What is the cost of holding a IM race to the RD? Does anyone have a guess or know, just curious. Of course one thing that could change it would be if people stopped paying it but I see that like I see pro sporting event tickets… it never seems to stop. Sure there are people like me who will not pay $60 or $70 for seats at a hockey game etc but there is always someone who is.
The other market force to consider is other organizations slowly building a following, like many of the race already mentioned. If racers support those races eventually they will take a share away from the mdot races. Reading the IMAZ thread there is already conversations about why one RD host a race at the same time or close to another big race and this is where the decision of racers will start to have an effect.
The “average man” conversation about leaving slots open in Mdot race is pretty funny to me. I know this group tends to be higher on the economic scale as a generalization but when you start talking about the cost of a race, travel, lodging not to mention equipment I am not sure there is much “average” about it.
The best part is the races are well-organized (at least the Trisport ones are - they’ve been at it for many years; Multisport is still in the growth stages) and they are relatively small - the largest ones have about 6-700 with an average of about 400 per race.
Perhaps because there are 2 competing series, the price is a bit lower, but I think the main reason is that both companies seem to care more about putting on high quality races then they do simply about making money (I think the organizers in both are also triathletes).
You need to look up the definition of a monopoly. They certainly have the largest market share, but they are not a monopoly. It appears that their competition is growing in both strength and size.
You also need to look up the definition of price gouging. I don’t think that it is technically possible to price gouge a race.
What possible reason does WTC have to be in business? To further the happiness of Brian286? The question should be why haven’t they raised prices? What reasonable business sells out their entire years product in 24 or 48 hours and doesn’t raise prices? Come on man, this is Economics 101!
You mention a steep ramp up of costs, I don’t follow m-dot races that closely and was not aware that there has been a steep ramp up?
I am voting with my feet. I have done 4 IMNA events; both California IMs and IM Utah and the 1/2 Utah. The cost of my first IM CAL 2000 was I believe $350. That seemed reasonable to me. But not $500, plus you have to pledge your first-born and sign-up one year in advance to just be one of the masses. Then hope to qualify for Hawaii to get to the hallowed ground? Where it has turned into a circus. Where the TV announcer for dramatic effect talks of the “strength in numbers” of the pack chasing Norman Stadler. The great days of Hawaii are over.
Like a previous post mentioned, there are alternatives. Since my first year at the IM distance, 2000, I have done the full Vineman every year since then. This year will be my fifth consecutive. Needless to say, it is my favorite race, of any distance. Just as satisfying as any IMNA event for me. As far as the cost this year, started at $255. Curently $275. Heck, you can wait until the week of the race and pay $335. It comes down to respect. Sure I can afford $500. $1000 would’nt break me either. But I would feel insulted to pay that amount. That is not “satisfying”.
IMNA (Graham in particular) has tremendous concern for the athletes and makes every effort to provide safe courses.
On top of that, after the Utah incident, IMNA provided entries to a number of other races (Vineman, IMUSA, IMWis).
Utah was a tough time for everyone involved. However, I’ll play the odds and bet on WTC/IMNA anytime.
Even if the only motivator is “the evil business empire” many of you seem to abhor, the reality is that the business is successful because their product is still unparalleled. This may change as other RDs enter the arena, but I wouldn’t bet against WTC’s ability to weather the storm, improve their product further, and continue to dominate long-course race promotion for the foreseeable future.
Besides, when it is all said and done, the entry is the LEAST expensive part of your Ironman training/race experience.
I should have put this in my original post, I have not yet done the full IM distance, but when I do, I have no plans to do an M-Dot race. I’m currently racing 1/2 IM - I’ve done one Hawaii qualifier b/c it was in the town where my brother lived. The other 2 races are both local races. If I had to choose an IM right now, it would either be Duke or UltraMax.
The fees will go as high as people are willing to pay. Cost does not appear to affect the market. My race is $255 IM $155 Half-IM. www.thegrandcolumiban.com. I am committed to providing much more value and a better experience for the athlete than anything IMNA does (which I don’t believe is all that difficult). Better course, more schwag, great announcer, amazing community support While some of my costs are much less because of the location – I also do not have the level of sponsorship IMNA does which defrays a tremendous amount of actual race expense. Nor do I have the $50,000-$150,000 paid by the community just to be the host of the race. But,as a first year race, registration has been slow and steady but slots are still avialable for both races. It makes me wonder exactly what factors most athletes are using in choosing which races to prioritize.
