They don’t make enough money putting on fulls.

In very simple terms it’s economics. The IM distance just isn’t attracting the number of athletes it once did. The 70.3 attracts more athletes and is easier and cheaper to produce.

My guess in a few years there will only be six IM races in North America besides Kona: Texas, Florida, Arizona, California, Cozumel, and Lake Placid. I don’t see how Canada, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Chattanooga are going to survive.

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

Maryland just signed a 5 year extension deal.

Ironman has a clause in the agreements they can terminate the race if there are insufficient number of entries. 1,150 racers this year and weather related issues (again) aren’t exactly marketing advantages. Barring a big turnaround in 2024 I wouldn’t wager money on it being back in 2025.

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

Thanks. WI is the only one within driving distance so I'd better sign up while I can.

It’s so hard for me to wrap my head around this, as I volunteered at Chattanooga to get on site sign up for the race many years ago because I thought it might sell out. It seems like a lifetime ago!

I’d move Maryland to May. It shouldn’t be too hot then (for the people worried about that) and would avoid the yearly hurricane crapshoot.

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Let food be thy medicine...

Except that the very popular Eagleman70.3 is early June in the same location.

I think if Cambridge could only keep one, it would be Eagleman.

They need to do something to fill in the gap between Texas and Lake Placid. Chattanooga and Maryland are the obvious candidates due to being further south and warmer water that time of year but the 70.3 races are in May and June respectively. Not sure what the pros and cons would be to swapping the IM and 70.3 dates.

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

Yeah that’s why I said move Maryland. I could be wrong but thought I’d heard in the past they don’t want to move Chatty to spring because the river swim would be less predictable.

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Let food be thy medicine...

I did Louisville (full IM) in October 2018 and I thought it was a shit show. Aside from the weather which was nasty (7c at start time) and raining, a shortened swim, after an hour and a half delay, a bike course that included roadworks, sharing a single lane with busses and some doofus in a truck, coal rolling the bikes. 500 didn't finish the bike, and pickup trucks rolling by full of bikes. The run was fine, but the finish was miles from T2 and you had to find your own way back. Thank heaven, somebody smart had hot soup during the run and after or I would never have made it out of there alive. The presentations the next day were under an overpass FFS.