Haven't seen a triathlon I wouldn't want to race! I think the "open distance" category is a great idea. I always have family or friends wanting to come to watch the races I participate to see what it is like. I think with the open distance they may even participate. What a great way to get more exposure and excitement into the sport of triathlon. The only thing missing is a race in the mid-west...seems left and right coast dominant.

Interesting. I think the idea is pretty good, you can get any distance you want. Fees are right up there with IM fees...bummer. I'll probably do the 1/2 in Ocala in 2012, a nice early season race.

"Hmmm, same price-point as a WTC event, but without the name recognition, bells-and-whistles, venue, RD track record, prior RR or experiences, accomodations, sponsor support, competition or finish line panache? Why not?"

dumb

I don't like the logo.

[quote=maggiemeans]I don't like the logo.[/quote]

I think it is funny that you don't like the logo but your signature thing at the bottem says "It's not about looking pretty." just thought that was a little funny.

[quote=maggiemeans]I don't like the logo.[/quote]

I don't think it's very good either. First, the pastel colors are very passive and don't give a sense of excitement, energy or drama. Also, what does "HITS" stand for? I can't find whether it is an acronym for something. Even if it is, "HITS" is a team-sport concept, a contact sport activity (hitting a ball; hitting another player) and has nothing to do with tri. How can that logo help me make a connection between HITS and triathlon? Also, the stylized runner on the right seems to represent only one discipline in tri. And the tagline, "a distance for everyone" doesn't jive with their stated goal of establishing a new "high-end" triathlon experience. Which one is it? Is HITS for everyone or is it a high-end (ie, exclusive) experience? So far, IMHO, off to a bad start. Poor graphic arts, mixed messages, an Ironman price point while simultaneously trying to be everything to everyone. This is what happens when well-minded triathletes with no corporate accumen try to put on races. Good intentions, bad start.

[quote=TriSooner]This is what happens when well-minded triathletes with no corporate accumen try to put on races. Good intentions, bad start. [/quote]

"Tom Struzzieri is the founder of HITS, Inc., the largest equine show jumping production company in the world, and has been running world-class events since 1977"

HITS originally stood for "Horse Shows In The Sun" as far as I can tell from web browsing.

I would have probably given it another name...but...

Why you hating so much before it even gets off the ground? I don't see why you can't offer a high-end experience for every distance. There are many high end triathlons that have multiple distances.

The only problem I have with it is the pricing point. $90 for a sprint? I've only paid that much for a sprint when I've registered on site othewise its $50-60. $250 for a half and $600 for a full? I think I'll pass. I would love to do a non- WTC race but not at those prices. Perhaps HITS can charge that much once they prove themselves in the market, but not at this point in time.

Doing a couple non WTC halfs is a great training tool for a Full IM, but when the price is the same as a WTC HIM, why bother?

Tell me why I should do your race at the end of April in Marble Falls, TX, when I can do Galveston or New Orleans around the same time at the same price?

I think that HITS may be on to a good thing (5 races same weekend) and a national tour, but I think its just way over priced for an entry into RDing.

My question is how does this new series end "the days of planning your (my) life a year in advance in order to register for the full and half distances"? Are they guaranteeing me entry into their HIM or IM, say, a month before the race, or the day of the race? So, either they're confident the race will not sell out, or they have no limit to the size of the field?

[quote=justinpaulson]Why you hating so much before it even gets off the ground? I don't see why you can't offer a high-end experience for every distance. There are many high end triathlons that have multiple distances.[/quote]

I don't take issue with them having a high-end race or offering multiple distances. Charge what they want, create courses however they like. I just think it is either inconsistent messaging (or disingenuous) to also claim to have a distance "for everyone" and charge high-end pricing for it.

Jarhead pretty much sums it up. Why would I pay premium for an untested, unkown event in out-of-the-way venues? Or, why would I pay premium to then have [ALERT: SHOCKING STATEMENTS AHEAD] to share ammenities with someone doing sprint? They're getting the same experience i get but they're paying 1/5 what I paid? My high-end race entry subsidized their race/experience. Never mind. I'll go to a WTC/Rev 3 event where all entrants are doing the same distance, thank you.

Example: Ever do a marathon that also has a 10k, and 5k? Did you pay more? But then did you have to wait in line behind huge 5k fields? Run through the shorter distances that lined up-front? Was there still food, water on-course or at the end after the shorter distances ravaged the aid stations? I won't do marathons that also have 5k or 10ks. Those distances attract huge fields who then raid all the aid stations, leaving squat for the 13.1s and 26.2s. I've finished 26.2 and seen 5k walkers carting off entire pizza boxes from the post-party. I realize with the HITS event that the shorter distances will be on the previous day, but it just wouldn't be an atmosphere I'd want to be part of. Showing up to race the full and fighting open/Sprint/Oly fields for hotels, parking, dinner reservations . . . forget it. I don't have to do that with single-distance WTC/Rev 3/Toyota (etc.) events.

bigcruns:
"It's not about looking pretty" is a reminder and a reference to myself. When I "tri" i don't wear makeup, I try not to worry about my hair.. I typically have grease on my leg from my bike chain .. I have dirt around my mouth and nose from swimming in the Hudson...

the logo comment is purely from a professional business standpoint..
the two have no relationship.

From a busines standpoint that logo is confusing, and not visually appealing.
I don't like to have to work to figure out logos.

[quote=jarhead]The only problem I have with it is the pricing point. $90 for a sprint? I've only paid that much for a sprint when I've registered on site othewise its $50-60. [/quote]

That's what I was thinking. $90 is race day for a Sprint...and an Oly around here for that matter....pretty steep. To [b][i]compete[/i][/b] with IM, I would have gone a bit lower on the price. I guess they figure if they keep the price up, people will think it's up to the standard of an IM branded race. Kinda like a Polo shirt. Same price to make as a Nautica shirt, but that polo pony is a premium...

H I T S.........

High Intensity Triathlon Shindig????

High Intensity Triathlon (dog and pony) Show????

I'm thrilled to see more races being set up. The only way we're going to see pricing get rationalized is to increase demand, or decrease demand. Ia gree, they seem to have priced it a bit high to enter the market, but given what they've been seeing in the marketplace, I can't say I blame them for trying.

I'd call it Super High Intensity Triathlons!