Count me in. M-dot tattoos are now a dime a dozen at your local sports pub. I bet I will really impress the chicks with the "exclusive" membership card.

In reality, it is a free market, and I stopped giving WTC my money a few years ago supporting non-WTC race organizers. They will charge it as long as there is someone to pay it.

If I had to stand in line for IM registration with two small children that are hungry and thirsty and only want to "see the M-Dot man" you'd be darn right I would buy the membership. Fast Pass at Disney= happy kids and happy kids= happy mom and happy mom= a dad that doesn't go nuts.

You're right...I wasn't adding in the reg. fee. But I also don't think that every race has Foundation slots. And you don't get the DVD. ;)

it comes w vip pass....i want some autogragh s

I suspect the majority of them would fill by step 4.

Ugh...this really disappoints me. Thankfully I already have an IM under my belt before it costs $5,000 just to register for one. It's just becoming way too prohibitive.

Is anyone actually entertaining the idea of doing this? I was not a WTC-hater but this is really starting to annoy me. That and the fact that the Miami race I'm about to do is a massive clusterf*ck so far so I'm losing faith.

I suppose I'll take my chances at registering online for the next one I want to do. Paying $1500 ($1000 + registration fee) seems ridiculous!

On a larger scale, I think there are enough barriers to entry in this sport for folks who aren't rich. It's expensive to get all the equipment, fitness memberships, coaching, travel, entry fees, clothing, whatever else you spend to get yourself to the starting line. Now they just made it cost THAT MUCH MORE to even be able to PARTICIPATE in their races. Total nonsense, and very exclusionary.

BOO!

HAHAHA - the fact that you even know that exists made me crack up! Now I know what I can ask for X-mass.

Haven't seen you on the roads in Arlington these days!

Community slots are the way to go as overall it's a ton cheaper...maybe they are planning on raising that entry fee after this announcement.

What's unclear is the "filled up" thing since it's a one year membership? So on Oct. 31st 2011, you can register again for it as first come first serve?

Absolutely! They are pumping this thing up as fast as they can, then they'll unload it and watch from the sidelines as it deflates.

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This just motivated me to look into Rev3 events with more interest. I think I read there is one coming to the southeast in 2010 or 2011?

fixed it for ya!

I wonder how much people would pay just to do Kona? I mean open up lets say 100 slots or something. It would be in the same range as climbin Everest or something like that in cost right?

Not really, the IMC community fund price was $1100. The IMAccess only gives you advanced registration you still have to pay for the race.

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"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."

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Total crap. But, let me try to offer up some constructive criticism.
If this $1,000 Membership fee included some version of the following, it might actually make sense:

1. Race transfer is available, with no questions asked. Signed up for IMAZ but broke your leg a week later? You can push your reg out to the following year or transfer to another race that is not sold out.
2. Instead of letting you sign up a week in advance, how about holding out some of these slots to let someone sign up 6 months before the race. I might cough up a little extra money so I don't have to plan things 12 months in advance.
3. Disounted entry into a 70.3 or 5150 race.

You are all haters 'cause you don't have the Titanium M-Dot card like I have.

It's super secret.

And super exclusive.

Even better than the AMEX black card.

I know there are other IM distance that go on through out the US, but is there any other org that can compete with WTC? Being relatively new to Tri's, all I heard at first was IM this and IM that.

I believe if WTC had a little competition that was well known then they would drop their prices on their races (which are supported mainly by volunteers...no overhead cost)

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Never forget those that sacrificed for your freedom.

Sell out. I bet there is no limit to the number of "members". If there is a limit, its probably as high as the total number of competitors in all ironman events.

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Michael

Comical to me that anyone has a problem with this. You have no "right" to affordable triathlons.

Those that can afford to race will...those that can't won't. Seems pretty simple to me. Most of this forum is acting like WTC has some responsibility to keep prices low so the common folk can participate.

I'm also going to send a letter to Bently and tell them their cars are too damn expensive and they should be ashamed of themselves.

I don't even know how popular this will be. I assume it will be like any other VIP program and a few people will sign up who can afford it and guarantee their spot in line. I doubt it affects your ability to sign up for a race at all.

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"1. Race transfer is available, with no questions asked. Signed up for IMAZ but broke your leg a week later? You can push your reg out to the following year or transfer to another race that is not sold out."

That will be next, for only an extra $300. Back to the OP, great news for those that have the money. Those that don't, just makes things harder or time to look at very good alternatives.

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Scott McMillan, M.Sc
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I am not a hater either but I am getting that way. I saw what the WTC did to some vendors in Kona this year and it just about made me vomit..
All that said this is the best post by far,,, ,very creative and even though I read the new fee and laughed, I would be interested if it had the items listed here. Really cool..

They did that a few years ago with charity slots for Kona on e-Bay. IIRC, all went for low five figures.

At least the VIP membership doesn't come with a 'get out of jail free' card for your first minor penalty on course. (Or, shit, did I just give them an idea?)

That isn't a good analogy. When was Bentley selling cars to the masses at affordable prices? Its like Toyota selling the Corola for 20 years, developing a following and then within a span of 18-24 month slowly raising the prices on cars to the point where your original fan base can't afford or can't stomach paying the prices. I'm for capitalism, but in this case I'm not a fan. I guess it is rooted more in personal feelings since as a kid I always dreamed of racing in IM races, especially Kona. I like the idea of bringing new people and kids into the sport and the IM brand draws this. When you put it out of reach for so many people it will begin to put many people off to the sport entirely, not just IMs.

I wouldn't find it as bad if there were more iron distance races in the country. I agree there's no "right", but it I think its an indicator that WTC is far more concerned about the bottom line.

That's perfectly fine, and within their absolute right to do; I would just hope that some of the more aggressive Kool Aid drinkers would stop calling them stewards.

Been done on eBay for charity. Slots went for $30,000 to $40,000 if I remember.

And woo hoo on the VIP pass! I had one last year at IM AZ and you get free food and drink! :-)

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I guess my Corola analogy isn't that good either considering how much competition there is in that category in the automotive world. Triathlon just doesn't have that yet at the IM distances.