IM North America Entry Fees
183
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2306 days
Joe_H posted 37 weeks ago.
do non WTC event and save some $ but it is supply and demand WTC puts out a good product that people want. don't like the price do another event
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1310 days
RV posted 37 weeks ago.
Nothing about triathlons is cheap.
With high demand for slots and a quality run event - it is what it is.
Non-IM events are typically less expensive, so as stated above that is an option. And not necessarily a bad option. However, with more races being added here and the success of the 70.3 series - don't see prices dropping. It would be interesting to hear from a RD regarding all of the $ it takes to put on a safe race.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
152
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351 days
Gary3 posted 37 weeks ago.
You could e-mail the RD and ask him/her what necessitated a $100 increase, doubt if you will get a response.
594
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936 days
gfd posted 37 weeks ago.
The indy 70.3 and 140.6 I participated in were fantastic. Well organized and great atmosphere. I would still like to do an official Ironman event one day, but the location of the event is the higher priority for me. If the indy's continue to be held within an hour to 4 hours of my area I will continue to do them, unless I can fit in some kind of family vacation around the event.
I agree that the prices for all these events will continue to rise as long as there is such a high demand for the product.
764
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735 days
cayman posted 37 weeks ago.
Agreed, the cost does not seem to be a deterrent with IMs selling out in the blink of an eye. The feeding frenzy is visibly evident on the sign up line for current IMers inking their spot in advance for next years race. This is again repeated the day after the race for general sign up, leaving few spots for online registration. That's demand. Actually, and don't let this get out ;) I'm surprised they're not charging more.
john
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
941
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1101 days
PJT posted 37 weeks ago.
Considering that IMoo sold out in 90 minutes this year w/ a $500 entry fee, I don't think we are going to see a big reduction in the numbers at that price point. At some point it would happen, yes, but not $500.
Looking at the independent iron distance races, you can see that NAS has anywhere from a $50 to $225 markup (not factoring in time value of money):
ChesapeakeMan: $350
Great Floridian: $325 earlybird, $450 for latest signup
Great Illini: $325 (closer to $350 with the Active fees added)
Grand Columbian: $300 earlybird, $380 for the latest signup.
RedMan: $275
I have not done one of these indys. Maybe the support and schwag are as good as NAS, maybe not. For me, IMoo is the closest one to home so I do it and save more on travel than the NAS markup costs me. In addition, the M-Dot races are the only way to qualify for Kona. I imagine that chance is worth a premium for some people, too.
Finally, there are good and bad races out there at most distances. I think that NAS produces a consistently good quality product (apart from the drafting enforcement in the midpack, which I think is a valid gripe), and I willingly pay extra for that consistency.
622
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463 days
Iron Dan posted 37 weeks ago.
Triathlons have been getting increasingly popular year after year, I would not be suprised to see race fees for IM branded races in the $700-$800 dollar range within a few years. They will continue to raise the prices until the events stop selling out.
48
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281 days
tri2achieve posted 37 weeks ago.
Are the non M-Dot Iron distance races supported pretty well ?
I'm not opposed to the idea of doing one if the support/price/traveling distance was good.
The likelyhood of me qualifying for Kona are not great (I won't say never) so that doesn't make me have to do M-Dots.
If I did somehow qualify for Kona... I really don't think I could handle the heat - whew! Heat is another challenge all by itself !
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.- Paul
4150
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1542 days
kylie posted 37 weeks ago.
Are the non M-Dot Iron distance races supported pretty well?
It depends on the race and who is putting it on. There are definitely some good ones out there. I don't think I've heard of many bad ones.
Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV
557
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1497 days
Riverbrady posted 37 weeks ago.
Timberman, or any race put on my KJ. He's well-respected as one of the best race directors in the business.
"Care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible."
183
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2306 days
Joe_H posted 37 weeks ago.
chesapeakeman in Md is put on by the guy who puts on the eagleman half and columbia oly and from all reports puts on an excellent iron distance race.
also have heard the full vineman is another excellent iron distance - actually was used as substitute IM after the IMUtah debacle years ago
48
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281 days
tri2achieve posted 37 weeks ago.
I am interested in seeing how this one develops:
http://www.beach2battleship.com/
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.- Paul
183
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2306 days
Joe_H posted 37 weeks ago.
yes that one looks really good too bad it's Nov 1. don't think I can sell my kids on doing halloween in NC :(
379
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403 days
stewarba posted 37 weeks ago.
