It seems Challenge is having a tough time transitioning to North America. From what I know, they do a great job putting on races in Europe and have invested pretty heavily in the Atlantic City race. Large pro purse, some big appearance fees for Macca, T.O. and Rinny, good race directors, and they promise big race features and swag. So why aren't they booming with business and selling out as fast as Lake Placid, Chattanooga, and Florida?
My thought is that Americans are as IM branded as their m-dotted calves. IRONMAN is not commonly known as the brand, rather it is incorrectly recognized as the distance. Does it really matter if you do the distance in a Challenge race or an IM race? It's the same thing, with different event management and title. But the event management and title owns the identity of this distance of triathlon. I like Ironman; I think they do a good job putting on events. I'd like to see Americans give Challenge a chance though, because I think they will likely do a good job as well, and competition among event management will ensure quality and value.
So how can Challenge be given a chance when people want to be an Ironman? It's annoying to answer the questions of 'Are you doing any Ironman races this year?' with 'Well, sort of. I'm doing the Challenge full distance triathlon in Atlantic City.' I like the ring of Ironman, but I think we may need to start referring the 140.6 distance as 'full' to allow other brands into the Americas. The other thing that is helping dilute the Ironman association to full distance is that IM branded halves are Ironman 70.3, and the participants are starting to be called Ironmen... since first time half racers are likely to be offended by being called half ironmen :p
Those are some thoughts. I hope we can bypass the Ironman identity enough to give Challenge a chance.
I also thought I'd start a roll call to hopefully build some hype for the race... Include or exclude whatever you like...
-Relay or individual?
-First full?
-Where are you from?
-Time goal or just finish?
-Anything else?
My thought is that Americans are as IM branded as their m-dotted calves. IRONMAN is not commonly known as the brand, rather it is incorrectly recognized as the distance. Does it really matter if you do the distance in a Challenge race or an IM race? It's the same thing, with different event management and title. But the event management and title owns the identity of this distance of triathlon. I like Ironman; I think they do a good job putting on events. I'd like to see Americans give Challenge a chance though, because I think they will likely do a good job as well, and competition among event management will ensure quality and value.
So how can Challenge be given a chance when people want to be an Ironman? It's annoying to answer the questions of 'Are you doing any Ironman races this year?' with 'Well, sort of. I'm doing the Challenge full distance triathlon in Atlantic City.' I like the ring of Ironman, but I think we may need to start referring the 140.6 distance as 'full' to allow other brands into the Americas. The other thing that is helping dilute the Ironman association to full distance is that IM branded halves are Ironman 70.3, and the participants are starting to be called Ironmen... since first time half racers are likely to be offended by being called half ironmen :p
Those are some thoughts. I hope we can bypass the Ironman identity enough to give Challenge a chance.
I also thought I'd start a roll call to hopefully build some hype for the race... Include or exclude whatever you like...
-Relay or individual?
-First full?
-Where are you from?
-Time goal or just finish?
-Anything else?