Just remember, if you sign up for a 5150 race, there’s a 30+% chance it will get cancelled with no explanation nor info release. It will just disappear from the 5150.com site one day, just like 5150 Provo, Lake Las Vegas, Lake Lanier, Clearwater Finale…etc.
Eh… the races they purchased (or whatever they did with the races that were already in existence) did better than the ones they tried to start up on their own. At that price, and being that it is a pre-existing race, it will probably do just fine.
Just remember, if you sign up for a 5150 race, there’s a 30+% chance it will get cancelled with no explanation nor info release. It will just disappear from the 5150.com site one day, just like 5150 Provo, Lake Las Vegas, Lake Lanier, Clearwater Finale…etc.
Yeah, and don’t count on it being a triathlon either (Nola)
Definitely wait until 2-3 days before the event to books flights and a hotel. I emailed them before Clearwater, asking if the race was still going to happen. They said yes, so I registered, and booked flights and hotels that evening after work. Approximately 12 hours later they canceled the race. WTF.
The bad part is that if you have to cancel 3-4 flights per year and the airline doesn’t offer refunds or charges large change fees…if you can’t afford that you really are taking a gamble in planning these trips. All I would ask is that WTC informed people of what is going on, explained why they are cancelled, etc. instead of acting very unprofessional and simply erasing all info on their website about the existence/plans for these races. No need to be scared an hide, WTC.
What I find worrisome is that these are qualifiers for the Hy-Vee AG Championship races. If I base my season on qualifying and racing Hy-Vee and the qualifier is canceled, I’m sort of screwed. Due to other obligations I can’t easily reschedule things. A PITA and the reason I won’t be at Hy-Vee in 2012.
Agree completely. For Clearwater they claimed it was low participation numbers, and that they were going to lose money. There were something like 800 people registered though. While small compared to a New York or Chicago or Philly - it’s still a sizeable race, and difficult to imagine it being completely and utterly unprofitable, especially at 175 or 200 or whatever it was.
That website is terrible. The date is nowhere to be found. Yes, I know it is 183 days away (according to the “clock” at the top), but geez, just put the date somewhere on the website (the home page, maybe?)!!!
4 races cancelled of approx. 11 scheduled. 4/11=.36x100 = 36%
One could argue too if it’s a new WTC race there’s about a 0% chance it will happen (unless its in Europe)…though if it’s an existing/newly WTC owned/operated race the % is very high. Choose wisely
It’s interesting that WTC doesn’t seem to have a long term perspective. It the # of entrants is 800 and say 900 are needed to break even financially, why not put on the race. Invest in the future. Does any race/investment become profitable day 1? Not often. You think Rev3 is profitable from this years # of entrants? No way. They have a goal after 5 years to become profitable… And they don’t have a fraction of the backing/funds WTC does. Just some interesting things to think about, but Im not the WTC decision maker, I’ll leave it up to them. Just leaves them with upset people & another cut at their reputation, but I assume they see it worth it or races wouldnt be cancelled.
I will let you know that 5i50 Kansas City doesn’t fit into your speculations. It will 100% occur on May 20th just as it has for the past three years
Pretty sure that KC athletes can fill you in on the event…it is a high quality event with a strong track record…that will only get better now that it is a part of the 5i50 Series.
YES. Quality race put on by quality people. Great location and venue. Yes we can have thunderstorms in May in Kansas City, but that is part of racing in the midwest during spring/summer. Other than that, I wouldn’t see any reason why the swim would be cancelled or the race cancelled. I believe that this race sells out too and I would bet 1 peppermint GU that it sells out for 2012.
One amazing thing at the Kansas City 5i50 is that the Top 5 in each age group…will receive a comped entry into the HyVee 5i50 Championship.
So let’s see…sign up for a high quality event for $50…place top 5 and receive a free entry to one of the best events in the world that is just up the road 3 months later. Seems to make sense for athletes…even ST’er’s;-)
Also…forgot to note that there will also be a IronKids event the day before the KC5i50. It will be held at the same venue…last year we had over 450 kids that raced in the first year in KC…hoping for 600 kiddos in 2012!
I did this race last year and felt really sick before the race and they let me switch down to the sprint about a half hour before. Hopefully it doesn’t turn into WTC method of running races I was planning on doing this one again.
