Sally Edwards splits from Danskin, starts own races

[colby]

In November, HeartZones sent out a newsletter saying Sally Edwards/HeartZones was joining with Trek to sponsor a new race series - http://www.trektriathlon.com/

Apparently Danskin is going to continue running their own races, too, and the Trek races will follow the same formula (looks like almost the same cities, even).

Here's the newsletter - http://www.heartzones.com/newsletter/November-2008.html

And a press release - http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/2040.html

The more the merrier? :) I have to admit, it might be nice if these well-organized race people would also organize longer-distance races, even just stretching to Olympic Distance to offer one more option (kind of like how some of them do supersprint/sprint). I suppose that might be quite the zoo, though.

Should be interesting to see how Danskin does without Sally, and how the Trek series does on its own with only her name to start them up. I'll probably try both as long as they fit with my schedule. Knowing my luck, one of them will collide with work travel. :p

[csh_01]

I did Danskin Chicagoland last year. The Trek triathlon is on the weekend the Danskin is usually held. So, it looks like the date of Danskin Chicagoland is TBD. How do the other schedules compare between Trek and Danskin?

[colby]

I did Danskin Chicagoland last year. The Trek triathlon is on the weekend the Danskin is usually held. So, it looks like the date of Danskin Chicagoland is TBD. How do the other schedules compare between Trek and Danskin?

It looks like they are still determining the dates for the Danskin and Trek series both... Danskin announced most of their dates, and Trek only has a few dates.

[salsabike]

Danskin just announced Seattle today as Aug. 23. Trek still hasn't announced exactly where in Washington or when.

The back story on this must be...something else.

[colby]

Danskin just announced Seattle today as Aug. 23. Trek still hasn't announced exactly where in Washington or when.

The back story on this must be...something else.

So, the Danskin site has been updated to say that they merged with SheROX, and Trek has Sally Edwards... the plot thickens? ;) I saw in Triathlon whatever (the USAT magazine) that she had a column that praised series "like the Danskin" without mentioning her new series.

The Seattle date for the Trek series is July 5th, and the Danskin is actually August 16th.

[salsabike]

Yeah. Isn't this weird? Both races are using Genesee Park, also. I wonder if the courses will be the same for each.

[ilima]

This seems like a dumb move in this economy. I think it would have been better if they could resolve their differences and have a single series. I think a single series has a much better chance of surviving.

[dex]

My understanding from some e-mails floating around on one of the lists I'm on is that essentially what we all knew as "The Danskin" is now the Trek series, and Danskin sold their name to SheROX. People who are looking for "The Danskin Experience" are being encouraged to sign up for the Trek race. *shrug* I think it's all just kind of silly.

I think I may do the Federal Way race again in September, but stay away from either of the Danskin variations for now.

[salsabike]

See, I think that's all just marketing competition. I don't know that "the Danskin experience" equates solely to the presence of Maggie Sullivan and Sally Edwards. It just looks like a big ugly power and money struggle to me. If there's another side to it, it would be good to know what that is. I don't think the head to head competition serves athletes very well, but it could be that there's some merit to it that I don't understand/don't know about.

[PhillyTri99]

Actually, thats backwards. It seems that Trek - which was a sponsor of the Danskin races - wanted to have their own series. They recruited Maggie awayfrom Danskin promising her $s and glory. She took Sally along for the ride.

The Danskin folks wanted to continue the series and went to the SheROX peeps and asked then to step in to take it over. I know lots of girls that did the SheRox race in Philly and they said it blew Danskin away. Much better vibe and support. One of them was a newbie (scared like ****) and said that the mentor that she got from SheROX was unbelievable support and now she is hooked.

:o

[ademetrio]

Hi All,

I handle the PR for the TREK Women's Triathlon Series, and used to work with Danskin, as well. I have read all your posts and wanted to clarify exactly what is going on with Sally, Maggie, Danskin and TREK.

While most of you are correct - Sally and Maggie have left Danskin and taken their team with them to TREK - it seems there is some skepticism and confusion as to the cause and motives behind that move.

