General Discussion Triathlon Talk » IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!! Rss Feed  
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2014-09-23 12:16 AM

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Subject: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!

Last year I waited diligently for the magical hour of 1200 on the day registration opened for IM Wisconsin, with every slot of the application filled out on a Word file to cut and past into the online app as soon as it opened. I was afraid that I still wouldn't get in, and was disappointed because I wasn't able to volunteer that weekend and thought it might fill with just repeat participants, volunteers and locals applying on site. 

Flash-forward to this year, and registration is still open two weeks later.  In fact, the cancelled-out Tahoe folks can get in for half price.  What's the deal? Have they finally reached a saturation point in the market with the addition of Chattanooga and Tahoe? Are HITS and Rev3 taking away enough (along with the loss of the pros at many IM events) to provide real competition? Have the addition of multiple 70.3s diluted the product? I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on this.



2014-09-23 5:34 AM
in reply to: #5053006

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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!
I don't believe it has reached saturation yet but primarily with the addition of extra races people have time to choose.

Many like to downplay Challenge as a competitor. Granted they only have 2 races in the 140.6 but they provide a good product ( yes they are correcting a few rough edges in AC, but honestly IM still has them with some races) and of they expand their footprint more in the 140.6 market they will cut into the market share even more.

2014-09-23 6:36 AM
in reply to: rdailey1

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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!

WTC has no competition in North America at the 140.6 distance.  Challenge now has three races at the 140.6 distance in N.A. (Pentiction, AC, and Cedar Point) which combined don't sell as much as one WTC full.  HITS isn't even worth mentioning as their 140.6 races typically have less than 20 participants.

Races not selling out as fast has much more to do with all the new races they've added.  Excluding Kona, there were only 9-10 Ironman races in N.A. five years ago.  Now there are 16, six of which are within a month of Wisconsin.

2014-09-23 8:21 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!

Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Races not selling out as fast has much more to do with all the new races they've added.  Excluding Kona, there were only 9-10 Ironman races in N.A. five years ago.  Now there are 16, six of which are within a month of Wisconsin.

And many of the races have grown the number of entry slots during that time, too.

2014-09-23 9:04 AM
in reply to: JohnnyKay

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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!

Im of the opinions that its not so much a saturation standpoint but a price point for me.  in 2008 when i did my first it was under $600, not its $700, factor in the hotel stay that weekend and those two things alone are over $1,000.  add in all the costs of training and travel and the other prep races and you can easily make the case of taking the family on a vacation instead!  I do think the loss of the Pros has SOME effect as well but maybe not as much for IMWI as due to the timing we probably weren't going to get the top tier guys/gals for the most part anyway.

The more interesting item for me with registration still being open is how this will effect volunteer sign up for next year.  Will there be a feeling of "won't have to go volunteer to make sure i get in and just register online?"

2014-09-23 12:08 PM
in reply to: rdailey1

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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!
I think it's the addition of more fall races. And I also actually think it's a good thing.

Races selling out within a minute of opening are not much fun and they present a pretty big barrier of entry to a newcomer to the sport. Planning more than a year ahead is challenging.

I think these races will sell out just not immediately. Actually, I suspect that they will all be full in November because those who don't get into FL/AZ will overflow to the other races.



2014-09-23 1:47 PM
in reply to: djdavey

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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!
Originally posted by djdavey

Im of the opinions that its not so much a saturation standpoint but a price point for me.  in 2008 when i did my first it was under $600, not its $700, factor in the hotel stay that weekend and those two things alone are over $1,000....

So, to your point, with increased market saturation, do you think that registration fees will begin to plateau over the next few years? Or, are we looking at $800-$1000+ entry costs by 2020. Or, would WTC balance things out by eliminating the less profitable races? I'm not suggesting that IMWI will be going away any time soon. It just seems unlikely that WTC will be able to sustain the same growth rate we've seen over the past 5 years.

2014-09-23 3:28 PM
in reply to: miamiamy

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2014-09-23 5:15 PM
in reply to: Fred D

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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!
I am really surprised that it hasn't sold out yet either. I think the big price tag might detract some people, but I agree it's nice it doesn't sell out so fast. I think ICHOO also maybe took some of the demand for the race away. I doubt not having a pro field will make an impact. I can't imagine anyone would sign up just so they can race with the pros, but maybe.
2014-09-23 5:41 PM
in reply to: JohnnyKay

Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!

Originally posted by JohnnyKay

Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Races not selling out as fast has much more to do with all the new races they've added.  Excluding Kona, there were only 9-10 Ironman races in N.A. five years ago.  Now there are 16, six of which are within a month of Wisconsin.

