I remember sitting on the computer when registration opened and still not being able to get in. Amazed that it’s still open at this point.
i sure do. i wanted to do that course, just once, and a friend said that the oceanside half did a thing after the roll down (slots to kona at that time) where they did entries to other IMs. they did it in order of calendar date, as i recall, so by the time they got to IMFL (nov.) very few aspirants were left and i happily took the entry slot.
peggy
I did it in 2008 and flew down to volunteer in 2007 because volunteers got to register first so it was a great way to pretty much guarantee you could register.
I registered early through the TriClub program and was very excited. They were offering AZ and FL at the same time, and I opted for FL for logistical and family reasons. I was thrilled I got an early spot… turns out I didn’t need it.
Remember when IMAZ sold *on-site *to volunteers or anyone else who lined up day after the race? The online registration went from “opening soon” to “sold out”.
This year anyone who wanted it badly enough would have gotten in. It took a while before it sold out.
Remember when IMAZ sold *on-site *to volunteers or anyone else who lined up day after the race? The online registration went from “opening soon” to “sold out”.
This year anyone who wanted it badly enough would have gotten in. It took a while before it sold out.
Yeah, I recall standing in line the day BEFORE the race in both Arizona and Penticton to register for the race the following year. Good times, good times.
For years, I would register on site the day before the race (366 days before the race I was registering for), to make certain I was in. Still do, although no need to.
It seems to be happening at most IM’s. All of the Australian IM’s use to sell out in under an hour. Now none of them sell out and participation numbers are way down.
Ironman Austria used to be impossible to register online. Nowedays it’s no problem.
What are the reasons?:
- triathlon looses popularity?
- there are more IMs?
- all of the “only once in a lifetime”- finishers have had their go?
i sure do. i wanted to do that course, just once, and a friend said that the oceanside half did a thing after the roll down (slots to kona at that time) where they did entries to other IMs. they did it in order of calendar date, as i recall, so by the time they got to IMFL (nov.) very few aspirants were left and i happily took the entry slot.
peggy
I did it in 2008 after getting a slot at the Disney 70.3 in May 2008. North American Sports had the license back then and did stuff like that. But in 2008, Florida was not competing with Maryland and Augusta. And Louiseville, if it had existed wasn’t in October. I do NOT miss those days. I registered for Texas a week before the race this year and you could have walked up and registered at the expo…which completely negates the need for that insurance program.
What are the reasons?:
- there are more IMs?
- all of the “only once in a lifetime”- finishers have had their go?
This mainly, I would imagine.
Ironman Austria used to be impossible to register online. Nowedays it’s no problem.
What are the reasons?:
- triathlon looses popularity?
- there are more IMs?
- all of the “only once in a lifetime”- finishers have had their go?
I would say “losing popularity” + “once in a lifetime” + COST.
For me, I still run and bike (and know what a pool looks like), but I don’t sign up for much b/c of the cost. It’s not just the IM registration (which is pretty ridiculous (but I get it…sort of)), but hotel + food + training + tri-specific equipment (since regular bikes/shoes/swimsuits don’t work on tri courses :)) …all of that stuff discourages long-term repeated participation; at least, in my case it did.
For me, I still run and bike (and know what a pool looks like), but I don’t sign up for much b/c of the cost. It’s not just the IM registration (which is pretty ridiculous (but I get it…sort of)), but hotel + food + training + tri-specific equipment (since regular bikes/shoes/swimsuits don’t work on tri courses :)) ….all of that stuff discourages long-term repeated participation; at least, in my case it did.
True to me too.
I still swim, bike & run too. Mainly because I just like training even if it’s not for a race. I don’t race just tris any more just due to cost, I may do a half this summer but have switched mainly to bike racing where a race is $35-$40 and I can do 2-4 a month and not go broke.
Ironman Austria used to be impossible to register online. Nowedays it’s no problem.
