For sure, but I was more thinking about a series of shorter races, or a league table with results from various different distances, either individual, or team…. or something along those line…. anything really that is seen as ‘cool’ or ‘difficult’ could easily ursup IM…. or indeed the emergence of something that looks more like organised teams, in the way that cycling works, and to a lesser extend club racing in the running world.
I’ve said several time, that I’m slightly surprised that some or the bigger cycling teams haven’t extended their reach into triathlon yet, and that maybe due to a lack of opportunity, rather than capacity…. that could make tri events from SLT or PTO a LOT more attractive to many than IM racing…. maybe i’m being unfair to IM, and that’s why HR appeals to them.
Just musing aloud really, as there are lots of possible paths open to broaden appeal. Just feel that SLT and PTO seem to have more creative thinking, and are more likely to get there than a stuffy old brand who have little ability to either innovate or use technology to their advantage.
Which is why one would think that normal people would support the proposal. With the current arrangement, less than 10% of Ironman athletes will ever qualify for Kona. If Kona was a normal Ironman 3 years out of 4, then people who want take part would be able to do so. It would probably be a bit like Roth and sell out within 5 mins, but at least people of all abilities would have more of a chance.
If Kona was moved to a different venue next February, it would only bother me as I would lose the non refundable accomodation. But I would be happy to race the World Championship anywhere
Personally I think if Kona wasn’t Kona and difficult to race as the world championships, it wouldn’t be a particular destination race at all, so whilst it might sell out a few initial times, it would soon lose the cachet, and just become another race, I don’t think they’d move it.
Biggest reason to move it would be to create a 2 day event, really gives both MPRO and WPRO a chance to shine ( and for IM double capacity of AGers for one set of infrastructure would be hugely profitable and make the WC achievable for more). Having done a 2 day 70.3 WC it’s great to watch the other day’s racing. They would never be able to swing that in Kona.
However……for me it wouldn’t be quite the same. I want to rack my bike on the pier, swim off Dig Me, feel the trade winds on the bike, see if the slog out of the energy lab is as bad as they say, run past where Mark was shot out of a cannon and finish on Ali’i. That matters as much.
Will we see more of a shift away from the importance of Kona as new people come into the sport?
Ironwar took place before I was born, I’d done one before I’d heard of it, and have only watched Kona 2019 for first time because the tri club had a brewery and a projector for the night.
I’m kinda jealous of those who have this love and investment in the history, but whilst I think it’s a great story its not something I feel part of and as said the course and PITA doesn’t seem as inspiring as it does to others.
ETA: Obviously it’s not quite that simple or that I’m completely against it. I still find myself wanting to try and go to see this promised land, maybe it’s FOMO, but writing that down I do wonder if I’ll be one of the ones that’s disappointed by an over priced dusty road, with the spectacle feeling bit more like a Las Vagas style hype, branding and sales market for a week before hand, money I’d rather spend on a race somewhere else, and a week in Hawaii in a different week, and still have leftovers.
But if IM are still relying on selling the pinnacle of the sport based on a single race from 30 years ago they’re in trouble!
And it seems like triathlon was initially more of a community and pro sport, that boomed and captivated the masses. Those people have been involved with the sport and done the AG thing, and at some point they will start to withdraw and fizzle out, or at least not want to continue with a yearly IM after 10 years, whilst lots of the people coming in seem to be one and dones.
Maybe people like @jorgan would identify with that from some things he says.
If the existing community slowly withdraw over time, and there isn’t anyone left to take on a new challenge, will there be enough people for multiple large scale events?
It’s a good point, but then there’s always the next. Borg/McEnroe…Fed/Nadal etc.
I didn;t know what the Ironwar was. I did my first IM in 2010 - Frankfurt, and expected to be ‘one and done’. Andreas Raelert blew past me like something from a different planet and then I saw him go down the finish chute just as I started my run. I had no real interest or desire to do Kona, but watched the footage that year really to see if Andreas could win the big one. The ensuing Macca/Raelert battle led to investigating what the ‘Ironwar’ was they were all referencing and by the end of the footage I;d decided to go all in to see if I could reach and take part in that magical, mystical race I’d followed into the early hours.
That is the difference: we can watch our sports ‘Lord’s test match’ or ‘Augusta back 9’ or ‘Cup final at Wembley’ and think with dedication, a bit of talent and luck ‘I could be there - on that piece of road - at the same time as part of it, competing’.
Not actually Ironman but it looks like there’s going to be another world marathon major, seems to be a choice between Chengdu & Cape Town. Not sure I’d really want to do either but would still like to do the current 6. 3 down and should have done Boston.
Wonder if it will end up under the same umbrella company at some point?
Think this has been in the pipeline for a while, a friend who’s part of the 100 club and trying to do all 6 mentioned he needs to do Tokyo before they add a 7th and 8th!
and as said the course and PITA doesn’t seem as inspiring as it does to others.
