Doesn’t seem like anything you listed (op) had anything to do with the race itself. Isn’t that what its all about? CdA was my first this year, and it was completely awesome. I agree with you on the nerchandise, but nothing else. Shouldn’t it be up to the vendors to have a better EXPO…or does WTC put a limit on it? I don’t really care either way. I was there to race and was focusing on the task at hand.
I worked the 70.3 championships Information Booth (roughly 40 hours in 4.5 days), so I was there almost the whole time. WTC were very helpful and busy as hell trying to get everything set up while answering our questions and a million other things that had to be done when problems arised. They gave us really nice K-Swiss shirts and sweatshirts for being team captains, and I was thrilled with the quality and look of them. I did not go in the merchandise tent but it was busy all the time.
I have no problems with WTC after working with them and now realize what a huge undertaking it is to put these races on. I was so sore and tired after volunteering I thought would rather race, but I loved it and will do it again for the ITU Long Course Championship we have here in Henderson in November. I loved meeting the athletes and their families. Now that I see what it takes to put on a race like 70.3 and 140.6, I have much more respect for the race directors and companies that do this. So many details…
You make some valid observations and a well presented argument.
Some of what you are suggesting likely has merit. The sport and the event series has grown rapidly. That exerts an effect on the process, the events.
That said Ironman, at its core, isn’t the expos, registration, the entry fees.
It’s the 140.6 miles that seperates the start line from the finish line.
There are a lot of “amenities” attached to the experience, some better and more relevant than others. Utlimately though, (to me at least) it’s about the race, the course, the distance, the training in the months before hand.
When you plunk down the $450 you get something you wouldn’t have otherwise had- a goal. A high bar. Something to shoot for. That’s the 95% of what I think we pay for.
Sure- other events share the same distance and are less expensive. But there is some currency in our sport to know you did Ironman Wisconsin, Lake Placid, Florida, Canada, whatever- in a given time.
I think what you pay for is that tangible.
Now, an interesting phenomenon in business is what happens when businesses stray from their core product. Things usually… change.
I hear what you are saying, but here is my opinion-
- The expo at any triathlon that I have ever attended is crappy. Ever done a Rock n Roll Marathon? Now that is an Expo. Tons of people walking around. Tons of different booths. Yep, exactly. Sounds like Rock n Roll understand about Experience.
- WTC gives out a t-shirt, a hat and a medal. I don’t need to buy anything else at the race to have for memorabilia. It is nice to have stuff that you might need for race day (arm coolers/warmers, tubes, co2, maybe goggles or a race belt).
- Sure they charge a premium for their stuff at the expo. Ever been to a pro or college sports games? They also charge a crazy amount of money for crap like t-shirts, key chains, jerseys, beer, pretzels. You don’t like it, don’t go. **Hmm, that’s the “everybody’s doing it” argument. How will it ever get better (like Rock n Roll) if we don’t try? For example, if you go to M/SP and attend a St. Paul Saints game (the highest attendance major league baseball team, by far), their concessions and merchandise are first-rate and reasonably priced. Maybe that’s why they sell out almost every game, all year long. **
- Are you really complaining that a forklift driver was unkempt? Should they have been wearing sports coats and slacks? Well, maybe not a sport coat, but actually, yes. Or at least shaved in the past week. Or worn clean jeans. Again, look at Disney, the benchmark. Either you’re striving to meet that benchmark or you’re off the back.
- Maybe the WTC wasn’t walking around asking exhibitors if they needed anything because they were busy making the sure the race was going well. Or answering a question about some spectator wondering if her husband had made the cutoff or not. The Expo is on Friday and Saturday, not during the race.
- Banquets- No thanks. I was at IMAZ last year for the “mandatory” course talk but skipped the food. I’d rather not eat food that was made for 2,500 people. No matter how “good” it might be, it is still food made in mass quantity.** Yep, exactly. Even the best hospital in the world still serves hospital food. At Wisconsin, even the misconceptions were misconcepted. That is, the “pasta” that everyone believes you have to eat the day before a race (the misconception) was gluten-free and made from rice flour (the misconcepted). I’m still scratching my head over that one. Somehow they managed to screw up the screwup and get it right…!**
“When you plunk down the $450 you get something you wouldn’t have otherwise had- a goal. A high bar. Something to shoot for. That’s the 95% of what I think we pay for.”
$450? It’s been awhile, huh?
When you plunk down the $450 you get something you wouldn’t have otherwise had- a goal. A high bar. Something to shoot for. That’s the 95% of what I think we pay for.
Um, you’re only 1/4 low! It’s $600 + the active.com registration fee. Refund policy is hideous given the high injury rate.
Don’t forget the Ironman cologne! BTW, I got a bottle as a gift & it smells like cat pee.
The Same Old Merchandise
I talked to a lot of athletes about M-dot merchandise, and the consensus (from my info) is that the merchandise is second-rate for a premium price. Which begs the question: What is the motivation for the merchandise store? Profit only? Building the Brand? Outlet for the online store? Having managed event gift stores and brick-and-mortar gift stores for 5+ years, I can attest that there is more to merchandising than ordering T-shirts and putting them on a rack. That said, I’ll say the merchandise at the event store is the same old T-shirts, jerseys, and coffee cups. Nothing special (see Experience above). Shouldn’t there be at least one piece of merchandise that you could only get at that specific event? Wouldn’t that be special?