What are the reasons?:
- triathlon looses popularity?
- there are more IMs?
- all of the “only once in a lifetime”- finishers have had their go?
I would say “losing popularity” + “once in a lifetime” + COST.
For me, I still run and bike (and know what a pool looks like), but I don’t sign up for much b/c of the cost. It’s not just the IM registration (which is pretty ridiculous (but I get it…sort of)), but hotel + food + training + tri-specific equipment (since regular bikes/shoes/swimsuits don’t work on tri courses :)) …all of that stuff discourages long-term repeated participation; at least, in my case it did.
Aren’t most of the “tri specific” equipment purchases pretty much one time purchases?
It seems to be happening at most IM’s. All of the Australian IM’s use to sell out in under an hour. Now none of them sell out and participation numbers are way down.
Is there a point in the future where prices eventually come down because the demand isn’t there anymore? Or do the prices continue to go up so WTC can make up the difference?
I would say “losing popularity” + “once in a lifetime” + COST. .
I would add increased competition. With crossfit, spartan races, ultras becoming more popular and a limited population interested in fitness, there are less and less people signing up for ironmans. These other activities don’t require 10+ hrs a week of training (ultra being an exception).
The younger generation, generally former college/hs athletes, are now exposed to these competitors that the past generation wasn’t.
I would say “losing popularity” + “once in a lifetime” + COST. .
I would add increased competition. With crossfit, spartan races, ultras becoming more popular and a limited population interested in fitness, there are less and less people signing up for ironmans. These other activities don’t require 10+ hrs a week of training (ultra being an exception).
The younger generation, generally former college/hs athletes, are now exposed to these competitors that the past generation wasn’t.
I’d agree…and, at least in terms of Spartan/mud run/obstacle races, they’re promoted as a “fun” competition whereas, tri has, imo, gotten a “competitive Type-A” reputation that turns off a lot of people.
I would say “losing popularity” + “once in a lifetime” + COST. .
I would add increased competition. With crossfit, spartan races, ultras becoming more popular and a limited population interested in fitness, there are less and less people signing up for ironmans. These other activities don’t require 10+ hrs a week of training (ultra being an exception).
The younger generation, generally former college/hs athletes, are now exposed to these competitors that the past generation wasn’t.
^This. 2016 running stats out today and another decline there too. Golf is in full scale retrenchment. NASCAR attendance is collapsing. Boxing popularity is way down. NBA and NHL viewership down the past two years. There are a lot more sports competing for participants, as well as changes in the culture and preferences of each sub demographic group. If you are an triathlon RD this is bad news, but as an athlete, I don’t see any problem with having such a variety of competitions to choose from.
I would also note that triathlon continues to scale up. Previously IM was the pinnacle of triathlon sport. It no longer is and has been replaced by Xtreme Triathlons. Norseman was the first in 2003. Now in addition to Norseman there is Celtman, Swissman, Austria Xtreme, Slovenia Xtreme, the Brutal in the UK, Alaskaman, Canadaman, Florida Xtreme, Janovik Xtreme (Czech), as well as the growth of the Ultraman series, multi-ironman events and more that I probably don’t even know about.
I would say “losing popularity” + “once in a lifetime” + COST. .
I would add increased competition. With crossfit, spartan races, ultras becoming more popular and a limited population interested in fitness, there are less and less people signing up for ironmans. These other activities don’t require 10+ hrs a week of training (ultra being an exception).
The younger generation, generally former college/hs athletes, are now exposed to these competitors that the past generation wasn’t.
I’d agree…and, at least in terms of Spartan/mud run/obstacle races, they’re promoted as a “fun” competition whereas, tri has, imo, gotten a “competitive Type-A” reputation that turns off a lot of people.
Darn millennials wanting everyone to get a trophy…but in truth, it does turn away a lot of people. People aren’t going to look at a sport that markets competition on being faster when most potential racers know they won’t be competitive.