economic woes

The economics woes are hitting North America Sports, better known as Ironman. For the first time in so many years, Ironman Canada had excess slots. Not just once but twice. First, they did not sell all the slots that were available at the race. 400 were left open, so they put them on the internet. These went fast enough and demand was high, rumored to be 3,000 or more. Still, in previous years you had to travel to Penticton and stand in line to get a slot for the next year.

Then, a large number of people who did pick up a ticket in Penticton, decided not to buy their slot. You get a few weeks to actually complete the sale once you take a slot. So there was a second internet sale. That one too closed soon thereafter. Clearly there are people waiting in line. But times are changing. Now there are excess community fund slots for Coeur d'Alene, Lake Placid, Wisconsin and Canada, all very popular venues. Granted these babies cost $1K a piece, but once again these were never to be found except on race day or maybe the week there after.

Triathlons are an expensive sport. A race easily costs over $1,500-2,500 once all said and done. To say nothing of the equipment, training, and other paraphernalia needed to compete. A bicycle, wheels, a wetsuit, running gear, it's not for the faint of heart. The stress on one's pocketbook is greater than the stress on one's body. That is saying something for what people call the most grueling race on earth.