Well folks, I thought I would take the time to announce it here on Slowtwitch (as I have on TNO), before the gossip hounds can spread it around the net, but I have some very sad news. Today it was announced that one of the premier long distance races in the country for the past 25 years has been cancelled. The Ironhorse Triathlon (formerly known as the Springfield Ironhorse Triathlon), which was once a Hawaii Ironman qualifying event has been a mainstay in our sport on Father’s Day for the past 25 years.
I have posted Paul McDevitt’s letter both on the “What’s New?” page of www.ironhorsetri.com, and in the discussion forum. The reasons for the cancellation are quite obvious, and I’m sure there will be some lame people to try and gossip otherwise. It really is a simple matter. For years Ironhorse was the only long course event in the midwest in June (much as Muncie was in July, and Pigman was in August). However, 3 additional long course events NOW SCHEDULED ON THE SAME DAY simply pull those age groupers from other markets (Chicago, where there are 2 1/2 IM’s near by on the same day, and St. Louis where there is another 1/2 IM), and essentially dilutes the field.
I pray that these Race Directors put on GREAT (not just good) venues, as only the athletes will suffer in their experiences. Ironhorse has always been a top notched race, with top notched volunteers, that was put on BY age group athletes FOR age group athletes, while in turn giving back to the community (it was not a “for profit” organization, as any year there was “left over” money, it was donated back into the community for various causes). With past winners such as Paul Huddle, Tim Deboom, Loren Jensen, etc…it has a very rich history in the development of many of today’s top athletes.Unfortunately, last year the dilution of athletes caused Paul to lose some substantial money, and this year appeared to be the same.
While many “newbies” won’t understand the importance of REAL quality races, and race directors who look out for the safety and benefit of the athletes racing (because of the freak incident that happened there a few years ago, USAT has revised THEIR water testing standards - although it still isn’t as strict as the Ironhorse testing standards), and thus just see this fall to be that of “supply and demand”…Ironhorse IS a part of triathlon history. Getting into this sport 10 years ago, Ironhorse and Muncie were the 2 premier long course events in the midwest, which sat up there with St. Anthony’s, Memphis in May, Wildflower, Alcatraz, and the old Oceanside race as sort of the “historic” races around the country.
Yup…it’s a sad day. Let’s hope people can come up with some ideas and talk Paul into bringing back the race in 2005. Please feel free to stop by the discussion forum and give your regards to Paul. For those who believe in Dan’s theory on “givers” and “takers”…Paul is definitely one of those “givers” to the sport.
You can read his letter at: http://www.ironhorsetri.com/whats_new.htm
~ Craig Preston