Rich, I apologize for being less than completely clear. I know a power meter is not a requirement to join. What I was trying to say is the nature of the group dynamics tend to encourage each of us to make that leap. Those group dynamics are the same ones that push us to higher levels of intensity and training than we could accomplish on our own. I was trying to make the point that many seem to experience in this sport - witness the almost universal appeal for carbon fiber etc.
Granted I think that the community slots are a better option, and would definitely consider it if I was planning on a race, and couldn't register online.. I hope this option doesn't go away.
This is my fear. And if WTC does away with (or reduce significantly) the number of community slots- well, I guess Timberman will be my last WTC race at any distance.
Al- yeah, we all pay a lot of $$ to be in this sport. And absolutely WTC has a right to do whatever they want to make a buck- more power to them. But I see this latest move by WTC as being more about taking money away from the local community that is hosting the event and sticking it into their own pockets than growing their market or creating more value. That's being a bad partner and as a consumer of their product, I am thankful to have other options and therefor the opportunity to move my funds elsewhere.
I don't agree with the new program and don't support it, but at the end of the day it doesn't bother me either. I'd rather this then the price going up for everyone.
As others have said WTC is a business and they have every right to create different tiers of service for their customers at different price points. They already have many... normal registration, community fund, executive challenge, pro membership, even slot for sale to Kona. To me this is just one more option. If someone feels it is worth $1000 not to have to go out site to a race to sign up or chance registration being available online, more power to them and good for WTC for making an extra grand.
Even with this change and the one the pisses me off even more about vegas being the same day as IMWI with no warning and after they will not give me my $600 back, I am still doing WTC races for a number of reasons.
Maybe this will encourage people to do the IMs that don't sell out on day 1. Why pay $1000 to register a week early if the race doesn't sell out for weeks, months or never? IMCDA and IMLOU can take 2 mo's or more. IM Cozumel takes many months. It's been over 6 months and IM St George still has general entry slots.
Nemo, in response to your comment where you stated in part, "But I see this latest move by WTC as being more about taking money away from the local community that is hosting the event and sticking it into their own pockets than growing their market or creating more value." I think that conclusion is a bit premature.
I may have missed it but have seen no evidence that this latest news has any impact on monies paid to local communities.
Perhaps I am a bit too analytical on this subject, but I look at it as WTC, as a corporation, making a decision to fix a problem of supply and demand. The demand is much larger than the supply and that means they are not charging enough. This is perhaps one way to fix that. Time will tell.
Seems to me there is a lot of anit-WTC furor going on here and am trying to figure out why. What am I missing? How does this program change the game? Prior to this new program how did one get into an Ironman race?
Travel to race, volunteer, sign up on site
Hope the race goes to online registration and you get in
Community Foundation
Ok now we have the new program, so now how can one get into an Ironman?
Travel to race, volunteer, sign up on site
Hope the race goes to online registration and you get in
Community Foundation
Join the Ironman Access
So obviously I have assumed that the community slots are still available. Ironman promises a certain amount to charities to the local communities so I doubt the foundation slots are going anywhere. So that option will still be available, but I would also assume that the cost will go up accordingly so they can get some people to join the Access Club. So there is one option still available.
You still have the option to travel to race site and sign up. I can't see them getting rid of that. So we have another option to enter an IM at cost. Now remember that this course of action cost money to get to and from race site, as well as lodging, plus food and drink.
Lastly we have online registration. Always a crapshoot. Deciding to use this option was never a guarantee and still will not be. It seems that will be the case going forward now as well.
Now we have the new Ironman Access club. So how is this going to effect the general masses? Who is going to join?
People who don't want to spend the money to travel to race site and sign up because it is either too time consuming it costs close to or more than the $1,000.
Someone who always wanted to do a race but was unable to get that spot
Who else?
I just don't think there are hundreds or thousands of people out there who now are going to decide that since they can pay $1,000 to gain entry to an Ironman are going to do it. How does this program effect the dynamic of entry for the general triathlon population?
So the guy who would have travelled to the race now decides his time is better spent staying home so he joins. He was going anyway so odds of getting in are the same. Of course he no longer is spending his money in the race community and that is bad.