And many of the races have grown the number of entry slots during that time, too.

Yup.  Next year there will be 10 North American IMs in a 11 week span.  6 of those races didn't exist 4 years ago.  Not uncommon to see field sizes in excess of 3000 these days when 2000-2500 used to be considered a really crowded IM 5+ years ago.

 

2014-09-23 5:46 PM
in reply to: buckeyeguy77

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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!

Originally posted by buckeyeguy77 I am really surprised that it hasn't sold out yet either. I think the big price tag might detract some people, but I agree it's nice it doesn't sell out so fast. I think ICHOO also maybe took some of the demand for the race away. I doubt not having a pro field will make an impact. I can't imagine anyone would sign up just so they can race with the pros, but maybe.
The only time I saw the pros at IMMOO was the swim start, and I noticed a couple finishing their race when I was starting my run and a couple women on their second lap during my first. Without the lead bike escort I wouldn't have even noticed them at all! Of course, the two winners were at the finish line at midnight, which is always incredibly cool...



2014-09-24 12:49 PM
in reply to: Farlig

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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!

Originally posted by Farlig
Originally posted by djdavey

Im of the opinions that its not so much a saturation standpoint but a price point for me.  in 2008 when i did my first it was under $600, not its $700, factor in the hotel stay that weekend and those two things alone are over $1,000....</p

So, to your point, with increased market saturation, do you think that registration fees will begin to plateau over the next few years? Or, are we looking at $800-$1000+ entry costs by 2020. Or, would WTC balance things out by eliminating the less profitable races? I'm not suggesting that IMWI will be going away any time soon. It just seems unlikely that WTC will be able to sustain the same growth rate we've seen over the past 5 years.

due to a mix up on the gear bags this year at IMWI (they let some dude walk out of bag pickup with my bags instead of his) i was able to be behind the screens of the Kona slot acceptors...........$965 i think i saw.   I think they are looking for the price point that people are still willing to pay and maybe they are coming up on it.  I know they have priced me out now however!  I think the market will flatten on the registration prices and maybe a few events get dropped as well........who knows tho!

2014-09-24 3:12 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!
Originally posted by djdavey

Originally posted by Farlig
Originally posted by djdavey

Im of the opinions that its not so much a saturation standpoint but a price point for me.  in 2008 when i did my first it was under $600, not its $700, factor in the hotel stay that weekend and those two things alone are over $1,000.... So, to your point, with increased market saturation, do you think that registration fees will begin to plateau over the next few years? Or, are we looking at $800-$1000+ entry costs by 2020. Or, would WTC balance things out by eliminating the less profitable races? I'm not suggesting that IMWI will be going away any time soon. It just seems unlikely that WTC will be able to sustain the same growth rate we've seen over the past 5 years.

due to a mix up on the gear bags this year at IMWI (they let some dude walk out of bag pickup with my bags instead of his) i was able to be behind the screens of the Kona slot acceptors...........$965 i think i saw.   I think they are looking for the price point that people are still willing to pay and maybe they are coming up on it.  I know they have priced me out now however!  I think the market will flatten on the registration prices and maybe a few events get dropped as well........who knows tho!




Add me to the priced out campaign as well. And that is coming from someone that lives 5 miles from the start line of IMWI. Literally my only expense that weekend is the race itself. Too much financial investment for a year of commitment right now. But I also don't care to race a full distance anytime in the next few years until I am a bit more developed, healthy, and can commit to it.

However, with races not selling out so quickly. if things play out well int he middle of summer and I am on good shape it becomes much easier to register 2 months out then 12 months out.

Edited by bcagle25 2014-09-24 3:13 PM
2014-09-24 11:18 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Wisconsin still open for next year...Really?!!
I signed up for IMWI again since I had a great experience this year but it will likely be my last full WTC race. I have a pipe dream to make it to Kona one day, but looking at the results, I need to knock off ~1:15 off my time. That ain't happening in a year or two. I saw the price increase to $700 and thought it was sucky. Then I hit the $50 registration fee and thought it was more BS. I decided I will just drive back the day after the IM next year (did this year but paid for an extra day) to help offset the costs. I can't see myself paying $750 + $50 (or more) next year for race fees alone. Fun race but I rather do 2 HIMs + 1-2 day hotels than 1 IM and 4 day hotel stay. More racing and more cash in pocket... 2016 will be a completely different line up for me with no IM focus. They have reached my max price point for sure. I feel embarrassed to tell non-triathletes how much I spend to race an IM.

Edited by Blastman 2014-09-24 11:21 PM
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