Interesting graphic done by Canada’s national newspaper analyzing the cost of doing an Ironman:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/i-am-ironman/article14815416/#dashboard/follows/
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Don’t let your wife see that.
And most of us can’t wait to sign up when registration opens. Now what about that budget crisis that’s going on?
Kind of a neat breakdown. But the total, while substantial, is still significantly lower than when I was into motorcycles and took them on the track (with resulting repair bills). Also, as a mid life crisis, much less expensive than the car I would have bought or the life ending decision to try for a trophy woman.
But, more expensive than the RC hobby I had for awhile or a few other things like hiking.
And, at least this endeavor has health benefits.
I added up basic stuff like nutrition and wear items like tires, chains, casettes, shoes and it added up to almost $3000. That’s doesn’t include other items I need this year like a new saddle, pedals, trisuit, travel case. All that included and its’ $4000. Add another $1600 in entry fees for the event + 6 other races. Then figure in maybe another $5000 for travel to those races (only 1 requires flying and 2 are local). So my overall budget next year will run a little over $10k. Defnitely not a cheap hobby.
Unimpressed. They’re rolling a lot of one-time expenses like the bike into the cost. Neat to see, but not really that representative of nonfixed costs. You could have a field day with nearly all activities by doing that, including running. (Ok, not quite as much of a field day, but you get the point.)
$1,900 for nutrition? Are they eating caviar? I figure closer to $50-100 a year for me depending on what races I am doing.
Much of that is the first time cost of equipment. When my wife went to Kona it was relatively expensive due to travel/accommodation. When she does IM Tremblant next year it will be much cheaper since its only a few hours away.
oh come on. no one need to spend money on anti fog. Just spit into your goggles. That’s $5 saving right there.
X 12 for legacy slot = eBay entry is cheap!
I’m just impressed that the Globe &Mail picked this up. Kudos to them.
Interesting graphic done by Canada’s national newspaper analyzing the cost of doing an Ironman:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/.../#dashboard/follows/
Like others have said, many one-time costs. Also a lot of extraneous crap that you really don’t need (and that I’ve never used) in there. A lot of their prices are far overpriced as well.
I’ve actually kept track of my triathlon-related expenses the last two years (minus the food part, as I eat regardless, though much less if not training I guess). My totals are nowhere near even their minimum for an entire season. I can post them if anyone is interested.
$1,900 for nutrition? Are they eating caviar? I figure closer to $50-100 a year for me depending on what races I am doing.
That is for training to do the races not the actual races. I could easily see that being reasonable if you include gels and powders for training plus the additional calories you burn during than training you need to eat more which costs more.
If you burn 600-1000 calories/hour while training and train 10 hours a week, that’s 6,000-10,000 high-quality calories you need to replace above normal. Even if you ate junk food at about $3/1000 calories, after 50 weeks that’s $1000-$1500 of extra food you need. Since they also included pool passes as a cost of training, that may be what they meant by the nutrition item.
After I quickly posted the link Steve, i had some time to think about the graphics et al, and what stood out was the fact that the Globe and Mail had something on their website a few days before the big race. You or Dev or someone with some writing credintials should see about writing up a race report for the common Canadian athlete, and getting a paid trip to Hawaii.
Edited for gross late night Friday spelling.
Great weather wishes to everyone in Hawaii.
I would guess unless you are from here, the average person spends between 3-8 K $ depending on the party size to do Kona. That is just the trip. Forget about all the Gu, Gatoraide, Starbucks, beers, sunscreen, body lube, Jamba Juice, travel,hotel and entry fees you used to get here. It ain’t no poor mans sport.
I see two major misses for the budget,
- What it cost if you even enter the merchandise tent
- Cost of pre and post race activities