The guy who always wanted to race say Canada, which always sells out on site, now joins so he can do the race without having to travel to Canada. Ok so maybe there are what, a couple dozen at most people who would do this? Are they going to turn away people on site? Do they already turn people away on site at races?
I guess what I am trying to get to is that we already know the rules of entry. I don't see this new program really changing the game. If you want to get into a race travel to the site and sign up. Hope a race goes online. Buy a Community Foundation slot. Now there is a fourth way to enter. I just don't see the market for the 4th way to be that large. I think they badly misplayed their hand here.
@Paul - Why would the general entry now be $1550? I don't get the logic? No one is forcing anyone to join the program. You can still sign up using the original ways of entry.
IMWI Chicas, or anyone who has travelled to a race to signup. What did it cost you to make that initial trip to signup? Just wondering. Obviously it will vary from person to person.
But I will go back to my main question, why is this so bad and why is everyone so angry? How does this effect you and your getting into races? The rules have changed only slightly. Why is it so bad when a company offers a product, one that really isn't needed, and a few people will pay them for that service? All I know is this, if I want to do a race, I will do what I need to do to gain access. I won't complain if I don't do what is needed and then online registration doesn't open. That is always the risk we have taken.
And I have to be honest, if I wanted to do an IM far away, I would run the numbers and if it were close, within a couple hundred dollars, I would sign up in a heart beat. My time with my family for a full weekend is much more valuable to me than a couple hundred dollars. I suspect many of you would as well given the same scenario.
PS - Sorry for the long rambling missive. Had it all laid out much tighter in my head but am at work, world series on, dealing currencies. Lots going on.
I read that and laughed, WTF WTC ??? I wonder how much cities are paying these days for ironman to come to their city. I recall hearing tempe was paying ~ 500k/year and had to provide all police support on the course(not sure if that was correct but sounds reasonable?) They are a money making machine. I do have a 400.00 jog stroller i bought in my early ironman years, they've gotten me many times.. But hey, gotta spend that 22k yearly triathlon budget somewhere..
This seems to have people really fired up. Wonder how many they will sell. I think that the VIP pass part could have value for people. As for the getting in early thing, it seems that with all the new races it has been getting easier rather than harder to get into races. I have always been pretty positive about the IM brand races and think they have a far superior product to the independents in terms of full distance races. 140.6 is a long way to go all by yourself and with 300 people in the race that is pretty much what happens. Even in half with 5 or 6 hundred i feel like I am alone most of the day. With the wtc adding more races there will be less space in the marketplace for the independent races to grow regardless of wtc or whoever marketing mattresses, advanced entry or whatever.
I think the community-funding aspect of the community fund will be lost. Why? B/c after IM Access, This year's racers, volunteers, and on-site reg, most races probably won't go to community slots. Why sell a slot for 1350 to 20 folks when you can have 5000 folks pay you 1000 each to pay full price (1625 when they finally do enter). But I guess they could put 4000 folks into IMUSA, etc. Crazy stuff.
I agree with Bill and Nemo. The reaction to this wouldn't be the same if it weren't on top of (1) the new pro Kona rules that pretty much force them to stick with WTC races (2) the gradual taking over of the Half distance world (3) the debut of the 5150 series, (4) the take-over of certain IM-related businesses (e.g., wheel rental), and for that matter (5) expansion of Ironkids. Every single move is clearly aimed at diverting money from somewhere else into their pockets. We all react viscerally to the corporatist take over feel of a thing we consider sport/lifestyle.
For the record, this new thing leaves a very bad taste in my mouth too, but:
1) The executive challenge program (which I just looked at again to see its details) is a lot more offensive from a egalitarian point of view.
2) For the moment, let's assume that the fact that these races sell out means that it is inevitable that the price will go up. Given that assumption, I am not sure (given a day to think about it) whether I am more angry about the new program or just happy that they didn't raise the price of all the races by $100 for everyone.
3) If the price of this service were more "reasonable"...let's say $100... then it would be a de facto increase in the registration price. There wouldn't be slots for people to register the day after the race. I hope that having it be fairly ridiculous like that will mean that it does not affect registrations that much.
I tend to think that a lot of us would be happy if registration on site were limited to racers and volunteers, with no walk-up registration for everyone else...then just open it up on line. But that's another story.
