event will be set at this price for quite some time. I’d be more than happy to explain the minutia of what goes into an event like this and why things are…the way they are. You know me, you know I won’t BS my athletes. Hit me up any time.
This is one of the things we do, that no one else really does…we try to connect with our athletes prior to the race…without charging them. In my mind, you’ve paid for the race, but you’re not only paying for the race, you’re paying for any organized rides or swims we’ll do leading up to the event…this is included in your reg fee. In my mind, it’s the right thing to do. Why? Because I want you to have a great race.
Here are a few examples:
In 2014, leading up to Escape the Cape Triathlon, we held three swim clinics for newbies and experienced athletes alike. These swims also included lunch and free beer at the local brewery.
In 2015, we did 2 free preview rides for Challenge AC. These rides were fully supported and included a free beer at the local pub (with a lunch special). We also did free open water swims every Tuesday night in Wildwood Crest, NJ. These swims were staffed with lifeguards and gave athletes an opportunity to get in open water without fear…and for free.
In 2016, we’ve got a ton of stuff planned, and of course, this is included in the cost of our events…which are not cheap, but we believe in the “long” play with our athlete. It’s not just about race day, it’s about the lifestyle.
Here in the southeast it is not so bad for reasonable race fees, even for the big events like IMFL where the price is less than most of the other IM races. We just had a 70.3 local race last weekend with less than 300 total athletes that cost $100 for early registration. Early registration for the Olympic races is $35 to $55 and there are multiple events throughout the spring and summer to choose from.
The biggest problem we have is the summers are simply too hot to have any other than a suffer-fest race, I did a local Oly race last July and the temps were in the 90s before I got off the bike. Makes for some slow times which does not appeal to many people. That forces races into the spring and fall, and there is a lot of competition for weekends with races like IM Augusta, IM Chattanooga, IM Louisville, IM Florida all in a row. The race I did last weekend, the Goosepond Half Distance triathlon (I competed in the Olympic race this year), has had to move multiple times as IM Chattanooga and other IM races came on the scene. Add IM Louisville moving to the fall and the schedule gets even more crowded, especially since Challenge AC and IM Maryland are not too far away for competitors in the southeast.
I like your races. I’ve done AC (3x’s) ESC(thought the wine was a great touch), Challenge AC, would’ve done AC again this past year but you moved it up and it conflicted.
ESC - for a sprint over $200 after you add in tax, active fee and stuff is a bit much. I get all that you do to make your races great and there’s extra cost built in with the ferry. I would’ve passed this year but I had already talked a couple people into it. From your emails it’s almost full and I hope it fills up for you every year. But everyone I knew there last year bailed this year due to the price increase and said they doubt they’d go back. Another 2 friends said no when they saw the fee.
Your other races are a little expensive but worth it. Well as long as they aren’t going up again?
I totally understand, no offense taken. We know what our costs are and what we need to do to make this event ultra safe and fun. Right now, the other events are under a $100 respectively, and as you know, we go the extra mile. With that said, here are my favorite grassroots races 'down the Shore:
Stone Harbor Triathlon, Stone Harbor, NJ: Great sprint race, only 300 people, buffet breakfast, beautiful community and is usually around $65.Avalon Islandman, Avalon, NJ: another great event, all proceeds benefit Tim Kerr Charities. Incredible competition and always a load of swag for the athletes. Again, somewhere between $75-$85.Jersey Genesis Triathlon, Port Republic, NJ: One of the originals around these parts. Lake swim, great cycling, and a single loop run around the lake on pavement. You can always count on seeing the loyal crew at this event, and is about $75 as well.Brigantine Triathlon, Brigantine, NJ: This is the oldest triathlon along the Jersey Shore, I think 28 years running. It’s a classic with a back bay swim (that can really rip), and an always HOT hot. The Brig Fire Department is always liberal to spray down the athletes at the turnaround…which is nice.Tri the Wildwood, North Wildwood, NJ: call me a homer, but this race started out with 250 athletes 13 years ago and has grown into a 1500 person event. Yet, there is a real hometown feel to it and it’s STILL prices under $90…now, if you wait until the week before…you’ll pay much more.
I don’t see Challenge AC on your website right now. Last year I believe it was ? Is there going to be a race this year and are you going to be affiliated with it ?
