If you live in Fairbanks (or some other remote area where there is no IM or HIM within 3,000 miles), you'd have twice the expense to achieve a goal of completing an IM.

I did my first IM at IMC in 2003, not having done a HIM, just because it was the nearest race longer than OLy distance to where I lived.

PoC

I'm net necessarily saying that the 70.3 races need to be qualifiers because that would mean that the IM races would have extremely small fields (if the only way to get in were to qualify at 70.3).

If they allowed returning IMer's a "no qualify" entry, then the numbers would stay up. Meaning that people who already raced, for instance, IMLP 06 wouldn't have to do another 70.3, instead they can just sign up for IMLP.

Having 70.3 races as qualifiers would still shut out a lot of people, unless of course the slots went 20 deep. My thing is simply to make people aware of HOW hard an IM is by training and racing a 70.3 or any HIM.

I think a lot people say they know an IM is hard, but they don't *really* know how hard it is. Although a HIM is only half, it still gives really good insight into the time, demand, challenges, etc. that training for an IM would take. I don't think people fully realize that when they sign up for these races.

Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

Not just DO a HIM, but go 6:30 or less. That would self-select IM finish times.

Allow people to sign up for the IM as they do now. Those who have completed an IM in 14 hours or less in the 6 months prior to registration are automatically guaranteed entry.

Those who have not must either complete an IM in 14 hours or less (remember they could have been qualified for this event previously) or comlete a HIM in 6:30 or less 3 or more months before the race date. So you have a waiting list. If you don't make the cut, try again next year. It costs you $100 (non-refundable) to hold your spot, so there's money to make off of this.

Qualification races only need to be USAT certified.

I think the plan is to greatly increse the number of 70.3 races. Since they already carry the "Ironman" moniker, they would be a fitting series to act as full "Ironman" qualifiers.

I like the idea very much... I do intend to do a HIM before I do an IM! I think it is a necessary step towards the greatest challenge.

It makes sense and that is how I did it as well.
It gives you a chance to learn how a triathlon works, you have a chance to learn the rules, and experience them in action.

:D

Have to disagree with the sprint and oly distances...they're a completely different type of race than the HIM/IM. What do the people (like my girlfriend) do who cannot go fast due to asthma/lung functions, but can steadily pound the pavement for hours and hours on end?

Buildup within sprint type events, or endurance type events, sure. Crossing over doesn't make logical sense to me.

it's a much better idea than a 14hr cutoff.

i couldn't imagine not doing one before attempting an IM.

i wonder what the stats would be on IM competitors that have not completed a HIM prior?