Wtc sucks big time. This sport is already borderline too expensive for many of us, and this puts it even further out of reach. Also, I grew up on Maui. Making the show in Kona is a dream that I am hoping to make a reality sometime. However, in recent years, wtc has been putting up more and more roadblocks for the average person. Doing independent ironmans is great, but it won't get you to kona. I vote for a worldwide strike against wtc. Of course unlikely to happen and hard to implement.
People are obviously reacting to this from the heart. No one argues that the corporation can do this. BUT this action has clearly unleased a sh*# storm of a hate campaign on a thing that was lauded, mystical, and considered one of the best.
Ironman resides deep in the heart and soul of many of us. It has changed lives. It has inspired people in ways that ripple out into many other aspects of thir lives all to the good. Many of you have it tattooed on your body--surely not b/c you love the logo, but for all those deeper meanings and intangibles that have meant the world to even the hardest-nosed athletes among us. For some reason, this move--more than many others made by WTC--seems to diminishes what Ironman has stood for for so many. I can't really explain it, but Ironman was created by the dedication of its athletes, but unfortunately, many now feel it is now being shaped and replaced by the will of corporation slowly but surely sucking the spirit out of the sport.
Thanks for all of the comments. I was intrigued for two reasons, I would like to do IMFL in 2011 and IMLP in 2012. Regarding IMFL, do you think the strategy of just getting online and signing up in the first hour online registration is open is naive? As it is I am racing that day and will need to recruit a friend or family member to register for me! Any suggestions are welcome, thanks! Regarding IMLP, does it really sell out from on-site registration?
@Patrick do you really think there are 5000 people out there who will sign up for this? And of these people how many were never considering doing an Ironman until this program was created? Because isn't that all that matters? Will this program take slots from regular folk who wanted to do an IM? I just don't see it. You still will have multiple other ways to enter a race.
Ray at the DC Rainmaker Blog did a great analysis on this. I actually did something similiar myself yesterday but Ray writes much better. Here it is: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/10/ironman-access-country-club-program.html His take is that it actually could save money for people. To me it can be a win-win. If I want to do Canada I pay $1000 bucks and I get in. Plus entry. His analysis says it would cost $1800. So WTC just saved me $800 plus a weekend of my time. Sure I am now not volunteering but I will take it.
My $.02...why can't WTC just make the Community Fund slots into these access pre-reg thingamabobbers?
That way, we all know (at least hope) that the money is going to charity. And the person that buys the community slot will get VIP privileges for spending more. I think that would get this shitstorm a lot more 'buy in'.
Your case is THE case for doing Access, if you ask me. Both Florida and LP usually sell out quickly, and in the case of LP, it is difficult to get there. Chances are, unless you are local to LP, it will cost you close to $1000 to get to and stay in LP in 2011 to volunteer and stand in line for 2012 registration. If you're not local to either Florida or LP, you can add in the cost of getting to Florida to volunteer and sign up. This is, of course, if you want to guarantee yourself a spot. If you want to take your chances, you can try to sign up online the day after each event.
IMO, the only way this membership makes sense is if you want to do more than one Ironman that can be accessed using this membership and/or the race(s) you want to do are likely to sell out very quickly and it will cost you a lot of money/time to get there the year before to volunteer and register in person. In that case, it's money well-spent if you can afford it.
Another unexpected surprise from this 'Access' thing: it seems to be normalizing the requirement to be on-site and volunteer to register for next year's race. I was shocked at the number of people that take this route - at a considerable cost of time and money - and see it as a completely reasonable thing to do.
I guess the 'volunteer / come in person a year in advance' is just the new normal and isn't seen as problematic - And now Access makes it even less unpalateable!
With IM CDA in my back yard I am there every year as a volunteer and/or spectator and have raced it as well. And while I tear up each year in watching regular people push their own limits far beyond what they have previously thought possible, I also am continually amazed at the money people spend for IM events. The fancy hotels are booked, rental cars are reserved and the restaurants are full. This one week vacation meets or exceeds the cost of taking one’s family to a more traditional destination vacation.