I felt like IMWI finally had this one coveted piece of merchandise that I think is genius. They sold a T-shirt and poster that had a giant M-dot that was made of every participant’s name. I bought a poster and had my whole support crew sign it and will frame it with the medal and pictures. Such a cool idea for a poster/shirt. (I haven’t been to an IM for awhile so this may be old news)
Totally had nothing to do with your argument but I thought it was cool.
Jodi
" I’m wondering how many ST’ers feel similar"
I sort of feel like the magic has been lost for me personally, a little, but I have been at this for about 7 years now. I evolved from one of those just looking to do one IM, into a racer mildly-obsessed with qualifying for Kona. I think for those out trying to race (vs just getting through), it is a different experience. Sometimes too serious. But it clearly is not lost on the majority of the people out there doing WTC races. Stand at any WTC IM finish for the last three hours and you will see great joy an enthusiasm. The magic is definitely still there. This is an amazing sport, and I believe the WTC does a great job.
While watching IMLP on tv last night (recorded) they said there were 1,300 first timers. That, to me, is an amazing number. How many of those people decided to sign up based on talks with friends/family that have already done an IM? I bet a bunch. The magic lives!!!
The current newbies to WTC IM races have the current race offering as the bar. They dont know the races were better run with better amenities in the past. The “magic” is the sport is growing, and IM in particular based on percentage, is growing at such a rate that they can more than afford turnover of people. In fact they may like all the old schoolers to bail and get all the new blood in who think it is worth that kind of money.
You are comparing M.dot, which is like a traveling carnival, to Disney, and stating that “Disney would never do this?”
Disney has dedicated infrastructure in place for decades - any race has about a week to set up then break down EVERYTHING.
At a venue which is likely far from optimized for such an event.
I’m sorry you got to see the man behind the curtain, and now your dreams are shattered. Buck up little camper. The House of Mouse is always there for you.
What other overpriced M.dot crap were you expecting at the expo? Ironman ™ dildoes and Ben-wa balls?
What other overpriced M.dot crap were you expecting at the expo? Ironman ™ dildoes and Ben-wa balls?
Isn’t it a wee bit early to be divulging your christmas wish list!?
WTC has succeeded in becoming Disney. They sell the “Magic” and the “dream.” Even if those come in the guise of a way over priced, over hyped product that will not satisfy a lot of people’s expectations. Just like millions of people flock to Disney’s parks to consumer over priced crappy food and ride out of date, deadly rides, WTC will rake in the racers. Once you have the brand, the people will flock there.
I think a little of the magic is naturally lost once you cross the finish line for the first time. It is no longer the mythical event you once perceived it to be where in the back of your mind (no matter how well you trained) you think, “Can I really do this?”.
I remember a little disappointment when I realized you didn’t have to prove you finished to purchase finisher items. In reality I probably agree with this for most of the items but I think you have a good point by them offering some special item (that you would actually want) that you have to actually finish to purchase.
What other overpriced M.dot crap were you expecting at the expo? Ironman ™ dildoes and Ben-wa balls?
Isn’t it a wee bit early to be divulging your christmas wish list!?
I’m holding out for the Norseman ™ “Hammer of Thor”.
Don’t forget the Ironman cologne! BTW, I got a bottle as a gift & it smells like cat pee.
Is that like watered-down ‘Sex Panther’? Cue sig line…
I agree with the Disney/WTC comparison. In fact, one could do a paper on the similarities between the two brand’s history, ownership and business model development. Brand protection, aggressive marketing and controlling demand with supply are all similar. . Both have “cheapened the quality of the brand” at times, but maintained a base. Have you ever called a WTC race or product “too Mickey Mouse”? I have.
I am neither a WTC basher, nor a Disney basher. I like WTC races for what they are and I actually like Disney at off season in small doses. I liked both better before they got so big and popular. Of course they do not appeal to everyone. That is okay, they don’t have to, and they only have to please the people that want that experience! The crowds are proof they are dong that job well. While everything at Disney is “fake”, when I want to see nature I can go camping instead. If WTC is too crowded and expensive, there are many more laid back ultra races to do.
WTC is not “responsible to grow the sport” any more than Disney is responsible to grow theme parks. WTC has not ruined the sport of triathlon any more than Disney ruined amusement parks. Quite the opposite. They built the mold, built the demand, which in turn allowed competitors to enter the market and try their chance at building a niche of their own.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em is your choice. There are many options out there.
You make some valid observations and a well presented argument.
Some of what you are suggesting likely has merit. The sport and the event series has grown rapidly. That exerts an effect on the process, the events.
That said Ironman, at its core, isn’t the expos, registration, the entry fees.
It’s the 140.6 miles that seperates the start line from the finish line.
There are a lot of “amenities” attached to the experience, some better and more relevant than others. Utlimately though, (to me at least) it’s about the race, the course, the distance, the training in the months before hand.
When you plunk down the $450 you get something you wouldn’t have otherwise had- a goal. A high bar. Something to shoot for. That’s the 95% of what I think we pay for.
Sure- other events share the same distance and are less expensive. But there is some currency in our sport to know you did Ironman Wisconsin, Lake Placid, Florida, Canada, whatever- in a given time.
I think what you pay for is that tangible.
Now, an interesting phenomenon in business is what happens when businesses stray from their core product. Things usually… change.
Let me correct you… It’s $650 or something in that range I am afraid to look at my credit card bill.
Sam’s Cola at the finishers tent. That tells you everything you need to know. (Vegas)