For the cost of the IMNA events with the high entry fees, minimum stay over priced accomodations plus if you aren’t a local the cost of travel you may as well try out some of the European races or if you like a late season race IM Western Australia in November…my plans for next season.
For the cost of the IMNA events with the high entry fees, minimum stay over priced accomodations plus if you aren’t a local the cost of travel you may as well try out some of the European races or if you like a late season race IM Western Australia in November…<<
No kidding! That’s why I go to New Zealand. Plus, you get to experience something DIFFERENT! Not the cookie-cutter IMNA experience. And really, just how many people of the 1,000 are ~that~ close to qualifying for Kona?
I’ve done Ralph’s, which is IMNA, but have no urge to do any of their other races. Instead, I’ll go to Ultramax or Vineman or IronOtter’s new race (if I weren’t already doing UM). Also on my list is the new IM Western Oz, IM France, Almere in the Netherlands and Roth.
I think that we may have reached some form of psychological tipping point - not an actual tipping point, where you will see action in anyway, but the very fact that it is being talked about is the start of the process.
There is no question that the cost is starting to get to the point that there are some/many who are starting to at least think, “this is too expensive for me.” However, as Alison White points out in a recent Slowtwitch Column, the entry cost for an IM is still rather small compared to the total cost( equipment, training, gear, travel etc . .) of getting to an IM starting line. As she says, this is the dirty secret that no one on the sport really addresses - let’s face it it’s an expensive sport. You will not find many people toeing the starting line at an IM who make less that $50,000/year. Frankly, I think that WTC and IMNA have been conservitive in the increases that they have made. They could have boosted entry fees substantially more, but they have not.
How high can/will entry fees go? It’s a great question and I think that it is dependant on where we are in the buisness cycle for this. Remember, it was less than 10 years ago when there was only one IM event in NA( IMC) and you could actually enter that race up right up until a few months before the event! Strange, but true.
Correct me if I’m wrong (and I’m sure you will), but WTC gives 100% of the proceeds after the bills are paid to YMCA’s across the country. That is orders from the Gills who actually own Ironman. Am I wrong? I would like to think our money is going somewhere good.
Mitch and Graham are definitely related. I don’t remember the exact relationship, but I know they are family. I think that is a large part of why the Subaru Triathlon series that Mitch runs in Ontario has the monopoly on IMNA qualifying spots in Ontario, and the fact that Graham started up the series himself some time back before passing the torch on to Mitch.
I won’t dispute any of the other statements though. They are all well run, with competitive fields, but not overly large, and attract some world class pro’s to some venues (thinking Muskoka Long Course in particular). The value from the series entry cards is good too.
"So for me, it’s not a dollar amount, but a question of spending my money on organizations who take care of the athletes and put their safety above $$$. At that point - not $400 or $1000, but when I realized it’s more about the money than the people for IMNA, I started looking for more out of the way races. "
If you knew what sort of effort and work went on behind the scenes to ensure athlete safty and IMNA events, I am sure that you would have a different view.
Hey speedo…I live in Hamilton too…drop me a note if you’re headed this way. As a side note…both of those series have double weekends. Where they have a sprint one day and an oly the next. If you planned it right (and knew Mitch…who is in fact Grahams brother and really cool guy) you could wind up doing nearly 24 races (in 20 weekends) for less than$600CAN. Like I am planning on doing…again…this year. Managed to sneak in 18 in 18 weeks last year. Trying to make up for being injured and off all of 2002.
I think you are right. And as Team In Training moves further into triathlon…ironman will benefit and more current triathletes will move to other realms…more adventure racing, longer distances…taking it to the next level.
The Lake Louisa Sprint Triathlon Series in Clermont has 6 races for $100.00 - $16.66 per race. Has to be the best deal in North America! Go to www.usat-ntc.com for information. Plus the series has prize money for elite athletes! Z