This does not even count the money competitors spend on the finest bikes, equipment and coaching. Costs seem to be rarely an issue when it comes to preparing for and racing IM. The typical IM athlete struts around the event in his/her fanciest lycra while taking in only the finest, cleanest of nutrition while viewing life through high end Oakley sunglasses.
So with those thoughts, I just think that all the uproar over this latest news is a bit disingenuous. WTC IM logoed events left the regular person in the dust a long time ago.
I personally have been troubled in previous years that IM Canada made everyone travel to Penticton to sign up for the next year’s race, without even offering on line registration. That policy seemed, to me at least, to be an excuse to take advantage of the knowledge that we, as group, have a discretionary cash stash that is virtually limitless when it comes to this sport. I found that policy caustic and totally profit driven.
So my conclusion is that IM events, by their cost, exclusiveness in race entry number limits, and while being crazy cool events of a lifetime for many of us, are elitist in nature.
My conclusion is that of Tucker and DC Rainmaker. The access option simply provides another choice. One should consider that option against the odds of successfully completing an on line entry or traveling to the event the year prior. It is not a big deal, nor a cause for lamenting the end of the IM world as we know it. In fact, I suspect that in the big scheme of things, after the smoke clears and emotions settle down, it will be a none event.
If one wants to see and experience the true spirit of triathlon, become active in local races. Convince your local tri club to offer entry fee scholarships to those local races. Volunteer, offer advice and help.
Now it is time for me to once again begin building my excitement towards the November 1 OS start.
These are comments from Ironman's Facebook page. Do I think this was the plan from the beginning? The skeptic in me says probably not but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I do not think they foresaw the shitstorm that was unleashed upon them. Their PR people suck. Here goes:
IRONMANUPDATE #1: After reading your comments on FB, we realize there is confusion regarding the Ironman Access program. Ironman strives to improve the entry process for our events, many selling out a year in advance with on-site registration. This program resolves two prevalent issues. (Stand by for additional posts)
UPDATE #2: 1) Currently, to guarantee entry to a number of our events, athletes travel to the event location one year in advance and wait in line to register for the following year. For athletes who are taking a weekend of their time, paying for their travel, hotel, airfare, etc., this program is an alternative. (More to follow)
UPDATE #3: 2) Most importantly, Ironman has a significant number of athletes who register for multiple events with the intention of racing only one of them. Once they successfully register for their “first choice” event, these athletes do not attend the other events in which they have registered, thereby reducing opportunities for other athletes.
UPDATE #4: Ironman Access enables athletes to compete in the event they want + eliminates their need to register for multiple events. As a result, more slots will be available for general registration across the entire series. (Final update to follow)
In closing, Ironman Access is a limited program, which will increase the overall number of general registration slots and provide an alternative to those who do not want to stand in line and take two trips to an event location to race once.
So in closing they are saying there will be more general registration spots. Everyone can relax now. Crisis averted.
IM Access is a pilot program, which we will be expanding if the pilot shows we can make sh!tload of money on it. Here are some potential benefits to those of you who can afford the $.
I think they certainly considered these issues before implementing the program. It IS a beneficial program (depending on the value you place on what you get for your $1000) for some people. It also puts more money in WTC's pocket. This is capitalism at its finest. I really don't understand the vitriol here.
As a known tightwad I say- WTC never held appeal for me until the IM Chickas made a plan. So I feel no shame in saying it is a money grab by WTC- clear and simple. Above is just their spin on it, like any politician.
But my first iron distance was an independent race and I think I will head back that way.
To everyone whining that independents are inferior to WTC, try supporting the independent races and maybe they will come up to your pampered standards. But I can do no frills and be fine at the end of the day. And yes, my ire is up about people denigrating independent races. I am not an RD, have never been one, have no intention. But I recognize the efforts that they make.
Yeah, that's it, they did it for the athletes. 'Cause we all know they really only care about us. Right.
BTW- In case any of you were actually thinking of getting one of these $1K Lexus Lane tickets, you can put your checkbook away. Active.com now shows the program as "Registration Closed"
Comments
Rich, I apologize for being less than completely clear. I know a power meter is not a requirement to join. What I was trying to say is the nature of the group dynamics tend to encourage each of us to make that leap. Those group dynamics are the same ones that push us to higher levels of intensity and training than we could accomplish on our own. I was trying to make the point that many seem to experience in this sport - witness the almost universal appeal for carbon fiber etc.
