That page reads like one of those now hiring ads that says “apply only if you’re not lazy, don’t bring your phone to work, no applications of you take sick days, or don’t make drs appointments, or don’t have sick kids or don’t want to make minimum wage, or can’t take the heat…”
I can’t figure out for the life of me why no one wants to work anymore?
That’s really stupid, plain stupid.
I don’t know much about Ultraman, but seeing 20 people on the participants list and them making the ridiculous requirements of another Ultra-whatever? Finishing a full distance triathlon or a 100km run should be enough.
Best if they die, in corporate terms. Then any more business acumen organization could take over the rights to organize, and leverage the heritage and location.
What was the story with the falling out with Ultraman Australia? I crewed there one year ('21) and despite the event officially being ‘UM Australia’, they called it ‘Ultraman’ all weekend. The event did seem to be run on the smell of an oily rag…
There is too much detail from years past to go into it but suffice to say Tony (UMOZ owner) got sick of the increasingly unreasonable demands of the Hawaiians and decided to cut ties with them. That year the race was already sold out and Tony hadn’t had time to change any of the logos and branding. The Hawaiians threatened legal action and Tony just laughed at them. He did change everything the following year to UM Australia but still likes to call it Ultraman during race week just to piss them off.
UMOZ in Noosa has been one of the best run and highest quality races of all the Ultraman style events around the world. People are just used to Ironman and want “The Show”. To have their pre-race stuff at “The J” and then the awards at Peppers is far more upmarket than anything anyone else is doing.For some reason the bare bones thing during that actual race days is a legacy of the Hawaiian laid back theme.
I fear the writing is on the wall though as the race in Noosa has never make a profit and the Noosa Council this year kicked them out of the Surf Club car park which was prime real estate for any race in that town.
It will be sad for me to see it fold if it does as I was the one who convinced Tony to hold it in Noosa and suggested most of the first two days course. I wanted to do the run through the Noosa National Park but the council would not have any of that. I live on the course and it is just an amazing location. for the race.
@monty It simply might be that this event is just too much for people right now. The time commitment, the expense. The lack of “Glory” that it has always provided. We did Ultraman AZ last year and even us that are in the industry talked about how it was just too big of a commitment with our families and such.
Back to this years event. Jen snapped up a new Day Two bike record which isn’t surprising and in doing so took 6 minutes off Michelle’s overall lead. They start the double marathon tomorrow separated by only 11 minutes and at this stage my money is on Jen for the win.
Tough to bet against the happiest person in Triathlon as I think Michelle is awesome and hilarious but Jen is one of my Penticton “Rum Night” mates so she gets my vote. 
Annett is 13 min up at the 3/4 mark of the run, having erased the 11 min deficit after day 2. Closest race for a few years.
Is the 13 min lead growing? Where can I get live updates ? Nice to see both Annett and Michelle putting down a solid fight at the top of the leaderboard
Yaaaay Jen!!
Michelle is just tooooo funny… 
Pretty cool, two mom’s sweep Ultraman world’s. @Ironmandad, @rrheisler I think that is a front page article for New York Times, but maybe ST can beat NYTimes to this!!!
Yes, very cool! For sure I will have to reach out and figure out how to do some coverage - unfortunately Western Australia isn’t exactly close … but, yes, working on it!
Thanks Kevin, I am sure they will appreciate it!!! Its never happened before.
it’s really just Babbit and Ultraman on their respective FB pages.
Yep. Just caught up with Babbitt and his wife, Heidi - will work on a story now!
Hi Kevin, if you can also ask the organizers on their views on the overall numbers and qualification process. There is a fair amount of banter inside this thread related to that.
I know you and I are on opposite sides of the fence with our feelings toward UM, so I don’t want to get in the weeds here. But they didn’t just let Jen in; she had to qualify like everyone else. She won UM Canada this year.
Yep,you are right. My mistake…For some reason (even though I followed her in Penticton) I had it in my mind that she did what Kate did and won the Ultra515.
Doing this middle of the night Slowtwitching here in Noosa does weird things to my mind…like committing to UB515 in 2026 for my last Ultraman (Oooops not allowed to call it that)
Dev,
That’s my observation as well. I’ve been KEENLY interested in this event for a LONG time. But, I know my body and mind will not perform (nor will I enjoy it) if I have to qualify at another event. Candidly, it just feels very exclusionary (vice exclusive) the way UM runs the “process.”
Maybe we need to just grab a group of cool folks looking for a challenge and throw something together (a bit like your training weekends in LP).
And, if anyone wants to do something epic in the Pacific Northwest next Fall, I’d be happy to put together a challenging loop with a mix of swimming, biking long distances (likely with some gravel for good measure), and trail running. I’d call it “Ursa Major” to honor Coach Jean’s late partner (IYKYK).
Which is wierd since they say they are all about “ohana”. I also find it strange that a few poople who have raced it in the past multiple times (like fixtures there) were radio silence about it even happening. Though a few have gone on to other endeavors (Triathlon Inkaman - that is even more crazy imho! and Western States/other 100 milers).
And Jonathan - I’d put crewing at Ursa Major on my schedule if you do it.
And, THIS is how bad ideas become fun realities…
