Ironman 2014 - 10 Years of Ironman in PE

[SwissVan]

Well the "business" is now in their hands... They have decided to make these changes (and not always upfront as rightly pointed out by Fabes).... it is up to them to make it work. If people are unhappy on race day due to the above then they will not go back and IM will go back to being a 1,500 athletes event or whatever. If I get pinned for blocking / drafting due to some new guy making a mistake or the route not allowing so many athletes I will be upset and blame the number of people and not go back. This is why I don't do EL70.3 anymore.

 

I didn't get pinned for drafting but I saw everyone drafted and that upset me - that is not Tri for me....

 

They have also now shown everyone there is a big market so hopefully someone will take the opportunity and organise a second Ironman Distance event in South Africa

 

A little bit of completion never hurt anyone and I think it will in fact make the "Athlete" the number one customer again.

 

Yep, good points

There is a plethora of other endurance events, so why not a few more IM type distances

[FanieFiets]

Spot on

 

I say share the love. More people supporting event and sport the better all round. As I have it IM has always upheld the highest standards and wont jeopardise their reputation. I'm just looking forward to the event.

 

For all you moaners needing a pep talk: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/133518-paul-kaye-ironman-motivational-talk-26-november-nothern-subs-ct/

[fabes]

I say share the love. More people supporting event and sport the better all round. As I have it IM has always upheld the highest standards and wont jeopardise their reputation. I'm just looking forward to the event.

 

For all you moaners needing a pep talk: http://www.thehubsa....othern-subs-ct/

I agree with you and have said that in my post.

 

What is bugging me is people reffering to those complaining as moaners or whatever.We are entitled to complain because this was not done correctly. If Ironman were upfront from the begining nobody would be complaining

 

Like I stated earlier I am also looking forward to the training and the event.

[Shebeen]

@fabes you are entitled to be unhappy but there difference you have entered the race where as shebeen hasn't. He has been posting negative comments on a thread (telling us we all drinking cool aid or whatever) where everyone is discussing the race ect. I asked him to start his own thread about 'what ever he has issues with' and leave this one alone.

Last time I checked free speech was just that. You’re welcome to disagree with me, but I’m allowed to add my views to a topic(if it stays on topic). Likewise you’re able to contribute to the TdF,Argus, Epic, Sani2C, [insert random race here] threads without being on the startline.

 

The OP has said himself the debate on this issue is healthy, what more do you want?

 

It’s hard to tell if the race has been hyped up or if there was genuine demand that just didn’t come through earlier. If it’s the second then it points to a healthy state of the sport and a lesson for many other events.

 

I’m voting with my wallet, if someone puts on an iron distance race at an acceptable price point It’ll be on my radar. I’m pretty sure many of the 2500 paid entrants would be happy to see this development too.

[JGR]

Further questions to you.

 

Do you think Ironman will become cheaper if we had more entrants. Say now the coarse could take 5000 people, would the price drop? I would certainly hope so. Bigger numbers mean bigger negotiating power or as some have hoped a possible second event

 

Do you think entries would be sold out had they announced the route change before the big marketing hype? There was no route confirmed at the time so I don't see how they could have. All they promised was the 3 legs, distances and location They did promise something different though.....

 

Please don't take this the wrong way. I think this debate is healthy. I don't take it the wrong way and am always happy to debate with you, especially as you have entered and not just stirring

Yeah it's great for the sport and they have done a great job getting all the entrants in etc. When I spent R 4300 I had no idea actually what I was paying for in hind sight. Not happy about that. You entered a race consisting of a swim 3.8km, bike 180 km and run 42 kms. The course wasn't confirmed at the time

 

Once again i do not have any problems with Ironman making money, I just have a problem with parting with money and I do not in actual fact know what I am getting for it. Yes in the terms and conditions they are entitled to make these changes. All I ask is please be upfront with me about it. If they had anticipated a sold out event they might have, the fact they only released the course after could have been because they weren't sure of the numbers. Knowing the course change would you have still entered? I would have

 

Now we have 500 competitors extra are we getting refunded a small portion of our entry? I doubt it, but it is a thought to consider in the greater debate.

