i was reading another thread about a “crisis” in im races regarding the ability to get an entry spot. some suggested raising prices, adding more races, qualifiying at 70.3 races, and others suggested going to non-im brand races.
whatever your feelings, it’s clear that people will continue to do im brand races for a number of reasons. personally, they are at a price point where i have to seriously wonder if i can afford to do them. so now i’m curious- what is the most you’d pay to race an im event?
Its not just the race fee (400.00), airfare , hotel , car .food etc. For me Its worth it , I run my own business and get one vaction a year. We are so busy with work etc my wife and I dont travel together.In 2005 I did IM Switzerland and whole thing came to just under 3 grand, for 6 nights . 2007 I did IMLP an stayed with a friend who lives near LP.Most of 2008 IM are soldout ,so I my have todo some 1/2’s.Go if you I say.
I think one of the new Slowtwitch polls they are running should include this question. I would be very interested to see the results. Personally, I can’t see paying more than $500 to do an IM.
Well, considering that I’ve already regestered for IMFL, plus the dinners and events, plus the Active.com service fee and I will be getting a whoping $150 back when I withdraw in the next couple weeks, and then I’ll try to re-register for another event sometime in the future, I’d say that I’d pay about $800 just in fees for my first IM.
I just fell bad I can’t give my slot to somebody.
Oh and to answer the question, I would NEVER pay a $1,000+ non refundable (mostly) entry fee a year in advance.
I consider those as separate expenses – the cost of going somewhere, whether it’s a vacation or a race (isn’t a “destination” race a vacation?). So… I wouldn’t be paying $400 to enter ANY race, IM or otherwise (and I’m one of those strange triathletes that has NO desire to do an IM).
Given my current income, I can’t justify it. Hence no IM race for me in the near future. I might sign up for a non IM iron distance at some point but have decided to focus on Ultrarunning next year as even prices for local tris are a little steep for me. Heck I am waffling on shelling out for the Detroit marathon in favor of doing four local smaller races instead for the same price.
i know there’s all kinds of associated costs- travel, hotel, food, etc… all that stuff adds up to being more than the race entry itself.
maybe i should have asked “if the ironman race is in your hometown (no travel or hotel expenses), what is the most you’d pay just to sign up for a race a year away?”
Well, I consider an IM a once maybe twice in a lifetime thing so the current pricing structure could be higher and I’d still pay. Now trying to do one every year would definitely get expensive unless you happen to live close to a specific venue where airfare/hotel would be eliminated.
I think this is the kicker. For some it’s worth a lot more than others and for some the same price is more or less than other. If I was making 10x as much as I made now I doubt that the price of an IM would seem “Steep” to me, even at twice the price. However what I make right now it’s a chunk to bite off.
Also I think it depends on your goals and experiences. If I did another it would be my 3 2/3rds IM. I’d say the first one was without doubt worth it. The next two, not so much. If I signed up for another I would seriously look at other options. Either 101 stuff or non NAS races for less money. Others thrive on the crowds and experience, others are there just to race.
due the math.$470 a person for ironman $20 to active .$250 per person for h.i.m. $20 to active.2500 per event 1 year in advance.its about the money. you get a finisher t-shirt.how much could it cost to run?maybe we should ask the question? How much profit due you need?sounds like every other c.e.o.take from everyone and give nothing but a t-shirt.
While not an M Dot race, I did the Full Vineman last week on the 3 for 2 deal they offer. I paid $230 with no active fee. That seemed just about right. It was about 3 grand less than my total cost for IMCDA in 04. Less hype but the race was just as nice. No more IM brand races for me.
Just in case I were to win a free IM entry, however, let me go on record that there may possibly be one or more other reasons why I won’t be doing an IM.