But mandatory in the EN world? Absolutely not.
This is my fear. And if WTC does away with (or reduce significantly) the number of community slots- well, I guess Timberman will be my last WTC race at any distance.
Al- yeah, we all pay a lot of $$ to be in this sport. And absolutely WTC has a right to do whatever they want to make a buck- more power to them. But I see this latest move by WTC as being more about taking money away from the local community that is hosting the event and sticking it into their own pockets than growing their market or creating more value. That's being a bad partner and as a consumer of their product, I am thankful to have other options and therefor the opportunity to move my funds elsewhere.
As others have said WTC is a business and they have every right to create different tiers of service for their customers at different price points. They already have many... normal registration, community fund, executive challenge, pro membership, even slot for sale to Kona. To me this is just one more option. If someone feels it is worth $1000 not to have to go out site to a race to sign up or chance registration being available online, more power to them and good for WTC for making an extra grand.
Even with this change and the one the pisses me off even more about vegas being the same day as IMWI with no warning and after they will not give me my $600 back, I am still doing WTC races for a number of reasons.
Maybe this will encourage people to do the IMs that don't sell out on day 1. Why pay $1000 to register a week early if the race doesn't sell out for weeks, months or never? IMCDA and IMLOU can take 2 mo's or more. IM Cozumel takes many months. It's been over 6 months and IM St George still has general entry slots.
Nemo, in response to your comment where you stated in part, "But I see this latest move by WTC as being more about taking money away from the local community that is hosting the event and sticking it into their own pockets than growing their market or creating more value." I think that conclusion is a bit premature.
I may have missed it but have seen no evidence that this latest news has any impact on monies paid to local communities.
Perhaps I am a bit too analytical on this subject, but I look at it as WTC, as a corporation, making a decision to fix a problem of supply and demand. The demand is much larger than the supply and that means they are not charging enough. This is perhaps one way to fix that. Time will tell.
Seems to me there is a lot of anit-WTC furor going on here and am trying to figure out why. What am I missing? How does this program change the game? Prior to this new program how did one get into an Ironman race?
Ok now we have the new program, so now how can one get into an Ironman?
So obviously I have assumed that the community slots are still available. Ironman promises a certain amount to charities to the local communities so I doubt the foundation slots are going anywhere. So that option will still be available, but I would also assume that the cost will go up accordingly so they can get some people to join the Access Club. So there is one option still available.
You still have the option to travel to race site and sign up. I can't see them getting rid of that. So we have another option to enter an IM at cost. Now remember that this course of action cost money to get to and from race site, as well as lodging, plus food and drink.
Lastly we have online registration. Always a crapshoot. Deciding to use this option was never a guarantee and still will not be. It seems that will be the case going forward now as well.
Now we have the new Ironman Access club. So how is this going to effect the general masses? Who is going to join?
I just don't think there are hundreds or thousands of people out there who now are going to decide that since they can pay $1,000 to gain entry to an Ironman are going to do it. How does this program effect the dynamic of entry for the general triathlon population?
So the guy who would have travelled to the race now decides his time is better spent staying home so he joins. He was going anyway so odds of getting in are the same. Of course he no longer is spending his money in the race community and that is bad.
The guy who always wanted to race say Canada, which always sells out on site, now joins so he can do the race without having to travel to Canada. Ok so maybe there are what, a couple dozen at most people who would do this? Are they going to turn away people on site? Do they already turn people away on site at races?
I guess what I am trying to get to is that we already know the rules of entry. I don't see this new program really changing the game. If you want to get into a race travel to the site and sign up. Hope a race goes online. Buy a Community Foundation slot. Now there is a fourth way to enter. I just don't see the market for the 4th way to be that large. I think they badly misplayed their hand here.
@Paul - Why would the general entry now be $1550? I don't get the logic? No one is forcing anyone to join the program. You can still sign up using the original ways of entry.
IMWI Chicas, or anyone who has travelled to a race to signup. What did it cost you to make that initial trip to signup? Just wondering. Obviously it will vary from person to person.
