General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Kona Non Championship race? Rss Feed  
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2011-10-12 1:18 PM

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Master
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Houston
Subject: Kona Non Championship race?

Seems like a lot of people want to race Kona (based on the lottery question).

Would you race the Kona course if it was not at the WC?

Would it be an easy sellout if they had a Kona for the rest of us?

Just a random thought.



2011-10-12 1:20 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Champion
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Chicago, Illinois
Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?
I would think so.  For me it would be about being able to race the course and being able to experience many of the same things as the top guys have.   Its not like I would win anyways.   Though saying you were competing at the WC would be ultra cool even if it was via lottery.
2011-10-12 1:22 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Not a Coach
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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?

No, I wouldn't race it.

Yes, it would sell out.

No, they'll never offer a second IM on the island.

2011-10-12 1:24 PM
in reply to: #3721084

Veteran
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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?

Kona is just Kona.  Its like wrigley field.  It doesn't matter a whole lot if the Cubs suck it's an honor to play at the stadium.  The history alone is what makes it important and makes it both a natural for pro's and ag's to want to be there.

2011-10-12 1:44 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?

A non championship race in Kona wouldn't appeal to me at all. 

2011-10-12 2:17 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?
I don't think it would have the same charm. This year there were 4 expos, and a bunch of stores and restaurants had been completely been taken over by tri-related companies. Thousands come just to watch. The buzz is absolutely unreal. Take away the pros, the NBC cameras, the buzz and the throngs of spectators, and I think it would lose too much shine. 


2011-10-12 2:35 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?

I would race it simply because I live in Hawaii.

I don't think it would sell out immediately simply because a trip to Hawaii is expensive.  And honestly...the course is 80% lava field...it's not that great.  I did the Hawaii 70.3 and the only thing awesome about the bike course was that the roads were super wide and smooth.  Other than that, it was a few steps up from being on the trainer.

 

2011-10-12 2:43 PM
in reply to: #3721305

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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?

tjfry - 2011-10-12 9:17 AM I don't think it would have the same charm. This year there were 4 expos, and a bunch of stores and restaurants had been completely been taken over by tri-related companies. Thousands come just to watch. The buzz is absolutely unreal. Take away the pros, the NBC cameras, the buzz and the throngs of spectators, and I think it would lose too much shine. 

This as well...

The Kona IM is also a HUGE burden on the locals.  Road closures, volunteers, etc.  The reason they support it so much is because it's a huge boost to the economy.  For Kona to support a second race, you would also need to promise that it could have a similar financial impact to the locals.  You have to realize that on race day...a lot of businesses close down and it's not exactly easy to find volunteers to support a 17 hour race in such a small town.

2011-10-12 2:47 PM
in reply to: #3721084

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?
NewClydesdale - 2011-10-12 1:18 PM

Seems like a lot of people want to race Kona (based on the lottery question).

Would you race the Kona course if it was not at the WC?

Would it be an easy sellout if they had a Kona for the rest of us?

Just a random thought.

If I was given some kind of grant or something to cover a lot of my cost.  It be expensive, yo.

2011-10-12 2:50 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?

I would not.

I could race a half dozen times here on the mainland for what I would have to spend, logistically, to race there (considering there is no way in hell I'm going to Hawaii without my family). 

Race venues aren't special to me.  The distance is. The training is.  The people are.



Edited by Left Brain 2011-10-12 3:08 PM
2011-10-12 2:56 PM
in reply to: #3721193

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Master
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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?
mktoson - 2011-10-12 2:44 PM

A non championship race in Kona wouldn't appeal to me at all. 

Me either.  If I do it, I want to be in the same race as people on Wheaties boxes...not my local endurance magazine.



2011-10-12 4:04 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Veteran
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New Jersey (outside philly)
Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?
only way this would work is if the Reg race was on Satuarday, and the WC race on Sunday. I would LOVE that. Race on Sat, then get to watch the pros on sunday.
2011-10-12 4:33 PM
in reply to: #3721618

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?

Bry03cobra - 2011-10-12 4:04 PM only way this would work is if the Reg race was on Satuarday, and the WC race on Sunday. I would LOVE that. Race on Sat, then get to watch the pros on sunday.

I'll bet the WTC would love this idea.  You should tell them.  A pro-am.

2011-10-12 4:39 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Champion
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Chicago, Illinois
Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?
I highly doubt they get enough people to cover both groups that weekend but you never know.  Though probably would be the easiest.  I think they get more reg people to do it if they can see the pro race the next day also.  can the island handle that many people?
2011-10-12 4:44 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?
I've never done an IM...I'd do Kona as it is now in a heart beat (assuming I ever entered the lottery) ...The appeal of the SPECTACLE it has become and what that race means is amazing. Watching it makes me realize how great those athletes are and it also is soooo inspiring. I like how it is now. Avg triathletes getting to race same day as the pros. A non WC event would just be a tremendously expensive Hawaiian vacation with a race in the middle.
2011-10-12 5:20 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Champion
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?
It's the perfect blending of a WC race and an exotic place with challenging conditions. It's perfect.


2011-10-12 6:46 PM
in reply to: #3721084

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Champion
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Chicago, Illinois
Subject: RE: Kona Non Championship race?
not sure if the US champ is always suppose to be NYC but if not they could have it every couple of years at Kona on a different weekend and it would sell out big time for being the US champs and for people who really dreamt of atleast doing the course.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Kona Non Championship race? Rss Feed