If you read some of the media guides for these Ford IM races and the average income of the particpants, I would be willing to bet that $1500 per event isn't out of the question. Obviously $500 per entry is too low considering that the events are selling out almost as fast as Hannah Montanna tickets. Its basic ecomonics - supply and demand.
Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines – Brian Tracy
2008 Sprint Tri A race goals
S: 500m in 10:00 – FS Stroke only
B: 22mph avg over course
R: 5K <= 25:00
Place top 50% for my age group
48
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281 days
tri2achieve posted 37 weeks ago.
Obviously $500 per entry is too low considering that the events are selling out almost as fast as Hannah Montanna tickets. Its basic ecomonics - supply and demand.
If the purpose of IM races is to make as much money as you can then maybe they should raise the rates until demand starts waning. If the purpose of putting on an IM race is to hold a quality event (with a number you can manage) and not go in the red doing so, then they don't have to raise the rates to $1500. So what if the entries sell out in 4 hours or 4 days? I do not expect IM to go into debt but if it's all about the money then that's not good for the sport IMHO. Hello non m-dots.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.- Paul
622
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463 days
Iron Dan posted 37 weeks ago.
They are a business and the goal of a business is to make as much money as possible. I have a felling fees are going to keep climbing. However, they are going to do it slowly because they don't want to open the door for another company to come in and start holding races at a lot lower prices. M dot races are the king right now and they know it, they are going to keep raising prices, but I don't think thaey are going to raise them so fast that they lose their status as the "best".
48
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281 days
tri2achieve posted 37 weeks ago.
You are probably right Iron Dan and I have nothing against Capitalism. I'm all for it in general. I just don't think the IM community is best served by the typical business model.
M dot better start creating more races and therefore more supply or the door will certainly open for other companies to get in. 2000 entries times $500 is a million in revenue relatively quick ... very tempting !
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.- Paul
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1266 days
Anton posted 37 weeks ago.
I've already weighed in on this, but tri2achieve makes a good point...A million bucks in quick revenue is tempting. Considering that the vast majority of IM participants have little to no chance of going to Kona...and know it..it makes independent IM's at say, $350 a crack, very interesting.
Wake up WTC...or you'll lose it!
In a side note, I was talking to a tri friend today and he feels that WTC is going to run head on into the weakening financial situation in the US. A lot less disposable income to spend on races...A weak dollar that makes traveling to others countries to do IM's even more expensive...all that stuff.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
2687
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1266 days
Anton posted 36 weeks ago.
$250 would be awesome, especially if I don't have to spend a huge ammount of cash the year before to just sign up to race in Canada...who cares if it's not an WTC/NA sports IM.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
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1438 days
PrinceofClydes posted 36 weeks ago.
I agree completely with you guys.
The rise in prices leads me to think about promoting a race in the North Okanagan for a more affordable price.
I have been discussing with local businesses the idea of promoting a race in Vernon for a couple of years now.
We have an ideal setting - a great lake for swimming,
a beach (above left, looking East) with access and parking where Dragon Boat Festivals have already been held.
A good highway with only one traffic light (26k away in the town of Lumby) in a beautiful 56 mile stretch due East of the beach (no stop signs either) - just a straight out Hwy 6 and back.
Similarly a great run course, easy to manage traffic.
Plenty of beds - we stage a slowpitch tournament annually on Canada Day with 500 teams attending - so there are also lots of volunteers around.
http://yellowmaps.com/topo/_vernon_bc/index2.htm
Mile by Mile Tour: Vernon to Nakusp
How does an IM with a $250 price tag sound?
PoC
"Pain doesn't last, chicks dig scars, glory is forever!"
- Shane Falco.
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281 days
tri2achieve posted 36 weeks ago.
How does an IM with a $250 price tag sound?
Plan it when the temps are in the 70s and it sounds like a vacation!
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.- Paul
time to voice your thoights (again)
Entry fee for IM AZ Nov 2008 is $500
yes, they have to pay bills and i do want them to make money but on the back of the average triathloner??
With the fees so high know i am sure they will see a reduction in participants. Is that their goal?
do they only want professionals?
I hope they will be seeing a lot more competitions from local/non-profit promoters who are looking our for the people/athletes rather than stuffing their wallets.
Lets hope they finally listen and actually do something!
thanks