But I will go back to my main question, why is this so bad and why is everyone so angry? How does this effect you and your getting into races? The rules have changed only slightly. Why is it so bad when a company offers a product, one that really isn't needed, and a few people will pay them for that service? All I know is this, if I want to do a race, I will do what I need to do to gain access. I won't complain if I don't do what is needed and then online registration doesn't open. That is always the risk we have taken.
And I have to be honest, if I wanted to do an IM far away, I would run the numbers and if it were close, within a couple hundred dollars, I would sign up in a heart beat. My time with my family for a full weekend is much more valuable to me than a couple hundred dollars. I suspect many of you would as well given the same scenario.
PS - Sorry for the long rambling missive. Had it all laid out much tighter in my head but am at work, world series on, dealing currencies. Lots going on.
I cannot fricken' imagine how awesome a $1000 visor is going to be.
Bill- no one can summarize an issue into a few simple words as well as you!
For the record, this new thing leaves a very bad taste in my mouth too, but:
1) The executive challenge program (which I just looked at again to see its details) is a lot more offensive from a egalitarian point of view.
2) For the moment, let's assume that the fact that these races sell out means that it is inevitable that the price will go up. Given that assumption, I am not sure (given a day to think about it) whether I am more angry about the new program or just happy that they didn't raise the price of all the races by $100 for everyone.
3) If the price of this service were more "reasonable"...let's say $100... then it would be a de facto increase in the registration price. There wouldn't be slots for people to register the day after the race. I hope that having it be fairly ridiculous like that will mean that it does not affect registrations that much.
I tend to think that a lot of us would be happy if registration on site were limited to racers and volunteers, with no walk-up registration for everyone else...then just open it up on line. But that's another story.
People are obviously reacting to this from the heart. No one argues that the corporation can do this. BUT this action has clearly unleased a sh*# storm of a hate campaign on a thing that was lauded, mystical, and considered one of the best.
Ironman resides deep in the heart and soul of many of us. It has changed lives. It has inspired people in ways that ripple out into many other aspects of thir lives all to the good. Many of you have it tattooed on your body--surely not b/c you love the logo, but for all those deeper meanings and intangibles that have meant the world to even the hardest-nosed athletes among us. For some reason, this move--more than many others made by WTC--seems to diminishes what Ironman has stood for for so many. I can't really explain it, but Ironman was created by the dedication of its athletes, but unfortunately, many now feel it is now being shaped and replaced by the will of corporation slowly but surely sucking the spirit out of the sport.
Ray at the DC Rainmaker Blog did a great analysis on this. I actually did something similiar myself yesterday but Ray writes much better. Here it is:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/10/ironman-access-country-club-program.html
His take is that it actually could save money for people. To me it can be a win-win. If I want to do Canada I pay $1000 bucks and I get in. Plus entry. His analysis says it would cost $1800. So WTC just saved me $800 plus a weekend of my time. Sure I am now not volunteering but I will take it.
That way, we all know (at least hope) that the money is going to charity. And the person that buys the community slot will get VIP privileges for spending more. I think that would get this shitstorm a lot more 'buy in'.
@ Geoff:
Your case is THE case for doing Access, if you ask me. Both Florida and LP usually sell out quickly, and in the case of LP, it is difficult to get there. Chances are, unless you are local to LP, it will cost you close to $1000 to get to and stay in LP in 2011 to volunteer and stand in line for 2012 registration. If you're not local to either Florida or LP, you can add in the cost of getting to Florida to volunteer and sign up. This is, of course, if you want to guarantee yourself a spot. If you want to take your chances, you can try to sign up online the day after each event.
IMO, the only way this membership makes sense is if you want to do more than one Ironman that can be accessed using this membership and/or the race(s) you want to do are likely to sell out very quickly and it will cost you a lot of money/time to get there the year before to volunteer and register in person. In that case, it's money well-spent if you can afford it.
I guess the 'volunteer / come in person a year in advance' is just the new normal and isn't seen as problematic - And now Access makes it even less unpalateable!
With IM CDA in my back yard I am there every year as a volunteer and/or spectator and have raced it as well. And while I tear up each year in watching regular people push their own limits far beyond what they have previously thought possible, I also am continually amazed at the money people spend for IM events. The fancy hotels are booked, rental cars are reserved and the restaurants are full. This one week vacation meets or exceeds the cost of taking one’s family to a more traditional destination vacation.