[JGR]

Last time I checked free speech was just that. You’re welcome to disagree with me, but I’m allowed to add my views to a topic(if it stays on topic). Likewise you’re able to contribute to the TdF,Argus, Epic, Sani2C, [insert random race here] threads without being on the startline.

 

The OP has said himself the debate on this issue is healthy, what more do you want?

 

It’s hard to tell if the race has been hyped up or if there was genuine demand that just didn’t come through earlier. If it’s the second then it points to a healthy state of the sport and a lesson for many other events.

 

I’m voting with my wallet, if someone puts on an iron distance race at an acceptable price point It’ll be on my radar. I’m pretty sure many of the 2500 paid entrants would be happy to see this development too.

Debate is discussing the issue - which for your reference says "Ironman 2014 - 10 Years of Ironman in PE" . Telling people they are stupid/mad/drinking cool aid is not debate, we are also not talking about the entry fee or your inability to pay it, for what ever reasons.

 

Who would put on an event without knowing they would get support? Did you stop to think the response to this might lead to a cheaper event that suites you?

 

You can feel free to complain about what ever you want but you end up looking like someone who complains about the government but doesn't get his arse to vote.

[fabes]

Yeah it's great for the sport and they have done a great job getting all the entrants in etc. When I spent R 4300 I had no idea actually what I was paying for in hind sight. Not happy about that. You entered a race consisting of a swim 3.8km, bike 180 km and run 42 kms. The course wasn't confirmed at the time

 

Once again i do not have any problems with Ironman making money, I just have a problem with parting with money and I do not in actual fact know what I am getting for it. Yes in the terms and conditions they are entitled to make these changes. All I ask is please be upfront with me about it. If they had anticipated a sold out event they might have, the fact they only released the course after could have been because they weren't sure of the numbers. Knowing the course change would you have still entered? I would have

 

Now we have 500 competitors extra are we getting refunded a small portion of our entry? I doubt it, but it is a thought to consider in the greater debate.

1) Yes I paid for an event to do 3,8km swim-180km cycle-42km run. I did 2 previously and the routes were 2 x 1,9km swim loops 3 x 60km cycle loops and 3 x 14km run loops. That is what I was paying for. Do you think they decided to change the coarse 2 weeks ago? Definately not. I would guess they have known about this route change for over a year already. When creating a hype about entries inform possible entrants of a route change. Simple

 

2) I would have thought a lot harder parting with my money if I had known there was a route change. The way they went about things I had no choice

 

3) I can tell you now they will never drop the price even if they tripled the amount of entrants

[JGR]

 

Over sight on the hind sight ...

1) Yes I paid for an event to do 3,8km swim-180km cycle-42km run. I did 2 previously and the routes were 2 x 1,9km swim loops 3 x 60km cycle loops and 3 x 14km run loops. That is what I was paying for. Do you think they decided to change the coarse 2 weeks ago? Definately not. I would guess they have known about this route change for over a year already. When creating a hype about entries inform possible entrants of a route change. Simple. Im not sure when this was decided. Perhaps it was a contingency plan. They could have said it but then people would have been pissed if they changed it back if they didn't sell out. Who knows

 

2) I would have thought a lot harder parting with my money if I had known there was a route change. The way they went about things I had no choice. Is that a yes or no?

 

3) I can tell you now they will never drop the price even if they tripled the amount of entrants. Perhaps not but they could avoid the annual hike - time will tell or as some have said host a second event

 

Would you agree we, as the entrants also contributed to creating the hype? I don't see it as a major hype created as you would only get sms, email ect if you had entered. I am personally happy they kept us up to date with entries else I might have missed out.

 

Is you issues the course change or allowing extra people?

[Azi]

The routes on the website, up until the latest announcement was made, was the old cycle route, the old cycle profile, and a new swim route, with a shorter first lap. So updated routes were publicised, and an entrant could have expected that it remain consistent until the event.

