JGR

The heat is a good indicator of what EL will be like

How Ruan got to 71 caps is beyond me - 3rd highest in the squad

I hear you. Change the things you cant accept (not enter) or accept the things you cannot change (risk an injury a few months out)

In your case - did you expect a refund and what were you told?

The OP initially used Ironman and I think the discussion from the other day has carried on here. My post was in reponse to a specific question about the IMSA policy in realtion to the Ironman ... all about the money

No entries are sold unless there is a withdrawal once the event is full. So my entry was not re-sold at a late stage, so there was no athlete using a hand drawn number in my place and they did not get 2 entries fees for one athlete. Having subs would make them more money so the point of them being only about profit is moot

No - it was copy and pasted from their website Comrades is organised locally - Ironman is a multinational based in the US They have contracts with suppliers and have cut off dates for changes. The number are not printed locally

I was just suggesting we dont know their expenses or regulations, not that those are the actual reasons. Admin fee to change a name is not what will happen. I agree changing one or two names sounds simple - but what happens the week before when 200 people realise that arent ready and want subs - If IM had to pay them all out they might not have time to recoup the money which would mean higher prices for all next season. All im saying is I dont think they are doing it out of malice and there might be more at play than we know.

This is the first time its been sold out - perhaps it was not expected. I also dont see it as lacking empathy as there is a policy in place - it just doesnt last until the hour before the race. Ive lost a full entry due to an injury, it sucked, more than losing the money so I can speak from a place of knowledge. I didnt feel they lacked empathy. It was an accident and would be unfair to hold them liable.

I think it will be - a few years ago there was no policy. I think now that it is so popular they no thet wont be left empty handed

Logical to you and I might not make business sense. Anyone could make a suggestion that would improve a business - lets say banking. Im sure we would like it to be quicker and easier but FICA ect are at play. We dont know the full reason for not allowing subs from 6 weeks out - might be shirts were ordered in bulk, insurance for the event and names of entrants had been underwritten, who knows.

Well is you pay some low life R300 to beat you for 20mins it could

The World Triathlon Corporation will continue its “Race Transfer Policy” for all European and South African Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races in 2013. This initiative has been shaped by the opinions of hundreds of Ironman athletes. Effective since 2012, the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) will substantially change its withdrawal policy for all* European and South African Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races. For an administration fee of R290, athletes can transfer their race entry regardless of their reason, and all athletes already entered, or signing up for an Ironman and Ironman 70.3 race prior to December 31st 2013 are automatically eligible. WTC’s existing policy which allows for an athlete’s cancellation of a race remains untouched by the new program. IRONMAN SA WITHDRAWAL: OPTION 1 - REFUND Until 6 December 2013 – 50% refund on entry fee From 7 December 2013 – 7 February 2014 – 25% refund on entry fee 8 February 2014 and after – 0% refund on entry fee To submit your refund request, please contact Sharon Talbot on sharon.talbot@ironman.com. WITHDRAWAL: OPTION 2 - TRANSFER OF SLOT You may now choose to Transfer your slot upon withdrawal from the event. all athletes that sign up for an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 race in Europe or South Africa before December 31st 2013 are automatically enrolled. Athletes can still withdraw and receive a refund according to the existing rules. However, the race entries can now be transferred up until two months prior to the date of the race the athlete originally signed up for. it is not possible to transfer an entry more than once. Race entry transfers are R290 regardless of the reason for the athlete’s transfer. entries for races before August 25th 2013 can only be transferred to races within the same calendar year. Entries for races after August 25th can be transferred to any race prior to June 30th 2014. race entries cannot be transferred to any sold-out Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event. upgrades between Ironman 70.3 and Ironman races are possible, the fee of R290 and the difference in the entry fee will be charged. it is also possible to downgrade a race, although the difference in entry fee will not be refunded. race entries can NOT be transferred to another athlete. entries can NOT be transferred to the same event in the following year. It is possible to transfer to the Ironman 70.3 South Africa 2014 event, provided the event is not sold out, your transfer request is submitted before close of registration, and within the stipulated transfer deadlines. Transfer Policy deadlines Transfers must be made before midnight on 7 February 2014. No Transfers are allowed after this date. I think 6 weeks before the event is reasonable

Rather ask how much a developer would charge to change the systems ect. I think there is more to it than just a few key strokes. IM have a refund/sub policy however they stop it when it gets close to the race so the gripe is actually about when they stop taking refunds/subs?

Im not sure of the policies of 5150 but IM allow you to use the entry for another race and not just a refund. 5150 is alsi in relative infancy and maybe in the future they will change the policy, like they have done at IM (albeit not to everyones likeing)

I understand your point and was in the same boat - having just missed the last refund date with my injury. I bring it back to then what consitutes the grounds for a refund? As many have mentioned the events are super well run and this is probably down the the fact they plan well in advance and hence no changes on short notice. I think the moment they allow one case more will follow

very weird I also think the transition times are included as im pretty certain I ran a little faster than that. (I did take my time in T) My swim was 16mins but I thought it might have been longer

The winner got an 8 minutes swim? That doesnt seem right?

The fact they dont charge sub fee to make extra money would indicate its not about the money?

But then who determines what is a legitamte injury or someone try to get out of it because the didnt train. I dont think it is as simple as punching a few buttons. Imagine two weeks out frmo the race 30% of the field decides there is a sub option and they go and use it. That would be chaos Its a slippery slope - then the next year people will complain then should be allowed to sub just because ... its a touchy subject and I have lost an entry and partial flight and it was frustrating more so that I had trained hard and given up a lot to get into shape and not because I had lost some money. The fact that the process brought you to a place or fitness is probably worth the money alone.

Rather not - the other thread is about the race ect. Over these money issues as well.

Agree 100% I didnt get my feet wet at all - just pass on the side??? Swim group was perfect (18-34) I hardly got touched (and no I was not that far off the back )

Where you aware of the policy at the time of entering? Did you agree to it? This topic has been debated to death but here are my thoughts. A no refund/cancellation policy stops people from entering on a whim and then just cancelling or walking out later making the race field rather small as you mentioned Imagine if people had the option to get a refund a week before - that is not enough time to get more people to enter as some might not be fit and the race would suffer I broke my ribs before 70.3 and got no refund on the entry and only 50% on the flight (which im sure they sold again for full price) so I feel your pain. Perhaps when the race is bigger or they have more staff the admin issues might be less. Just my 2c

This is encourging!

Yip - same signs on the TKei! Ive also seen it cause fights (for the sweets)