This does not even count the money competitors spend on the finest bikes, equipment and coaching. Costs seem to be rarely an issue when it comes to preparing for and racing IM. The typical IM athlete struts around the event in his/her fanciest lycra while taking in only the finest, cleanest of nutrition while viewing life through high end Oakley sunglasses.
So with those thoughts, I just think that all the uproar over this latest news is a bit disingenuous. WTC IM logoed events left the regular person in the dust a long time ago.
I personally have been troubled in previous years that IM Canada made everyone travel to Penticton to sign up for the next year’s race, without even offering on line registration. That policy seemed, to me at least, to be an excuse to take advantage of the knowledge that we, as group, have a discretionary cash stash that is virtually limitless when it comes to this sport. I found that policy caustic and totally profit driven.
So my conclusion is that IM events, by their cost, exclusiveness in race entry number limits, and while being crazy cool events of a lifetime for many of us, are elitist in nature.
My conclusion is that of Tucker and DC Rainmaker. The access option simply provides another choice. One should consider that option against the odds of successfully completing an on line entry or traveling to the event the year prior. It is not a big deal, nor a cause for lamenting the end of the IM world as we know it. In fact, I suspect that in the big scheme of things, after the smoke clears and emotions settle down, it will be a none event.
If one wants to see and experience the true spirit of triathlon, become active in local races. Convince your local tri club to offer entry fee scholarships to those local races. Volunteer, offer advice and help.
Now it is time for me to once again begin building my excitement towards the November 1 OS start.
These are comments from Ironman's Facebook page. Do I think this was the plan from the beginning? The skeptic in me says probably not but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I do not think they foresaw the shitstorm that was unleashed upon them. Their PR people suck. Here goes:
IRONMAN UPDATE #1: After reading your comments on FB, we realize there is confusion regarding the Ironman Access program. Ironman strives to improve the entry process for our events, many selling out a year in advance with on-site registration. This program resolves two prevalent issues. (Stand by for additional posts)
UPDATE #2: 1) Currently, to guarantee entry to a number of our events, athletes travel to the event location one year in advance and wait in line to register for the following year. For athletes who are taking a weekend of their time, paying for their travel, hotel, airfare, etc., this program is an alternative. (More to follow)
UPDATE #3: 2) Most importantly, Ironman has a significant number of athletes who register for multiple events with the intention of racing only one of them. Once they successfully register for their “first choice” event, these athletes do not attend the other events in which they have registered, thereby reducing opportunities for other athletes.
UPDATE #4: Ironman Access enables athletes to compete in the event they want + eliminates their need to register for multiple events. As a result, more slots will be available for general registration across the entire series. (Final update to follow)
In closing, Ironman Access is a limited program, which will increase the overall number of general registration slots and provide an alternative to those who do not want to stand in line and take two trips to an event location to race once.
So in closing they are saying there will be more general registration spots. Everyone can relax now. Crisis averted.
IM Access is a pilot program, which we will be expanding if the pilot shows we can make sh!tload of money on it. Here are some potential benefits to those of you who can afford the $.
I think they certainly considered these issues before implementing the program. It IS a beneficial program (depending on the value you place on what you get for your $1000) for some people. It also puts more money in WTC's pocket. This is capitalism at its finest. I really don't understand the vitriol here.
But my first iron distance was an independent race and I think I will head back that way.
To everyone whining that independents are inferior to WTC, try supporting the independent races and maybe they will come up to your pampered standards. But I can do no frills and be fine at the end of the day. And yes, my ire is up about people denigrating independent races. I am not an RD, have never been one, have no intention. But I recognize the efforts that they make.
The active page says Ironman access is closed, did they already sell out or did they stop doing it?
This thread is killing my inbox!!!!
BTW- In case any of you were actually thinking of getting one of these $1K Lexus Lane tickets, you can put your checkbook away. Active.com now shows the program as "Registration Closed"
I sure hope Rev and Challenge come to compete head-to-head with WTC here in the USA. Altho, there won't be another Kona.
Regarding their #3 response, why don't you just implement a waiting list then, dummies!!!
Program cancelled: http://ironman.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/ironman-access#axzz13gVMhFYm