What are the hopes that Ironman California will return to a full length race? Seem crazy that California of all place does not have a full length race. Anyone knwo the reasons for it not being held?
I believe the current location had/has course restrictions due to most of the bike being on Camp Pendleton and that prevented it from continuing as a full IM.
Anyone know different?
With IM AZ now, I don’t see an IM Cali in the near future. Especially when you consider the same race directors run both Ralph’s and IMAZ (Huddle & Frey).
California has two ironmans:Vineman and Californiaman, last time I checked they are both ironman distance races. Without the corporate stuff may I add.
There was talk when they cut it back to a half-IM, that it may go back up to a full length IM after they had worked out some logistical issues.
I don’t know any reasons why, other than the obvious that staging an IM race anywhere near a major urban area, creates a huge number of logistical challenges for race managment ( Witness, IMAZ). I note that the best races, for the most part, are located in smaller towns, where there is significant buy-in and support of the event at many different levels. Penticton home of IMC and more recently Lake Placid, home to IMUSA are perfect examples of this.
Yes, So Cal. is a triathlon hot-bed. Yes, So Cal can lay claim to an important part in the sports historical roots. Yes, So Cal is the training ground for many of the sports top athletes. Yes, So Cal has the prfect climate and set up with all those beaches. Yes, So Cal is home to many of the key businesses and key movers and players in the sport of Triathlon. It’s also home to 15 million+ other people who could not care less about triathlon and wouldn’t know what triathlon was if it was going on right in their back yard! You may have your answer right there.
Fleck
Great point and I agree. As an addendum to my other post, I note that these two great events take place far away from Southern California and in smaller communities where there is more interest and support.
Fleck
What I heard is the main reason is that IMNA wants/requires a 5-year commitment and the Marines can’t do that. There was a commander change after the second year or so. The commander in 2000 was very pro-triathlon. but he was leaving Camp P and couldn’t speak for his successor.
“It’s also home to 15 million+ other people who could not care less about triathlon and wouldn’t know what triathlon was if it was going on right in their back yard!”
I think you are both correct and vastly underestimating the number of people who couldn’t care less. It’s about 35 million. They are pissed if a fatal car accident disrupts their commute. Think through the anger a race would generate even if most of it in on base.
Besides, other than Vineman and CaliMan, there is IMAZ and the new Silverman. All within easy range. Even IMCdA, IMC and Grand Columbian are not all that far away either.