There have been several threads and even an ST poll on this subject recently, but we are getting to the time of year in most of North America where the rubber is going to hit the road - figuratively and literally in the triathlon and endurance sports markets.
The first big endurance event of the season in Southern Ontario, a triathlon hot-bed with a large and mature triathlon market, was the 30 K Around The Bay Road race in Hamilton, ON. Despite awful race day weather( 6C, pouring rain and high winds) there were record numbers of people entered into the 30K and the 5K events - I think the total was in the 10,000 range. Obviously this is a running race, but there were many triathletes taking part. So if this is any barometer - we are in great shape.
There have been several threads and even an ST poll on this subject recently, but we are getting to the time of year in most of North America where the rubber is going to hit the road - figuratively and literally in the triathlon and endurance sports markets.
The first big endurance event of the season in Southern Ontario, a triathlon hot-bed with a large and mature triathlon market, was the 30 K Around The Bay Road race in Hamilton, ON. Despite awful race day weather( 6C, pouring rain and high winds) there were record numbers of people entered into the 30K and the 5K events - I think the total was in the 10,000 range. Obviously this is a running race, but their were many triathletes taking part. So if this is any barometer - we are in great shape.
It’s like my LBS owner said. Triathlons are a way of life for people. The majority of it is people who dedicate their life, and train each and every day. It’s not merely a “bucket list” but a lifestyle. And thats why the local tri shop is still pretty active.
I don’t think races will be hit that hard but I think it would be mostly the vendors that sell the equipment would be. I think most triathletes love to compete but are rethinking whether they really need a new bike, wetsuit ect ect or could they make it another yet. I have no facts to base this on other then I work for a retailer (not tri related) that sells to the high tax bracket clientele.
Might long running races benefit from the recession? They are cheaper than triathlons but still provide the challenge that triathletes seek. Instead of focusing on an IM this year (or next), may triathletes instead focus on a marathon or a trail ultra to supplement the local tris they will still do?
I think the races rather small or large allow an escape. I know part of the reason I enjoy training so much is that it allows me to get out and away from all the day-to-day “crap”. Whether in the pool or on a run it allows one to find peace for at least a little while.
I’ve heard from a number of folks that they’re not as busy on their jobs as they’ve been previously, therefore they have more time to train properly for some big races. I’ve also heard a lot of sentiment that training/racing is great stress relief – better than St. John’s Wort.
I think pretty much all of us agree that local races will be the last to be effected. It is the big destination races that will suffer but maybe not until next year. The supply of iron distance races is limited and most have already sold out for this year. What will be telling is how many people who have already paid an entry fee don’t show. I know I’ve already decided not to do Vineman because the trip just seems excessive and unneccsessary. We’ve already seen some of the destination races offering additional slots (likely in anticipation of more no shows). My guess is those races will stay healthy. As long as the economy stops skidding this year then I don’t imagine that race participation for next year will be effected too much either. There is just a high demand for races. The one area of concern that we haven’t really discussed is sponsorship for all races (local and destination). Companies have less money to spend. Some contracts have been signed no doubt but I imagine there is cause for concern at all levels. I’m not a RD but I imagine a lot of their profit comes from sponsorships rather than just entry fees. If companies that aren’t directly selling tri related products start pulling out where does that leave the RD profit wise?
I think the fact that you have to sign up a year in advance for most tri races is why we wont see a decline in numbers this year. Lets do a status check next year and see. My guess is participation will go down next year as people chose not to resign up immediately after each event like they do now. In essence, this years races was money already spent last year.
I think it is the people travelling to races JUST to sign up that will be most effected. I would bet that we see A LOT more online registration available this year.
I’ve heard from a number of folks that they’re not as busy on their jobs as they’ve been previously, therefore they have more time to train properly for some big races. I’ve also heard a lot of sentiment that training/racing is great stress relief – better than St. John’s Wort.
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I’d have to agree with that, OT projects are gone so more time to train.
Several friends and I signed up for the goofy WDW marathon and a half. In 2008, it filled its slots in 1 week, this year, it took 3 months to fill. Other big marathons are also filling slowly. I don’t mind paying a lot for a couple races, but I hear people saying they are cutting back on the 30-40$ 5k’s. charity events may suffer.
In Ontario we have a lot of races. I can go to a sprint/oly triathlon or 5/10 km running race every weekend of the season within an hour or two or my home, and the entry fees are cheap. So I think Ontario races will be not down by that much. Retail is probably an entirely different question.
Entry fee for the 30 Km was about $60. US or $45. US if you early pre registered. I’ve noticed that races in Canada tend to be a bit cheaper than in the USA.
I just officially got my papers about 1hr ago.
I’ve known for a week though…
I don’t have kids, or a mortgage.
I have enough savings and EI and Vacation payout etc stored to survive, I still plan to race MTB and tris this summer, but I will cut back to the events that interest me most. The ones I was gonna do just for the sake of doing I will drop from my list.
If I had kids and a mortgage, I would probably consider not racing at all.
I noticed in the newest issue of Competitor magazine that All3Sports had an ad that said essentially the following (paraphrasing but not by much): “Hey we know buying a bike might not be in the cards this year so why not optomize your current fit with our new $450 Retul fit system.”
I think that is pretty smart. People might cut spending on things that aren’t essential but they will still spend. Retailers just have to show value and that varies with everyone. A $450 fit migh seem ridiculous unless it is compared to a $4,500 bike purchase.
I was in the local LBS on the weekend and they indicated that it was the busiest spring they had seen in many years. The LBS owner joked that all of the local lawyers and real estate agents had so little business and were spending all of their new found time on their bikes.
I agree that these $30 to $40 5Ks are a terrible value for your raeing dollar and I am afraid that some good charities will suffer because of that. Tim
I think what we might see is less growth in the sport than we have had over the last several years. This is an expensive sport to get started in by the time one buys a bike and bike gear, wetsuit, pool membership, etc. It’s a lot cheaper just to just run. So perhaps, there will not be the same type of growth in triathlon. Where this might be troubling is in a couple of areas. First, the retailers that sell to new triathletes. The second place could effect the whole sport. I think one of the problems with triathlon is that a lot people get really, really into it for a few years and then stop. So, if there are fewer new triathletes getting into the sport, will the sport decline in popularity?
For those that already have the gear and are not going to quit the sport, even after the recession is over, there might be just a little more looking in the mirror before spending. Is it a good idea to go to an international destination race and pay for airfare, hotels, etc., when I love the training and am still really happy doing local races? Do I need new tires before this race? Is a bananna cheaper than a power bar? Are last year’s tri-shorts still in good enough shape to race in this year? I think people are asking themselves these kinds of questions about all types of spending they did not think about over the last decade or so.
I have really had fantastic experiences when I have used triathlon as an excuse to travel someplace new, and its great to have so much good equipment available and great races to do, so hopefully you are right about the race in Ontario being a barometer. But I’m not sure if the real effects will be felt right away or some years from now.
I got out of motocross and got in to Tri’s mostly because MX was getting too expensive with traveling to tracks and bikes getting outrages, especially when you go through 2 a season. I think at least running and biking will become more common for people mostly because there is an initial investment but then it’s basically free with a little maintenance every once in a while.
I do most of my training at county and state parks and they have seemed busier the last couple of years than I remember before. More family’s riding bikes, running, walking, and fewer boats on the water.