I am not really attracted to duathlons, but if participants require this option, Ironman is smart enough to offer it. Good on them. If this experiment proves successful and to maximise revenue in the future, they will probably schedule duathlons alongside existing triathlon events. Ironman is just listening to the customer and following the money, fair enough and pretty nice gesture.
What I don't really get is why people require the option. Assuming you haven’t been able to swim for 1+ year, I think about it in different ways:
- your goal is to be an M dot race finisher. You're afraid you're not going to make the swim at all. Switching to a duathlon is then not the expected accomplishment because you haven't actually completed the race/distance you wanted (how many triathletes are frustrated when the swim gets cancelled or the bike/run course shortened for some reason). So why a duathlon? + you don’t get to show off the M dot tatoo. Does the speaker still say “you’re an Ironman” if you haven’t completed the swim when you cross the finish line?
- you have a time goal in mind for a specific race/distance. It’s unlikely you’ll achieve your time goal given lack of swim training. How does switching to a duathlon help?
- you're super competitive chasing AG podiums or Kona:70.3 Worlds slots. you probably haven't required the option
I really enjoy swimming and like the value that swimming brings to triathlon: open water swimming is very technical vs. riding/running which makes it exciting. In France, where I live, most competitive folks have managed to keep swimming lately, even with pools officially closed (medical exemptions, pretending to be pros, etc.).
Long live triathlon!
As for the option to decide not to swim on race morning, I am not sure how this is practically feasible in races with large fields...?
It doesn't get easier, you just get slower
https://mymsracesironman.home.blog/