Just got back from the race meeting and Graham Fraser had a lot to sat about the finish line entourages. He said it got so out of hand in Canada the entire city was running down the chute. Most of them had their dogs…
So, no more entrourages. One and only one person can cross the line with you. It can be anyone, but only one. If you have more than one kid, you have to choose which one. Absolutely no dogs! Brining a dog will be a time penalty.
He said if this does not work, they will institute time penalties. They will possibly set up a “dummy” finish line for family pictures at future races.
If you have two kids, sounds like a good excuse to do another IM
Seriously, to elaborate - he said they would try the “one and only one” rule for the next two races (presumably Moo being one of te two). If it isn’t working they’ll go to time penalties.
The “entourage” definitely grows as time goes on. Relatively none under 9-10 hours. A smattering up to 11 hours. Now we get a few to 12 hours. Around 13 it starts getting heavy and is pretty ugly after 14 hours. Not sure what kind of time penalty would be encured, but I don’t think it would make much of a difference either. A nicer finish line venue might help some? I did notice less at IMLou this year than in most others for some reason.
Having another “finish” line for photo ops seems like a pretty sound idea. This isn’t rocket science, people. Cross the real line, then head to the photo stage with mom, dad, three kids, the dog, grandma, grandma’s boyfriend, the housekeeper, the nanny, and whomever else wants to get in on the fun. Everybody gets the picture they want and nobody gets to bitch about being plowed over and having their finisher’s photo ruined.
I was there and as a lawyer, I heard a company concerned about devaluation of the product and also liability (even though that’s what he didn’t say) and looking for a way to make everyone happy - thus, the other finish line idea. Its time has come. He is stalling for time with the one person thing.
The Twitch got an unnamed mention (i.e., there are a lot of posts on this issue…).
I for all agree:
What is wrong with providing a setup for a photo-op after the finish?
Just make it an offical NAS one and not one where you have to pay extra for…
although I wouldn’t be surprised if it would turn out to be that way.
Anyway, I applaud the decision. Makes me feel more like being in a “race”, not a Sunday evening stroll with the family.
That’s one decision with which I agree, except I think it should be NONE. If you didn’t do the 140.599, then don’t do the .001. Do your family photo ops by some landmark other than the finish line.
Maybe they could even let us book only the second finish-line. Say for $200,- … That way people could get a cool photo and wouldn´t have to do an Ironman.
Axel
Having another “finish” line for photo ops seems like a pretty sound idea. This isn’t rocket science, people. Cross the real line, then head to the photo stage with mom, dad, three kids, the dog, grandma, grandma’s boyfriend, the housekeeper, the nanny, and whomever else wants to get in on the fun. Everybody gets the picture they want and nobody gets to bitch about being plowed over and having their finisher’s photo ruined.
Ok, since i was the one that started that whole “Entourage in tow” thread, I feel like i have to say something here.
At the Athlete’s Welcome Dinner, I was glad that they addressed this topic. Although they did not TOTALLY enforce the whole “No non-participant finish”, i was glad that they did something to remedy this problem before it really got out of hand. I just hope that this does not mean that its a green light, telling EVERYONE to bring someone across with u to the finish line.
Glad to hear this!!
I looked back at the finish photos from IM Canada. There were many groups of 4 and 5, and one group of at least 8! And the group of 8 (and some of the other groups) did ruin others’ finishing photos because they didn’t get out of the way.
and several dogs…that’s all I need…having to dodge doggy doo in the finish chute or after, when just walking is sometimes a problem!
YEP…ironman is a race, family as a place in the stand and that s where they belong or behing the finish line. I still think the ‘‘one person rule’’ is too much. It s a individual challenge and i dont care how many people are supporting a athlete in this big adventure… get to the finish line alone or dont do it.
i think that i easily have more people that have support me over the year than any age grouper and it would probably be enough people for me to pack up the finish line from 9h to 10h with my meanigfull people…
it s a race and it s not over until you cross the finish line…
Although I have never finished (or started an ironman) I have watched many of them. It must be very frustrating for those athletes who get “stuck” behind another competitor and possee. If they don’t wan’t to set up a second finish line, why don’t they widen the finish line and have people who want to cross with family / friends (doesn’t matter how many) go to one side, and those who don’t want their final push slowed on the other side.
i guess i m simply again the concept of people with at athlete at ironman. It s a individual event… if you want your family to cross the line with you, make sure they register and that they do the ironman themself and get to the finish line on time with you so you can have that special moment… i have nothing against crossing the line with tons of friends if everyone is in the race… but please… Keep the spectator where they belong… on the side of the course…
I was there last night too and the first thing I thought was this was a good announcement. Then, I got to thinking, what about the guy or gal that is doing thier first and maybe only IM and is fininshing in the upper time zones. Why would they care if they ruin it for everyone else by carrying their entourage over the line with them. If they are doing a one and done then what’s to stop them tomorrow night from doing that. I imagine it will not last.
My bet is that the majority of people with a large entourage will happily take a time penalty and still have everyone cross the line with them.
I thinks so. After all most of them do it ONLY one time to say they did it. Even if you ban them, it’s not going to make a difference.
