OK boys and girls its almost that time of the year for the money makers at Red Dot Central to do their Kona Lottery drawing. This is my third year in both the general lottery and the Passport Club (more like Passtheloot Club). In any event the results will be posted on the Ironman site on April 15th, but like last year there will also be the lucky names posted on national television during the showing of NBCs 2008 Clearwater Beach competition. The Official Ironman.com site says that NBC will be airing this on Saturday April the 12th. My calendar says Saturday is the 11th and Sunday the 12th is Easter. So I’m not sure which day and at what time thats going to happen. What I do know is that last November 8th at about 3:30 a.m. I was stagering around the lobby of my hotel drinking coffee trying to wake up and the place was full of NBC camera guys with leather motor cycle jackets looking like fresh daisys and roaring to cover this epic event. I think I wasn’t really awake until I got to the first bouy.
So how many other Slowtwitchers out there are in the Lottery? And does any one know when the Clearwater thing will be on t.v.? Tim
My wife went to Kona on the lottery in 2008. As we’re in Canada she won only 1/50 international positions. I think her lottery fee was only about $35.00. It was her first IM and marathon. She pulled it off in about 13 hrs and most importantly, found the big show to be a really great experience. If she hadn’t won the lottery, she probably never would have done an IM.
i’m glad for all the people that got a lottery spot, but I don’t like the lottery, I would rather see more slots in races and a race in (for example) California or Argentina or both or any other cool place. But thats just my opinion.
It’s all about the Benjamins. WTC is getting plenty of people to pony up the entry fees to do those races. If they can get people to throw in $35+ more to try and win a lottery spot, no reason not to.
In my application I talked trash and got myself notice. I don’t think its as much of a lottery as it is get yourself noticed.
I don’t believe this is true. It is possible that the WTC officials look at lottery applications for “special” stories or coverage AFTER the drawing, but I do think the lottery drawing is a random. Everyone, even qualifiers, fill out an application with personal questions. It is just WTCs way for looking for people to highlight from those entered.
In my application I talked trash and got myself notice. I don’t think its as much of a lottery as it is get yourself noticed.
I don’t believe this is true. It is possible that the WTC officials look at lottery applications for “special” stories or coverage AFTER the drawing, but I do think the lottery drawing is a random. Everyone, even qualifiers, fill out an application with personal questions. It is just WTCs way for looking for people to highlight from those entered.
Good luck everyone…
I think Sue is quite right (yes, again…) I won a spot to Kona on my second try in the lottery back in 2004. Just basic info on the application.
At this point in the game I have to believe that WTC and its sponsor companies are hip-deep in celebrities, near-celebrities, other human interest stories as well as deep pocketed advertisers who for whatever reason want to get Kona slots. I think you can believe the lottery is completely square because there is just no incentive for WTC to tamper with it.
In my application I talked trash and got myself notice. I don’t think its as much of a lottery as it is get yourself noticed.
I don’t believe this is true. It is possible that the WTC officials look at lottery applications for “special” stories or coverage AFTER the drawing, but I do think the lottery drawing is a random. Everyone, even qualifiers, fill out an application with personal questions. **It is just WTCs way for looking for people to highlight from those entered. **
Good luck everyone…
I had a mate who won the lottery for last years race and his name was on the board when he was going into the compound in the morning saying he was one of the NBC athletes. But come the show, not 1 second of him.
I used to think it was rigged but now tend to this it’s fair. I now know of 6 people that have won the lottery. All different speeds and life stories. None that special.
I am in it for the first time this year. Hoping beginners luck.
I took a shot at it - I’m a big believer in fate - what’s the worse thing that could happen ? - you burn some $$ and give it a shot - Best of luck to all !!!