I want to be clear and assure you when I say that Maggie's decision to leave Danskin was not for marketing or competitive purposes. It was not a publicity stunt, nor was the move a tactic in hurting the Danksin brand. Maggie's decision to leave Danskin after 19 years was a difficult and risky one (especially in this economy). But to her, the bigger picture was more important: she hoped to create an improved series for you. There are many aspects of Danksin that Maggie was not pleased with, and has been able to improve since she arrived at TREK.

Maggie’s first step was to include and build upon the best practices and dimensions of her 19 years of work in the triathlon industry. Maggie knew the importance of retaining the special aspects of her previous Series that women had come to love. For instance, the new Series would be a spring distance event: ½ mile swim, 12 mile bicycle and 3.1 mile run.

While at Danksin, Maggie was the sole employee responsible for developing the triathlon series. Along with Sally Edwards as the spokeswoman, she built a culture based on the notion of women helping women and supporting each other in a nurturing and challenging environment.

The problem now is that people are still looking for the Danskin race. What everyone needs to understand is that what was once the magic of Danskin has now transitioned to TREK with Sally and Maggie.

I hope this can clarify the confusion behind the move, and if anyone has any questions/comments please feel free to contact me. I want to be sure that all of you have not lost faith in Maggie Sullivan, Sally Edwards and the risk they have taken in leaving Danskin to improve the triathlon series - because I can promise that they have not lost faith in you.

[dex]

I'm thrilled to see that the PR machine is on the case. *ahem*

I realize that your company has likely been sold on the value of monitoring "the social web" for chatter about your brand/products/events, and on the value of countering anything perceived as negative, but a post like that just kind of defeats your whole purpose (especially on a site that is more community than just random chatter). You get a Fail. But, thanks for playing.

/Dex (who has had it up to her ears with marketing BS lately)

[eclectic]

I'm thrilled to see that the PR machine is on the case. *ahem*

I realize that your company has likely been sold on the value of monitoring "the social web" for chatter about your brand/products/events, and on the value of countering anything perceived as negative, but a post like that just kind of defeats your whole purpose (especially on a site that is more community than just random chatter). You get a Fail. But, thanks for playing.

/Dex (who has had it up to her ears with marketing BS lately)

A+ on that one dex

/Miss Cynical eclectic when it comes to politically correct, canned statement, marketing propaganda.

BTW so all the "magic" is gone from Danskin tris now - I am sad :(

In all seriousness I was keeping an open mind about the Trek series and subscribed to their updates.
Note to you Miss Ademetrio, your letter came across like every other big business PR letter and I am less excited about the Trek series because of it.
Community discussion forums are just that - community discussion forums - there is no need to come on and give public disclaimers.

[ademetrio]

I'm sorry to hear you feel that way. The reality of my "Big Business PR Letter" is that I work for a PR company that is composed of 8 people - a humble firm who has pride in Maggie and Sally's vision for women athletes. In addition, I haven't been sold on anything - we are given no instruction to "monitor the social web" - I've done so on my own accord to try to get to know the women of Washington in their preparation for TREK. Up until now, it has been quite a pleasant experience.

I resent the notion that what I posted earlier is "marketing propaganda." I believe that eloquence and compelling speech is important, especially in a forum that is centered around women supporting women - and that is why I, alone, composed that post in the hopes of clarifying any confusion you women might have regarding Maggie and Sally. It is a shame that you took my words as corporate babble and not what they were meant to be - the truth about Maggie's intentions.

Good luck with your training and races.

[NbyNW]

can we ease off a little?

I've also worked in PR in the past so I can be just as skeptical as the next person, but perhaps ademetrio really was just trying to address the questions and concerns of the thread.

I don't mind that ademetrio posted, or that she identified herself as PR -- rather, it seems that her post did not provide any new information. Of course all parties involved wish each other well. Of course Maggie and Sally want any series with their names attached to be superb.

There was a lot of nice language in the post, but I didn't feel that the WHY of it was suitably addressed.

