…Ironman Las Vegas! Had a really interesting conversation with two local race directors (both are very active in the community, plan and participate in many events). Here is what is in the works from what they said…Ironman Arizona in April 2008 will be the last April race in Arizona (so IMCDA announcement a few months ago was almost right). 2008 will have two Arizona races, April and November. From that point forward Arizona will be a November race. April 08 will have normal amount of Kona slots, but Nov 08 race will have limited number of Kona slots about 17. Ironman Nevada/Las Vegas will take place beginning April 2009 at Lake Las Vegas. Swim will be at Lake Las Vegas, bike will be at Lake Mead (they are proposing a city bike route, but that most likely will not get approved), and run will be a three loop course around Lake Las Vegas neighborhood (this is a very hilly area).
I know the IMAZ rumors have been floating around for quite awhile and I had heard the Nevada rumors from a couple of other people, but not from two people with this reputation/industry knowledge. Take it for what its worth, but I think this scenario would be a blast! West coast people still get an early season race, since we are not cooped up all winter long. Plus that adds another late season race to the event schedule…not sure how dates would line up with IMFL.
No disrespect, but if it were going to happen, I think it would have already. And the way WTC is going, I doubt that Ironman North America is going to be doing any new events in the united states. An East Coast Canadian race makes more sense. Also, I think the reason for IMNA wanting to get away from a southwest April event is because the rest of the country can’t train for it during the winter. My question for the marketing geniuses at IMNA is why would you cancel a spring Arizona race, to go to a remote location in Nevada? Doesn’t seem to make sense. But I’ve been wrong before. Only once however Too many things just don’t add up.
Ho Humm … you’re right, the rumor of the IMAZ change to the fall has been around for 4 years now and has been false every time … so why should we believe it now?? IMAZ is sold out for 2008 … and why if its fault is the early date in the year would things be better by a LV race instead. Nice rumor I guess … but that’s about all to say about it.
Next rumor … IMAZ is replaced by IM Anchorage in February … for all the worriers, it will be wetsuit legal if you can break through the ice!
Dave
I personally jsut think that a lot of people want to do IMAZ, but are jsut to big of wimps to train in the winter for it - so they try and start rumors to put pressure on NAS.
Ho Humm … you’re right, the rumor of the IMAZ change to the fall has been around for 4 years now and has been false every time … so why should we believe it now?? IMAZ is sold out for 2008 … and why if its fault is the early date in the year would things be better by a LV race instead. Nice rumor I guess … but that’s about all to say about it.
It would seem that the single biggest factor in staging an IM is the host community’s schedule. Tempe & Pima Maricopa would have to want to move the race to the Fall before IMNA would. Seems that April is a good time for that community as I’ve never seen a lot of other events at that time. Maybe, not…
Combine the host community issue with the capacity of IMNA staff to deal with each venue (a few weeks intensive lead-in for each race?) and the logistics of moving their race gear from place to place, and one would think that they are pretty locked into whatever schedule they currently have.
Has anyone seen changes with IMNA since they changed their name to NAS, ostensibly because they wanted to expand into other, non-IM events? They seem to have more staff at races, but that would seem to be short-term contract people who likely get paid by increased revenue from each venue (as experience had probably taught NAS how to get more revenue pre race.) NAS doesn’t seem to do anything other than IM’s, which I assume is just fine since it is probably a good business.
All I’m saying is, the domain was not purchased until about 30 minutes ago. This is 30 minutes AFTER I posted that they hadn’t been purchased yet. Not saying it means anything. Just an observation. You can’t see who purchased it…yet.
NAS or WTC…I don’t know really didn’t even think to ask. I never really follow the politics of the races that closely. For me I just enjoy racing in both locations (NV & AZ). Living in Las Vegas now and growing up in Phoenix I just thought it was really interesting. My other thought was about SOMA. I really enjoy that race and if Ironman moves to Nov I would hate to see it hurt that event…unless it was placed just far enough our for a good tune up race.
Too many things just don’t add up.