M-Dot brand vs. Other Races

My first Mdot will hopefully be an independant next summer (Redman).  Reason being price, ease to enter and proximity.  Price is $275 if you register by 7/31 for a september race.  You can enter up to 2 weeks before and it is only $400 I think and I can drive there in 3 hours.  Now there are alot less racers and spectators I hear so it can get a little lonely but since you train alone in most cases this should be that big of a deal.  Don't get me wrong I want the whole MDot experience of the people/finishline/overpriced everything but it is just not logistically possible right now.

Trifind.com lists all Iron distances races so that will give you an idea of what is available.

swishyskirt - 2008-08-28 8:34 AM Just doing a little preliminary research on IMs--it seems the official Ironman brand races are super hard to get into these days, so I'm thinking of looking elsewhere for my first IM race. Besides from the MDot plastered everywhere, is there any major difference between doing an "official" Ironman race or non-official one? (but that's still USAT sanctioned)? Anyone have any races to recommend on the east coast??

I have enjoyed the whole MDot experience and believe they set the standard for what to expect for a long course event. But I have also done Non-branded events and think that NA/WTC do not have the market cornered on quality.  In the end, I think it is really what you make of it. The Hoopla that goes along with doing one of these things is really just the frosting.

There are quite a few very good quality non-branded events in your area. Beach2Battleship and Chesapeake sound like good races. Check out the race reports from the many BT folks who have done this race and I bet you will get a good idea of what the race has to offer.

But, don't count out the M-Dot races either. There is a lot of hype but the reality is that if you are prepared, you can get into one of them

Do you want a Rolex or a Bolex? 

They both tell time but one is the *real* one.  Kinda crazy, but that is how life is.

CP2K

I did IMLP last month and doing a non M Dot IM race Sunday that offers relay option..which I'm doing.

M Dot races you feel like a super star even if you are slow. Fans and volunteers are there for everyone. Roads are mostly closed and there are other racers there at ever pace.

This other race is small, roads are not closed, 4 loop bike course that doesn't look super safe, 200 racers so the athletes will be more spread out. I'm curious how the vibe will be as this is the inaugural year. I'm glad this is not my first IM and the A race of the season. Some independent races have great feel and folks love it. First time race is more iffy I think.

I'll know more Sunday night the difference...I'll report back. 

I just think it depends on which one it is.  M-dot is probably ALWAYS a quality event.  Not sure what you may get from off-brand.

However, the Silverman (which I hope to complete this fall) and Vineman and a couple others on this side of the country are top notch events.

I did the Silverman HIM last year, and I felt like I was part of something special - probably close to what I would expect an M-dot race to be.

I've heard Chesapeake man is a great IM. I know a bunch of people that are doing it in 09 and chances are they'll talk me into it too

I wanted to do an Mdot for my first IM mostly so I knew they'd have all the "quirks" worked out...plus plenty of aid stations on the bike and run. 

M-dot races are big-league events, 2000+ participants, huge crowds and volunteer organizations, take-over-the-town, well oiled events.  They're also expensive and can be hard to get into.  I'm doing my first IM (IMCdA) next June.  I may do a second IM (Independent) in September if I can <b>con</b>vince my buddy to commit. 

You can still get into IMLP via community-fund spots.  If that's the race you really want to do, the extra $500 or so that goes to charity won't really make a big difference after you've spent $500 (+) to register, $1200 for hotels, $500 (or more) for eating out, $??? for transportation, $2500 for a new bike, $1000 for gels/gu's/sportsdrink, $1000 for massages/PT/Ibuprofen, and an undisclosed amount for extra food during the year of training. 

So go ahead...sign up! 

Do the distance in my book you are an Ironman.

Tomorrow about 150 folks are doing the inagural IDT (iron distance triathlon) at Plymouth Rock..I suspect all that finish will call themselves Ironmen.

I'm lucky to have found 2 other BTers to do it as a relay...not an option with M Dot races. I just did IMLP 6 weeks ago so this will be a blast.