If you do a 140.6 race that isn't "Ironman" sanctioned...

If you say that you are an "Ironman" without having competed in a WTC sanctioned event, they are allowed by law to hunt you down and taser you for copyright infringement.

Or so I've heard.

Call yourself an Ironman. It's not the branding of the race that makes it a challenge. It's the distance.

Or long course man.

call yourself whatever you want. Is the whole reason you want to go 140.6 is so that you can tell people you're an Ironman? If the brand and name are that important to you, then you should probably do a WTC event.

Otherwise, who cares.

If you complete a non-ironman sanctioned iron distance event, are you still considered an Ironman?

You're contemplating doing a 140.6 mile race, and THIS is your concern?

No, it isn't really a concern just a point of interest. The thread wasn't meant to be obnoxious, I was just curious as to what the general consensus was. As it is getting really hard to even enter into any official "Ironman" event, more and more people will be considering other long-distance events. I just wondered if this would lead to a situation in the future where people would have to distinguish themselves based on which race they completed, or if the general Ironman community would accept the value of a non-sanctioned event.

To me, it would seem a shame that anyone would be scorned for doing another 140.6 event, but I wondered if that is how everyone feels or if it is just me.

And, to answer a few questions, I DID complete Ironman Canada this year so as I said, it is a point of interest not really a concern. In the future, however, I may decide to do a non_Ironman sanctioned event simply because I may like the flexibility of being able to enter the event less than a year in advance - for example I have already signed up for several half-irons next year but I did not sign up for IMC - if I have a fabulous training season I might wish to push it the full distance again, but I am choosing not to make that commitment now.

I think you will have a hard time finding ONE person who would "scorn" another because they did a non-mDot 140.6.

And most people aren't going to care what you want to call yourself if you do.

Edited by JohnnyKay 2006-09-26 10:36 AM

For me personally...I would think saying you are an Ironman, or did an Ironman is fine. For the most part, non-triathletes tend to think any triathlon, regardless of distance, is an "Ironman". And for seasoned tri-athletes, I think they realize that the brand "Ironman" is a bit commercialized, expensive, crowded, full of wanna-be's, etc. and they're not going to fault you for not doing a "real" Ironman.

Having said that though, I would not go around with an M-Dot tattoo or bumper-sticker unless I did an Ironman-brand-specific event (and 140.6, not 70.3!). I do know some people who signed up to do Lake Placid next year as their first iron-distance event and they already have the M-Dot bumper stickers. That's definitely not right.

No, it isn't really a concern just a point of interest. The thread wasn't meant to be obnoxious, I was just curious as to what the general consensus was.

IMO, the consensus is respect for those that did 140.6 ... regardless of how many participatns and/or spectators was there.

As it is getting really hard to even enter into any official "Ironman" event, more and more people will be considering other long-distance events. I just wondered if this would lead to a situation in the future where people would have to distinguish themselves based on which race they completed, or if the general Ironman community would accept the value of a non-sanctioned event.

Anyone that is that petty about it is likely doing IM races for all the wrong reasons.

So, if a did any 140.6 race, and someone else doesn't recognize me as an "Ironman", how does that affect my life and my accomplishment?

That pretty much settles it for. I'm for the challenge, not the label ... the logo, the tattoo, the whatever.

Edited by altapdr 2006-09-27 6:44 PM

I am doing IMWI next year but in 08 I was thinking about doing a non sanctiond IM so I don't have to register a year in advance! I hate that. I also don't like the fact that I have to sit in front of the computer the second registration opens and hope to get in! I was lucky I got in but many others didnt! I mean come on what are we buying stones tickets! We are paying $450, registering as soon as the thing opens and praying we get in. It's a joke. This year IMOO sold out in less than 1 hour. I think IMNA needs to do more races. I mean if the demand is that high then increase the supply. If it's that hard to put the race on then hire more workers. I'll get off my soap box now

We are paying $450, registering as soon as the thing opens and praying we get in.

You're also hoping that you're not injured and/or don't have a change in priorities, etc.

Life moves pretty fast. As a principal, two young kids, wife, etc ... I don't think I can halfway accurately predict what I'll be ready for a year from now. I sure wouldn't put $450 bucks on it.

But, IMNA probably counts on people that do that (pay but don't show) .... free money. Wonder how many folks do that per event each year?

I, personally, would rather do a long race with far less participants on the course.

You know what's sad about all this? No one other than us even understands the distinction. Call yourself whatever you want. Heck, I know one particularly marshmallowy guy who huffs and puffs unracking his bike from his Porsche at the local sprint races. He's a triathlete. It's like what do you call the guy who finished last in his class at med school? "Doctor".

And when people ask how you did, and you say 600th out of 2200 for an IM distance, they'll wish you better luck next time.

Many non-triathlon people probably think a 15h ironman is better than a 10h ironman.

I wouldn't worry that much about it! You finished IMC so that gives you special bragging rights! But seriously, 140.6 is 140.6 no matter. There used to be a few courses that were not the full 140.6, such as "The World's Toughest", but it more than made up for the lack of distance by destroying you will hills!

140.6 is along way and a great accomplishment whether or not "The Man" gets your money or a smaller enterprise does. And agreeing with a couple of earlier posts it's like when you do a marathon people always ask " how long was that marathon." I love ignorance

When you complete an iron distance triathlon, you become an IRONMAN regardless of trade marks.  You can call yourself whatever you want.  You can even call yourself Big Mac if you want and there is nothing MacDonald's can do about it!

Edited by Machiavelo 2006-10-18 10:41 AM

I am assuming you are really well trained if this is your concern. Then you might as well enter a qualifier and just race your way in! Otherwise, it is up to you. I would qualify you as an Ironman, you just won't have the official hardware from thefinish line. Either way, you are still going to be phenomenal in by books!





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Having done both M-Dot and non M-Dot races, for me, the only thing that matters is finshing the 140.6 safely, within my goals and having fun. Regardless of whether you do a M-Dot or independant Ironman race, if you complete it, your an Ironman. You will still get "hardware" regardless of the 140.6 race you complete, a medal and t-shirt.

Am not so sure about the "extreme difficulty" of getting into an M-Dot race since if you get onlone early or visit the race site the day after you are virtually guaranteed a spot. And if you miss those means you can always grab a community fund slot in the weeks after. Having raced the first few Ironmans this way I never got locked out.

My biggest problem with IM races is that you have to register a year in advance. I've done it, and will probably do so again, but I'm turning towards other races this year. I can't commit myself 12 months ahead of schedule.