Athletes registered for the current year’s event can register for the following year’s event on the Saturday before the race.

http://www.ironmanwisconsin.com/entry.php

Which is a total crock of sh*t. So it is very likely that people will sign up for their second IM without even finishing their first. I'd love to see numbers on how many first timers (2008) signed up for their second (2009) before racing their first and did not even come back the second year. What a waste of a spot.

I'm going up to Madison in September to volunteer for the race and then stand in line on Monday morning.

How could they not want to do another one? After I finished my first 1/2 this spring IMCA, I wanted to do another one the very next weekend. Is it not the same for the full IM?

That's true. I have no desire to do any race a second time, much less a full.

I like taking a year off in between. I will probably stick to IMC and CDA though because:
1. it is a close enough drive for each to go sign up
2. Close enough to drive to the race

IMC is a beautiful course and well run. I have no problem doing it multiple times:)

How many Sprints, Oly's and 70.3's did you guys do before you sacked up for the big 140.6?

I'm doing my first Sprint, Oly, and 70.3 this year. I figured I'd do two more 70.3's and a bunch of sprints next year, and then take the 140.6 plunge in 2010. Does that sound reasonable?

I had done 2 Sprints before signign up for IMC. I was a swimmer and had done multiple marathons so figured it wouldnt be a stretch to add the bike. Seriously if I can do it , ANYONE (ok, barring physical limitations) can do an Ironman. All it takes is training and time. My husband signed up for IMC as his first race--- HEY jhudalla---maybe that was him! ahhaahahah! He actually did a half about 6 weeks out from IMC though as a practice run.

40-44. He actually had trained with me the year before for my first IMC so he knew he could do it all but the swimming part, and had done a few marathons too. He had to take a TI class and work at his swimming, but came out with a 1:15 which I think is pretty good since he was floundering pretty badly. Took the class in March, race was in August.

I'm basically aiming at IMWI as a motivation for my daily/weekly/moly training. I do have a few olympic distances coming up for fun. When I finally do get registered I'll be able to put it up on the mirror and then I'll really be motivated. As for now, I just need the motivation of the IM to keep me heading out every weekend for the intense bricks and ooober long rides.

I believe that if you volunteer for this years race you will be able to stand in a "special" line and be allowed to register first.

I finally found the email NA Sports sent me about the registration policies. Hopefully, it will answer everyone's questions.

Next Year Registration Policies

Another area where there seems to be some confusion is the next year registration policies for NA Sports full-distance events. The policies will be as follows:

Athletes entered in the event for the current year will be allowed to register for the next year’s event the DAY BEFORE the current event. Entries will be accepted, on-site at the race site, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am, athletes will be required to present photo ID and their athlete wristbands at the time of entry. Athletes will only be able to register themselves.

We feel that it is unfair to ask athletes competing in that year’s event to stand in line the day after to register for the next year’s event. We want to give sore and tired athletes a break, as well as remove the stress associated with worry about getting up the following day to stand in line. The focus should be what athletes need to accomplish at that particular race, not worrying about how to register for the following year. We feel this is the right thing to do, plus it shortens the general entry line for all involved the day after.

General entry for all others will be made available, on-site at the race, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am, the morning following the race. The only event that will have a different time is Ford Ironman Arizona, where registration will be from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. due to the early morning Awards Banquet.

Participants may register themselves at that time and they will not be able to register another person at any North America Sports event. ID will be required at the time of entry.

Volunteers who worked the event and wish to register will have a special line to register the day after the race. If you volunteer for the event, all you need to do is wear your volunteer shirt and present picture ID and register at the specified time.

In our smaller communities we rely on many ‘out-of-town’ volunteers and we feel this is a nice perk for those persons committing their time to assist athletes with their race. The more volunteers the better the event.

Please note that NA Sports events have always featured day after registration for those interested in racing the next year, again this has been the case since 1999. We have enacted these policies in an effort to service people who are in attendance at the event as we feel it is important. In fact, NA Sports used to allow athletes to register themselves and a friend. The policy of registering a friend was discontinued to allow for more general entry spots on-line.

Entry spots remaining for general entry will be available via Active.com beginning at 12:00 noon, local race time. Subaru Ironman Canada has not typically had ANY spots available on-line and it is expected that this may become the case at some of the other NA Sports events as well in the future.

After general entry has closed, an announcement will be made with regard to the availability of Ironman Community Fund Spots. These spots will be available through the individual race websites.

Fifty qualifying spots for NA Sports full-distance Ironman events are also available at two 70.3 events: Ironman 70.3 California and Ironman 70.3 Florida.

We feel these policies are as fair as possible to all who are competing, volunteering or just attempting to register for our events.

For more information, please log onto www.nasports.com