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Ironman VIP Spectator Program

Dino SartiDino Sarti
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Has anyone seen this yet?  The WTC's VIP spectator program?  I had not.  Sadly, my wife found it and now $500 later guess who will be giving me my finishers medal??

I am actually pretty stoked about it, but the cost.  When you add in the kids, it gets steep.  Props to the WTC for continuing to find new revenue streams!

http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/chattanooga/spectators/vip-experiences.aspx#axzz3DP5GSgKM

Comments

  • novaavantnovaavant
    Agreed. This is almost like an a la carte mashup of the XC challenge benefits.
  • Mark RobertsMark Roberts
    It looks great (except for the price)
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    The cost is definitely a wow factor.  I just told my wife to volunteer at the race and no kids made this an easy way for her to medal me.  In 2004 she was helping with bike check in and then just asked to help at the finish line and they were happy to get more volunteers. 

    With this program in place will they limit the volunteers at the finish line? I'm interested in how this will be handled with volunteers waiting for family to come in.

     

  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    All of these benefits are included with the XC package. It is REALLY nice for the families. All depends if you'll remember the missing $$ a couple months down the road...

    It would be particularly nice if they didn't know anyone else at the race. Chances are decent that your wife will know 50+ other families there, so who knows. I really liked hanging around at the VIP area of the finish line after the race to watch other finishers. But it was just my wife. I don't think my kids would have lasted very long there...
  • SwanieSwanie

    Ironman races are so expensive now that another $500 wouldn't be that bad. Like John said, a couple months after the race the money would have been piddled away any ways and you'll have the added experience forever. I will likely do it in the future.

  • Mike RobertsMike Roberts
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    My daughter really wanted to greet me at the finish line and medal me. She got to do both. As a bonus, she got a free shirt and 6 hours of community service volunteer credit for middle school.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    With the kids (4 and 7) I think she will need a base camp close to the course. When we did Tahoe last year, our condo was literally 300 yards from the finish. She was able to go back and forth from the condo for naps, TV breaks, etc. At Chatt, lodging is two miles away so she will need a few more creature comforts on site.

    As I said, I am excited about it, but I do need to hand it to the WTC.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Volunteering as a finish line catcher and or bike catcher is free, and gets you into the transition area to hang out for hours. Each time my wife has done it, she's gotten to "catch" me or my bike or both - the volunteers help each other out that way. And you get food and a free T shirt.

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    !!!WARNING!!!

    Do not tell your spouse about this program while having Thai in Pasadena. I'm pretty sure I just had a $300 dinner..

  • SwanieSwanie
    @Rich- you mean a $550 dinner. Surely she will be there to string the medal over your neck. And what about Riley? This may have been a $1050 dinner!
  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    No, I'm not paying that extra for the medal jazz. I have the last one to my nephew no idea where my others are. I might have him come out for race = 2x VIP tix. Does 11yo count? I'll tell him to act 8yo since Joanne will be with him. I plan to carry Riley across the line, see what MR has to say about that :-)
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    They charged my 7 year old. My 4 year old was FREE! Thanks, WTC!
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Do you get to check a suitcase for special needs? :-)
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Posted By Rich Strauss on 16 Sep 2014 11:07 AM


    ...I plan to carry Riley across the line, see what MR has to say about that :-)

    LOL - I love it. You may force them to make up a new rule. Just be sure he's not wearing compression calf sleeves, they'd probably confiscate him.

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