I’ve read just about every post I could find. I’d like to do it in '09. Here’s what I know:
Will the demand be as high as it was for 07?
With a family and job, this will probably be a ‘once in my life’ event, though I will train hard for it. Because of the comments on ST about Canada, it seems like the nicest once in a lifetime venue.
–Qualify
–Fly to Canada and wait in line
–Lottery?
–Community Fund Spot
Is that it? Is there no way to just sit at my computer at a certain time and day and hit the right keys?
I live in Northern Nevada. I know I could do the full Vineman, but I think I should do the ‘event’
If you don’t want to do Community fund, or go stand in line do IMCA 70.3.
From what I understand is that if you show up at the awards cermony and want a slot for a NAS race - you’ll pretty much get it.
If and when I do IMC that’s what I’m going to do (unless i need a tax break). I can fly to San Diego for the weekend, race, and pay for the IMC entry fee for not much more then the community fund slot.
seems like they have been changing the process for IMC the last few years. The best way in the past was to have someone sign you up. Sounds like they’re not going to do that this year. I have a friend in the same situation as you. He’s headed to Penticton to watch this year and register for next year. Generally, if you go up there and wait in line, you will get in.
The community fund isn’t a bad way to go. Its basically an extra $500, but it is tax-deductable and it goes to a good cause. Penticton isn’t a particularly cheap place to visit. You’ll blow through that $500 pretty quickly if you’re buying a flight, rental car, hotel etc.
Its a clusterf*%$ but I don’t see IMC changing the tradition of waiting in line the day after.
There has never been an instance (to my knowledge) of someone standing in line and not getting in. Even last year, when it was rumoured that 2007 would sell out in no time due to the 25th anniversary of the race, there were lots of spaces left. People camped out overnight (they always do) but one could have strolled up to the terminal at 14:00 on the day after the race and gotten in.
Unless they’ve changed the policy for 2008, you can also get a buddy to sign up for you.
Qualifying isn’t that tough if you do it at one of Joe’s races, http://www.outbackevents.ca although that is cutting it pretty close…
I was curious enough that I sent NAS an email about it last week (I haven’t heard back), because I wanted to have a friend sign me up for IMC ’08.
It’s a bit ambiguous as to whether the discontinuation of the policy of having a friend sign you up the day after was temporary for the 2007 race entry, or is it a permanent policy change for years to come. Based on these two links:
http://www.ironman.ca/info.php
See the third question under the Entry section. “Beginning with the 2007 race entry…” This implies that it is a permanent change.