I know this is way early but I have a question regarding qualifying for IMFL at the 70.3 in Oceanside next year. I have heard that signing up for IMFL online is near impossible and I don’t know anyone who will be there to sign me up in person. Knowing this, I’m thinking that qualifying is my best option. Does anyone have any idea how many of the top end men take the spots for IMFL? How far do they roll down? My guess would be that they would roll down pretty far as most aren’t doing this for the main purpose of qualifying for Florida unlike an IM where most top folks are trying for that Kona slot. I’m looking at finishing around 4:35-4:40 in the M35-39 age group so while I won’t be one of the top guys, I will be higher than most (fingers crossed!). Hopefully high enough to get a spot. If anyone has any knowledge on this, please post it. Thanks!
The spots for other IM’s are not based on your time. They have a set number, 50 I beleive. After they do the clear water and kona slots. They ask who wants the spots for the other IM’s. From what I’ve heard, typically its not that big of a deal to get a spot. I would try signing up first online. I went to IMFL last year, becuase I was worried about getting in this year. But, It seems as though most everyone that tried to get in online managed to get in.
Yep…I know it’s not based on time but place. I just don’t know how far down my age group the spot will roll. Thanks for the info on online sign up. Makes me feel a lot better. I just need to find a faster computer than the piece of sh$&^T I’m on now.
I’m not sure what you are after - there are two things you are after. QUALIFYING for IMFL or DOING IMFL.
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Qualifying for a race as you are doing is a cool goal. I and everyone else here that does IM wants to qualify for Kona (though if I ever will is highly doubtful). Qualifying is my goal. If I ever did, I would treat Kona as a victory lap. Same for qualifying for Boston.
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If you actually want to DO IMFL, there is a simple solution. Just show up the day after the race down there, get in line at 7 AM or so, and you’re in. OR have a friend try to register you if you can’t make it and have online as a backup. I registered four people last year, including myself. If they limit how many people your friend can register, have him work the line with a $20 or something (though most IMers are so friendly the palm-grease isn’t required) to get someone’s extra slot.
Trust me, I have no intention of doing 70.3 unless I really feel it’s necessary to get me in to IMFL. I just want to get in. I live in CO so getting there to sign up in person isn’t happening and I don’t know anyone who is doing it this year. After missing a Kona slot at IMCDA last week by 13+ minutes, I’m feeling that qualifying is a possibility if I make some changes. I won’t get into why FL vs. other IM’s but I REALLY want to do whatever it takes to get me into this race.
Try signing up online this November. If you are not able to, then go ahead and do California in March. If you hang around at the awards, you should be able to get into an available Florida slot. California has a lot of slots available for other races.
Mike H.
agree with Couchweight…at least as far as the Florida 70.3 with IM slots…(can’t speak to how they do it exactly at Cali 70.3).
At least at the Florida 70.3, the slots for the IM races were not done by time, place or anything. They awarded the Clearwater slots by the AG (with roll-down as appropriate). Then…they said, “we have 50 slots for IMF, how many here are interested?” Approx. 50 people raised their hands, and went up and got registration forms. All you had to have done was to be an official entrant of the Florida 70.3. NOT a roll-down process through the age groups. Does that make more sense?
I’ve done exactly that the past two years. Last year I took an IMFL spot at the Calif. 70.3 and this year it was IM Canada. I was like 120th in my AG last year and top 70 this year, but it didn’t matter. There were less people than slots available, so everyone that wanted them, got them.
Thanks all. That info really helps. I’m in the process of checking out names from the 2007 IMFL participants list in my area and I’ll look for them at my local tri’s. Hopefuly get to know them and just have them get me in.
Dude - what do you think makes more sense: getting into IMFL by SHOWING UP one day in FL or getting into IMFL by DOING A RACE YOU MIGHT QUALIFY FOR in CA. Either way you are going to travel. And at least if you go to the FL race you will be able to watch it and get some valueable info for next year.
Or just find a friend who is going to do FL and have them register you. Surely you can find someone. Hell, if you PM me around the race I might register you.