New partnership announced today. Thoughts?
Not sure what it actually changes. The point thing but does that matter?
Could certainly have an effect on the pro series as well, or a merger of some sort of Life Time and 5150.
Eh, what happended to 5i50? Hy-Vee? It seemed that WTC was on that path for a couple of years, and now it’s Life Time. I’m totally flummoxed…
Gives WTC the potential for an IM branded 70.3 in Az with Lifetimes Soma.
potential to unload to Lifetime and cash out. Lifetime does not “partner” but looks to own events. Lifetime is SEC traded, looking for growth and would be a nice option for exit strategy WTC investors. That is what I see from this. Just a baby step, but has bigger potential. Has not much to do with pro-stuff org giving WTC more races, but first play at Lifetime buying IM brand. You have to think bigger with this. Lifetime land grab for sure.
Yes, while WTC may be big in the industry, they are small potatoes outside the triathlon world. After the article earlier about WTCs financing structure and all that good numbers stuff a guy like me likes to read, this would make sense for an investor cash out. Personally, I just raced a Lifetime Race, and I must say, I thought it was well run.
Lifetime runs big events and, other than a sketchy bike course at Lifetime South Beach, my experience with them has generally been good.
Define sketchy. It is Miami.
Interesting. If this is a precursor to buyout, could this be a positive development? Perhaps a more professional and visionary approach to PR, leadership and business development? Some of the things that have gone on in recent times would never ever be seen in listed companies.
Already done, IMSoma70.3 in 2015.
Lifetime is a very unique company. The really push the entrepreneurial spirit internally and have a keen model around event sponsorship and delivery. Their demographic is right in IMs sweet spot and they can certainly build training programs for their club members to enhance the brand. They have acquired (not partnered, purchased) key events over the last several years and I know first hand what they want and how it must fit in with their offerings. Events is a key area of growth for Lifetime beyond bricks and mortar clubs. If I were a betting man, this would be one I’d put some change down on.
Already done, IMSoma70.3 in 2015.
Oh man, I really hope they change that bike course. That is the worst course I have ever raced on. I would not do that race for free as it stands today.
From the reports I’ve heard about the bike course is it’s mostly flat for 56 miles. That means a person is going to be constantly pedaling with no time for the legs to get a break like when going downhill. It will take some mental planning to pace smart so you have something left for the run.
Note they will be giving AWA points for Lifetime races now, so it’s essentially WTC’s way of providing a “path” for newbies to work their way up from shorter distance races to the IM distance, while staying within the WTC family. To me, a good business move to provide a sort of farm system to feed into their IM events, which as we’ve all seen are not all selling out in minutes like the old days.
Already done, IMSoma70.3 in 2015.
Oh man, I really hope they change that bike course. That is the worst course I have ever raced on. I would not do that race for free as it stands today.
The Soma bike course would not be able to accomodate 2000 plus cyclists without major incidents with cars, people, curbs and other athletes. It is way to narrow in spots as it is now, it is difficult for faster cyclists to get around folks in it’s current configuration. They would have to close off the course to all vehicle traffic and allow full use of both car lanes to fit that many people. Any other way would be a recipe for disaster. BUT, I would do it as an IM event if they corrected these shortcomings.
Already done, IMSoma70.3 in 2015.
Oh man, I really hope they change that bike course. That is the worst course I have ever raced on. I would not do that race for free as it stands today.
The Soma bike course would not be able to accomodate 2000 plus cyclists without major incidents with cars, people, curbs and other athletes. It is way to narrow in spots as it is now, it is difficult for faster cyclists to get around folks in it’s current configuration. They would have to close off the course to all vehicle traffic and allow full use of both car lanes to fit that many people. Any other way would be a recipe for disaster. BUT, I would do it as an IM event if they corrected these shortcomings.
Yea, agree. I am sure WTC has a bit more clout with the reservation and could get the course to mimic the IMAZ route.
Already done, IMSoma70.3 in 2015.
Oh man, I really hope they change that bike course. That is the worst course I have ever raced on. I would not do that race for free as it stands today.
The Soma bike course would not be able to accomodate 2000 plus cyclists without major incidents with cars, people, curbs and other athletes. It is way to narrow in spots as it is now, it is difficult for faster cyclists to get around folks in it’s current configuration. They would have to close off the course to all vehicle traffic and allow full use of both car lanes to fit that many people. Any other way would be a recipe for disaster. BUT, I would do it as an IM event if they corrected these shortcomings.
Yea, agree. I am sure WTC has a bit more clout with the reservation and could get the course to mimic the IMAZ route.
Clout? You mean money!! The reservation needs more than reputation…LOL.
potential to unload to Lifetime and cash out. Lifetime does not “partner” but looks to own events. Lifetime is SEC traded, looking for growth and would be a nice option for exit strategy WTC investors. That is what I see from this. Just a baby step, but has bigger potential. Has not much to do with pro-stuff org giving WTC more races, but first play at Lifetime buying IM brand. You have to think bigger with this. Lifetime land grab for sure.
X2. The CEO and founder is supposed to be out on the Kona course now, test-driving the WTC’s crown jewel. Don’t bother looking for him in the starter field or results, as he rarely finishes.
Besides, I beat him in the inaugural Leadman 250 while being shorter, fatter and older than him. And I’m a girl-I think that’s called being chicked 
I believe that this is going to be lifetime buying WTC. Prov Eq cashed out. Nothing left. PE companies do not want to own. They buy, increase profits, and sell. Parts 1 & 2 are done. Lifetime is in this business FOR LIFE. Now is this a good move for Lifetime… I guess we will wait and see.