Around this time of year we see posts from folks about “Pro triathlete X is racing X race”.
Is there anyone who actually cares where the pros are racing and does it affect your decision to race that race?
Just curious.
I don’t care where, and it doesn’t affect where I race. So, no.
I like to watch them race though, and if a race was nearby, I would go and watch if I wasn’t racing.
Do I care if a big pro is doing the same race as me? YES
Does it make any difference what races I do? NO
Never influences my decision.
I’m actually looking for smaller HIM’s cuz I’m getting tired of placing 60th out 300.
I’m hoping Breakwater in Petosky will be like that. First year race at near the same time as IMKY, IMC and IMMoo.
jaretj
Do I care if a big pro is doing the same race as me? YES
If I may ask, why?
I don’t consider myself star stuck at all but for the last 2 years I’ve enjoyed watching the pros exit T1 at The U.S. Open Triathlon in Dallas. The pros take off well before the old men’s age group so there’s plenty of time.
It’s fun to see first hand from a few feet away how it’s supposed to be done but don’t blink or you’ll miss it.
Do I care if a big pro is doing the same race as me? YES
If I may ask, why?
A race like Timberman will get big name pros and they do a Speech and Q&A at one of the dinners. I’ve always enjoyed that and it’s fun to see the personalities of some of these people. They aren’t robots, they’re all so different and, so far as I’ve seen, very nice. If you ever have the chance to see Simon Lessing speak don’t miss it, he’s hilarious.
It’s got nothing to do with race day because once the race starts I’ll never see any of the pros again.
I care. I like knowing who is going to be kicking my ass at upcoming races 
Whether or not I care all depends upon the answer to one question:
Is it Desiree Ficker?
The highlight of my 2008 season was running with Simon Whitfield + Andy Potts + Greg Bennett for about 10 steps as they lapped me at the Lifetime Fitness tri. Shoulder to shoulder, I swear. (OK, maybe 5 steps.)
-Mark
Around this time of year we see posts from folks about “Pro triathlete X is racing X race”.
Is there anyone who actually cares where the pros are racing and does it affect your decision to race that race?
Mark,
Totally selfishly, in my micro little world it’s very important. When I learn that Pro Triathlete Paolina Allan is going to a race, I know that I am going to that race to!!
lol…funny how that happens eh? 
M~
Ummm, I’ll care about who is racing the Austin 70.3 I guess
Around this time of year we see posts from folks about “Pro triathlete X is racing X race”.
Is there anyone who actually cares where the pros are racing and does it affect your decision to race that race?
Just curious.
Yup, I really enjoy the chance to see the pros enter and exit T1 (especially at Oceanside when my wave is so late), then watch their race finish as I’m starting my run. Plus I get the chance to meet some of them, and some of them happen to be friends so that’s a big bonus.
Jodi
Only other pros.
Total non-interest … also don’t care what bike or wetsuit they are using.
Dave
I definitely care. It doesn’t affect my decision to race, but I want to know if I should be on the lookout for Jordan to lap me on the bike course, or know that Danno will have 15min in hand out of the water, etc.
Depending on the course layout and distance, I can sometimes see the leaders on their way to the finish as I’m headed out on the run…
i’m not sure that the “xxx is racing yyy tri” posts are intended to induce additional registrations. some may but i’m sure not all. if so and so is going to do one will that sway me there compared to another event? probably not.
but in general am i interested in whether any big names are doing events i might be at? heck yeah. why would i not have an interest in who is there and who i might have a chance to see or maybe talk with for a bit? some of us, even going on 19 years of doing this, still smile at the thought of being anywhere on or near the course with those who set the pace.