 

This being my first IM, I would prefer a single loop swim, though I will now have to concentrate on more hillwork for the cycle. Its no big deal, especially being my first IM.

[fabes]

That's my point, the changes are to suit them and not the athletes as they have tried to tell us. Safer, more fair bla bla

 

Honestly if I had known about the coarse changes I wouldn't have entered. I hate hills now to do a 180km of them might just not be that fun. But like I said earlier, I am entered so now it is what it is and I will deal with it. If I was informed about the changes I would of had a choice to ride those hills, this way it has been done I didn't have a choice.

 

My issues are not only with the coarse but the way this whole route change has been sold to us. I don't really have an issue with extra people on the coarse but all I know is that swim of 3.8km one shot in the Ocean is really daunting to a lot of people so not sure how that is safer for everyone. I don't have an issue with the swim so I am not bothered

[fabes]

The routes on the website, up until the latest announcement was made, was the old cycle route, the old cycle profile, and a new swim route, with a shorter first lap. So updated routes were publicised, and an entrant could have expected that it remain consistent until the event.

 

This being my first IM, I would prefer a single loop swim, though I will now have to concentrate on more hillwork for the cycle. Its no big deal, especially being my first IM.

Is that bold bit a fact?

[davem]

Hi

 

My name is Dave.

 

I am an Ironman addict.

 

Use me, abuse me, but please just let me race.

[JGR]

That's my point, the changes are to suit them and not the athletes as they have tried to tell us. Safer, more fair bla bla

 

Honestly if I had known about the coarse changes I wouldn't have entered. I hate hills now to do a 180km of them might just not be that fun. But like I said earlier, I am entered so now it is what it is and I will deal with it. If I was informed about the changes I would of had a choice to ride those hills, this way it has been done I didn't have a choice.

 

My issues are not only with the coarse but the way this whole route change has been sold to us. I don't really have an issue with extra people on the coarse but all I know is that swim of 3.8km one shot in the Ocean is really daunting to a lot of people so not sure how that is safer for everyone. I don't have an issue with the swim so I am not bothered

I hear what you are saying and if you feel strongly about it you should be able to get a full refund under the consumer protection act as you were 'misled'. I hope to see you on the start line thought

 

I am not actually going to go on with this. I enjoy your comments and respect your views as you are participating and have valid reasons for being upset.

 

Im tired of arguing with people like sheebeen, its depressing and I feel stupider for it. I was hoping this thread would be about encouraging each other and sharing experiences of the journey. It just seems like pages and pages of complaints and counter arguments.

 

I will start another thread for like minded people who want to discuss triathlon, training, time/family challenges, new equipment, their fears, goals ect and leave all the moaning and complaining for those on the side lines.

[AndrewF]

Well the "business" is now in their hands... They have decided to make these changes (and not always upfront as rightly pointed out by Fabes).... it is up to them to make it work. If people are unhappy on race day due to the above then they will not go back and IM will go back to being a 1,500 athletes event or whatever. If I get pinned for blocking / drafting due to some new guy making a mistake or the route not allowing so many athletes I will be upset and blame the number of people and not go back. This is why I don't do EL70.3 anymore. I didn't get pinned for drafting but I saw everyone drafted and that upset me - that is not Tri for me....

 

They have also now shown everyone there is a big market so hopefully someone will take the opportunity and organise a second Ironman Distance event in South Africa

 

A little bit of completion never hurt anyone and I think it will in fact make the "Athlete" the number one customer again.

 

Tri and Ironman are two different things. IF you're talking about trio's in general, then the rule is drafting is legal - olympics. Ironman is totally different with different rules... Just an FYI

[JGR]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/133521-triathlon/

 

if anyone is interested to discuss TRIATHLON

[Bubblez]

Hi My name is Dave. I am an Ironman addict. Use me, abuse me, but please just let me race.

 

Hi Dave.