Ironman Bid Proposal Update

September 2, 2004 - Bob Tubbs, Owner, Cedars Bed & Breakfast <--- email link

Well folks, I believe it is finally going to happen. If I were a betting man, I'd give exceptional odds that we will have our first Ironman event in September, 2005 so start training. Our goal is to host two years of a 1/2 Ironman (2005 & 2006) which would then position us nicely to take over the current Florida full Ironman in 2007. This approach also helps us ease the community into what Ironmans are all about.

We had final approval from the Virginia Department of Transportation last month. The final challenge came when the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) was not sure if they or Ironman North America, who is a franchisee to the WTC, would manage and execute 1/2 Ironmans.

In a conversation two weeks ago with Ben Fertic, WTC President, he told me that the WTC has decided to do 1/2 Ironman and not Ironman North America. They are exceptionally excited about having Williamsburg as a venue. As it turns out, Ben lived and worked in the area and is very acquainted with the venue.

Their plan is to market 1/2 separate from full events and to hold the World 1/2 Ironman Championships in Berlin. This would be similar to Hawaii hosting the full Ironman Championships.

The next step for us is to cost justify 1/2 Ironmans (which we are in the process of doing now) and to schedule a meeting of the players hopefully sometime in the next two or three weeks. The slow down is that between last week's Canadian Ironman and the upcoming Wisconsin Ironman, everyone is traveling and very busy on the Ironman side.

Throughout this process, many of you have asked me about how you can help. Well, here is how. I have set up a discussion board at http://www.cedarsofwilliamsburg.com/board/. I'd really like to show how much support there is for this event in the community and area. Please share your thoughts. I'd love to share them with the Williamsburg community leaders, the WTC and Ironman North America.

I'd also like to know of anyone in the Williamsburg area who might like to schedule regular training with the goal to prepare for these upcoming Ironman events.

Thanks for your support. Bob