I got a Legacy slot to Kona this year and was wondering what I can do to guarantee that I make the NBC broadcast. I don’t have a very compelling story about getting to Kona. I haven’t survived any major adversities. I’m not a celebrity, politician, former professional athlete, or Fortune 500 CEO. I’m healthy and have all my limbs. I’m not very fast or good looking so It’s time to get creative. I am open to suggestions. And before any of you SBI (Slowtwitch Bureau of Investigation) agents point it out, my name is not on the list of Legacy winners. It was a mistake when the list was posted. Hmmm, maybe I could get a conspiracy theory going.
I would guess racing naked would ensure you don’t get on TV.
Some ideas:
Memorable finish (cart wheel, back handspring, etc.)Memorable costume (e.g. Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hulk)Memorable epic incident (meltdown, major mechanical, etc)
Obviously if you are going to concoct a situation to get on TV is should look authentic and not manufactured.
Alternatively you could just be yourself and hope that’s enough.
I helped with the NBC filming in 2006 - I was in a cherry picker over the swim start with a cameraman. One thought that I had was that I couldn’t believe no one had inner tubes/floaties for the time that everyone spent treading water waiting for the start. Maybe they stop people from doing that, but I thought that would be a funny shot. You might have to have someone hand one to you once you got into the water. Also anything that helps you get spotted is good - bright kit, funny saying on your shirt. If you are out late on the run course you can also look for the camera crews - they are usually in minivans and will have a placard in the windshield. They are usually looking for people to “chat” with. That being said, even being filmed doesn’t guarantee you will make the show - I think that I calculated that they had over 300 hours of footage of just the race (and that doesn’t include any of the pre-race interviews).
I’ve been to Kona twice and made the coverage both times. Despite the fact I got a grand total of about 3 seconds of airtime total I must be doing something right. Last year I got a coveted spot in the finish line montage…priceless.
I helped with the NBC filming in 2006 - I was in a cherry picker over the swim start with a cameraman. One thought that I had was that I couldn’t believe no one had inner tubes/floaties for the time that everyone spent treading water waiting for the start. Maybe they stop people from doing that, but I thought that would be a funny shot. You might have to have someone hand one to you once you got into the water. Also anything that helps you get spotted is good - bright kit, funny saying on your shirt. If you are out late on the run course you can also look for the camera crews - they are usually in minivans and will have a placard in the windshield. They are usually looking for people to “chat” with. That being said, even being filmed doesn’t guarantee you will make the show - I think that I calculated that they had over 300 hours of footage of just the race (and that doesn’t include any of the pre-race interviews).
In the coverage from one of the recent years (in one of the last 3, I think), someone had a pink floatie ring and then abandons it when the cannon goes off.
If you a fast swimmer, find Apollo Ohno and stick to him like glue and make sure your next to him exiting the water. Then hang with him on the bike too.
Doesn’t the run make a small loop where an ending portion of the run is the same road as an early portion of it? Just time it so that you are on that portion when the winner runs by about to finish. That’s one of my favorite parts to watch every year, it’s cool how everyone that is trotting along at 10+ minute miles can suddenly run sub 7’s to keep up with the winner for a second or two.
Also, that’s how I accidentally made the coverage of IMMoo the year I did it.
If you a fast swimmer, find Apollo Ohno and stick to him like glue and make sure your next to him exiting the water. Then hang with him on the bike too.
This is probably actually the best advice in this thread.
