Doesn’t $150 sound about right to line the promoters pocketbook for a Olympic, Sprint tri, or a Duathlon?
Of course, I’ll bet you didn’t know the promoters (TRI Northwest) are making this claim…Pacific Crest is being dubbed as one of THE PREMIER events of it’s kind in the entire nation. By who?? Maybe Lance is showing up??
Until multisports athletes stand up and say to hell with these outrageous fees, these promoters will continue to laugh at you all the way to the bank…
For those that choose to enter, would you also please send your favaorite oil company a little money to help them through these tough times.
I’ll be honest, I’m not a big fan of AA Sports (the promoters), but you may want to recheck your facts. The $150.00 is for the 1/2IM. The Olympic distance Tri and Du are $60.00.
FWIW the 1/2 is a great course and well run race. I believe they’ve added prize money this year as well.
Is the Oregonian dollar not going that far these days? Great triathlon, awesome venue, and great support. If it’s not worth your dollar, don’t do it. If you want to see a rip off, check out out www.tricalifornia.com. Now those overcrowded events are a different story!
Maybe you should try to put on a race and see what’s involved (time and expense) before you spout off about things you know nothing about. $150 for a 1/2 IM distance race? Sounds like a good deal to me. I doubt anyone is getting rich of putting on triathlons.
I’ve done the pac-crest 1/2 and for the money compared to most tri’s it was a good deal if you consider most sprints are 40-50 and olys are 60-75 in the NW. Last year it was $125. It seems about middle of the road for a 1/2.
What do you think would be fair to pay for 5 hours of pain and suffering?
so is the “hemi” tag along with the oil company jab a bit of a non-sequiter or a joke?
“Until multisports athletes stand up and say to hell with these outrageous fees, these promoters will continue to laugh at you all the way to the bank…”
What would you rather pay for - $150 to play a really nice golf course - 4.5 hours of lost balls and frustration or 5 hours of a triathlon. Hey they don’t even give you free drinks on the golf course when you get dehydrated. Have you seen the price of a beer when the drink cart comes along. $150 is a bargain for everything it takes to put on a triathlon.
This post is so silly I shouldn’t be writing anything, but then again **I’m **silly:
It does suck that it’s now $150 (was $125 last year) but it’s probably the best triathlon in a state of 4 million, so I would agree its a “premiere” event. I’ll be there and I am psyched: It will be my 1/2 Iron debut. I don’t think Tri NW or ‘AA’ sports makes money hand over fist, but they get more professional every year and they do put on some decent events. If you want a cheap event, they are out there, go do them. They are really fun. Just don’t complain when all they have is one water stop, the course is not clearly marked so you get lost and they mess up hand timing
It’s pretty fun. I’ve done the Olympic course 2X and watched the half. If I recall … The water in Wikiup is coolish (usually 62 or so, wetsuit required) … It’s a point-to-point, so you should drop your bike off the evening before (or have someone take you very early or find a way to return to get your car after an exhausting day) … There are shuttles and they bring back your wetsuit and stuff in a big garbage sack (adds a bit of time at transitions, so what) … I know the 1/2 Iron has a lot of climbing (3,000 feet at least) but the last 20 miles is mostly downhill … By the time you hit Sunriver the run will almost certainly be HOT (75 to 90+some years) … the run is mostly on paths and has no hills … It’s pretty popular and competitive compared to most races in the Northwest.
I’ve done the HIM the last three years and will be doing it this year also. Aside from some place exotic I think its probably one of the most beutiful halfs around. You ride around a snow capped mountain passing by alpine lakes. Run along running paths through a large development next to a spectacular river. As for the promoters AA, they basically live out of a mobil home.
I co-direct the Sea to Summit Race in New Hampshire. This 12 hour event is ironman like in its setup but we only allow 40 people to enter. We charge 125.00 and are able to donate over 1000.00 to a local charity after all is said and done. Local businesses are more than happy to donate their products/services for the race. My only true expense is the food afterwards, the t-shirts and the porta toilets (but I am working on the toilets).
I’ve done the 1/2 three times. Considering much of the race takes place in a national forest (need to pay for permits), it’s a 56 mile point-to-point bike course (logistics), and someone has to watch T1 overnight, $150 is not a tremendous amount to pay. That’s probably close to the going-rate for a 1/2, and Pacific Crest has logistical issues.
AA Sports does not look like they are making a ton of money off of their races, and their races are generally well-supported and well-organized. And no, I do not have any affiliation with AA Sports.
Okay, enough of that.
The swim takes place in Wickiup Reservoir, which is usually in the low 60’s. It’s kind of surreal to be swimming and sight off of a mountain. The bike is along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway; the first 36 miles or so is uphill and goes around Mt. Bachelor-I think it’s about 1800’ of climbing, but it is gradual. There isn’t anything really steep. The last 20 miles or so is downhill with the first section pretty fast. The run is on paved trails around Sunriver Resort. It can get pretty hot during the last half of the run, since there is no shade and that’s during the heat of the day. The sun is fairly intense, and there’s nowhere to hide. 2 years ago, it was 95 during the run (but it’s a dry heat ;-)). Since the temperature at race start is usually in the 45-60 range, there can be quite a temperature gradient from start to finish. Bring a hat on the run.
The race is well-supported with a bottle exchange on the bike, and water stations at every mile on the run. It’s a fun weekend for the family, too. My kids did the Kids’ Tri and the Kids’ Dash the last two times I raced.
I wish the race were cheaper, but such is life. Gas costs 2.16 per gallon. Whatrugonnado?
I’ve been torn by this race myself though having done it twice. It is a spectacularly beautiful course with a great swim and amazing bike. The ride to the ski resort on Mt Bachelor is awesome. My complaint is the two very distant from each other transition areas. Dropping your bike off takes a long time since it is so far away and I never found the people running the show there all that friendly. The worst part is the jacka$$ on the microphone who never shuts the hell up on race morning leading up to the race. His incessant yapping about nothing is not what I want to hear when trying to get my head straight before a big race. Also, 2 years ago (the last time I did it) he actually was threatening people about not going here or there within the park. A real peach, this guy. To finish my venting, each time I did this race, I came out of the water to start the bike to find a flat tire! Never before or since, but two for two there? Crazy.
The place is wonderful though, a great event for families, and now - $150.
The Grand Columbian Half will be a better alternative in the PNW. The fees are about the same for early but are all inclusive including no additional charges for on-line registration, USAT day of included (rebate for members). Qualifier for 2006 ITU worlds in Australia. Schwag includes Brooks Podium shirt, running cap., Steve King as the announcer, better overall support (i.e.we rack your bike at T2), better food (salmon post-race)
Mostly joking, but you doubt anyone is getting rich putting on triathlons? I certainly wouldn’t mind being the owner of the Ironman race corporation (whatever their official name is).
I was thinking mostly of small-time RDs (a few races per year) not the CEO of IM. Who knows though? It would be interesting to know what Terry Davis or IM exec make. Might not be as much as you think.
He was incessantly yapping because the forest service didn’t want to let them use the campground after people trampled around and littered the previous year. He does that same thing (never shuts up) at every race.
Last year you could hear several tires blow just before the starting gun went off. I think people blow their tires up when they first get there and it’s cold and it’s 20 degrees warmer or their bike is in the sun by the time the swim is over.
