Does anyone know if the european Ironman are as quick to well out as the american counterparts?
it’s much easier to get into most european ironman races later (resp earlier) in the year. the only one that i know off that filled pretty quickly this year was im germany.
thanks!
IM UK was full very fast (September?)
IM Germany was full in late October (27th)
QC Roth was full in January
But you can still enter IM Switzerland
IM France and Austria have a entry deadline (April 30/May 31). I don’t know if the were full before.
Felix
IM Austria is also full since a couple of weeks.
Felix,
What’s with Switzerland? Just doesn’t seem as popular as the other European races for some reason. I asked this on Gordo’s forum a while back and got the feeling that people thought Zurich was expensive and you were treated as an opportunity to make cash rather than an ‘athlete’.
Still going there again this year though for some reason. If I continue with IM in '06, I will certainly be going elsweher for my kicks.
JC
Felix,
What’s with Switzerland? Just doesn’t seem as popular as the other European races for some reason. I asked this on Gordo’s forum a while back and got the feeling that people thought Zurich was expensive and you were treated as an opportunity to make cash rather than an ‘athlete’.
Still going there again this year though for some reason. If I continue with IM in '06, I will certainly be going elsweher for my kicks.
JC
JC
I can see where you’re coming from, but honestly I think this is just a cultural thing and doesn’t reflect the real sentiments of the race organisation. In my experience the Swiss seem to have a bit of a reputation for being a little “serious” and possibly even “cold”. But I’m sure this reputation is based on initial perceptions, in reality I have found the Swiss to be incredibly friendly, they just might not appear to be openly welcoming even if this is not the case. I hope this makes some sense, I worked for IronmanLive for IM Swiss last year and found the race direction extremely professional, extremely serious but at the same time extremely caring about the athletes, even if these things are not always evident. Maybe it seems a little serious because the military do a lot of work with race setup and the like, frankly they do an amazing job and the race organisers are very lucky to have them.
I found everyone involved in the race to be genuinely friendly, as compared to someone “faking being friendly”. Best example I can think of from my experience, go into a shop in New York and the sales assistant is the nicest person you’ve ever met, super friendly and your best friend. Now, I’m sure a lot of them are sincere, but certainly some of them are just putting on a show for their commission. Frankly, this is not the European way and maybe this surprises some Americans.
I hope this comes across the way I mean it to ?
I’m sure Felix can elaborate on the race, it’s a fantastic event and the area is just spectacular.
Cheers
Cam
Cost is a reason for sure. Zurich is a expensive town. This is the reason there are not more foreign starters. And Zurich needs starters from other country because Switzerland is small and there are much less triathletes than in other countries with IMs.
I have done IM Switzerland two times and I will probably do it next year again. I like the course better than Roth. And actually the run has more spectators than Roth. For me it is also not expensive because my parents live only 25km from Zurich.
I felt treated as a athlete. There are several ‘parts’ where Zurich is better, offers more than Roth: Pasta Party, finisher area (food, showers, ‘whirl pool’)
I do the olympic tri in Zürich on Saturday and watch the IM on Sunday.
Felix
Give me an encouraging shout when/if you see me. We missed each other last year, but that may have been because you finished a good couple of hours in front of me!
I’ll let you know my race number when I have it!
Any other STers in Zurich?
JC
I’d have to add that I didn’t find cost an issue, the people were indeed very friendly and I had a blast completing my first IM. I loved it.
If asked, I wouldn’t discourage anyone from taking part in this race for any reason - other that its a long day for us M-BOPers!
JC
treated as a opportunity to make cash rather than an athlete?
not sure how this could bother anyone who has done an IMNA race… 
There are Ironman races outside the US? There are countries outside the US?
In all seriousness, I’ve never left the US (i know, pathetic, don’t ask) and I am going to use Ironman as my motivation to (since i’ve already used it as motivation to not be chunky).
Which Ironman should I do? I was leaning towards Germany, since the crowds look amazing, but was told by someone who had been there that Frankfurt is ‘not that great.’
Any advice from you guys would be appreciated. If not, Germany it is! Mach schnell! (sorry, I no thatz not spelt write, stoopid Americen!)
Quelle Challenge, that’s where the crowds are amazing…they are sooo good that even I finish races there
the spectactors in Roth are FANTASTIC! no other word…best race.
Dude, I just dnf’d at a Half Ironman…a Half Ironman! for God’s sake! So enough of that talk. (in my defense I have degenerative disc disorder in my back, and couldn’t feel my legs once I got back onto Disney property)
Quelle Challenge, I thought of that one, but it’s not an official blah blah…does that matter?
Quelle Challenge, I thought of that one, but it’s not an official blah blah…does that matter?
No. In my opinion Roth is more a ‘must-do’ race than IM Germany. The crowds are more or less equal. But I would do/suggest Roth. You can do ‘official’ IM in US. But not Roth!
Felix
sold…thanks guys…
follow up to eganski as I’m thinking of doing Roth - how’s the schwag? t-shirts, goodies, etc (yes, I know, shallow but important nonetheless)? surrounding area for family to do stuff before/after race?
follow up to eganski as I’m thinking of doing Roth - how’s the schwag? t-shirts, goodies, etc (yes, I know, shallow but important nonetheless)? surrounding area for family to do stuff before/after race?
The finsiher shirt was a Newline shirt (functional). Then we received a bagpack with some sponsor stuff. This is similar in most races in Europe.
I was there with my family. Camping on the Waldsee (=forrest lake) was already enough for our small boys.
There is a lake (Rothsee) were you can swim/play with children. The area around Roth is a nice tourist region. You will find enough to do. Unfortunately I can’t find websites in English (everything is German).
Felix