[salsabike]

I don't mind that ademetrio posted, or that she identified herself as PR -- rather, it seems that her post did not provide any new information. Of course all parties involved wish each other well. Of course Maggie and Sally want any series with their names attached to be superb.

There was a lot of nice language in the post, but I didn't feel that the WHY of it was suitably addressed.

Yes, exactly.

[eclectic]

Well said Jocelynlf

The post struck me totally wrong and I know it was from corporate PR ghosts lurking in my past from a former place of employment. They always strike me as a bunch of placating empty words.

AND I was in a very crabby mood yesterday and poor ademetrio caught the brunt of it while trying to do her job as she best saw fit.

Her second post was much more honest and real person so i did appreciate that.

I hope, in the end, the results are what they are meant to be, empowering women through the use of triathlons. I just hate to see direct competition between 2 entities vying for the same audience in the same venue. Why don't they at least do different cities?

I wish they would start one in Minneapolis so there would be one w/i a one day drive of Central North America.

[dex]

*shrug* I said what I think.

Given that the post basically said the same things, and in the same tone, that have been floating around on various lists for the past few weeks, I don't see it anything genuine about it.

I work with the people and firms that sell marketing and PR folk on how to engage/infiltrate/manipulate online communities to promote and/or defend their brands. I've done a fair amount of coaching on that myself. So, when I see it happening in such a ham-fisted manner, I call it out.

I still give it a Fail.

[eclectic]

*shrug* I said what I think.

Given that the post basically said the same things, and in the same tone, that have been floating around on various lists for the past few weeks, I don't see it anything genuine about it.

I work with the people and firms that sell marketing and PR folk on how to engage/infiltrate/manipulate online communities to promote and/or defend their brands. I've done a fair amount of coaching on that myself. So, when I see it happening in such a ham-fisted manner, I call it out.

I still give it a Fail.

And that is the beauty of our country we have the right to say that.

I too still give first post an F but second brought it up to a B - I wouldn't want that job. (I probably wouldn't be good at it because I am like you, I say what I think, my mother always tells me tact is NOT my middle name)

[NbyNW]

Well said Jocelynlf

I hope, in the end, the results are what they are meant to be, empowering women through the use of triathlons. I just hate to see direct competition between 2 entities vying for the same audience in the same venue. Why don't they at least do different cities?

I wish they would start one in Minneapolis so there would be one w/i a one day drive of Central North America.

I just figure more triathlons more better. But, hey -- I didn't realize there was such a shortage in the midwest?

Dex, you're right -- ademetrio could have been way sneakier about it. ;)

[JH-NV]

Has anyone heard why the Disneyland Tri (Danskin) date has yet to be determined? I e-mailed the rd 3 weeks ago and the reply was "not yet." I am curious as to the delay.....

[Pat Worth]

Hi All,
...
The problem now is that people are still looking for the Danskin race. What everyone needs to understand is that what was once the magic of Danskin has now transitioned to TREK with Sally and Maggie.
...


The problem is that Trek still doesn't have its stuff together. I have been trying to register my wife and a friend for danskin (sherox) and trek events in the northeast and as of today one still cannot register for Trek NY Metro (http://www.trekwomenstriathlonseries.com/new_york.html). ummmm ... maybe a little less PR and a little more delivery.

Funny ... the suggestion that Maggie was the one person at Danskin who was responsible for the great event (and it is a great event) would lead one the thing that Trek would be all that much better.

[salsabike]

I received this email today from the organizers of the USWTS that benefits ovarian cancer research. This is the delightful "Subaru" Federal Way tri that Jocelynlf, Dex, and I did last September.


It is with great sadness that we announce that we will not be returning to Federal Way in 2009 with our US Women's Triathlon Series.

One of our concerns this year that we felt might impact our number of participants was the new Trek Women's Triathlon Series that is coming to Seattle in July. Our concern was that with two women's only sprint distance triathlons leading into September we might not have the number of participants that we needed to produce the event and make it successful for all parties. One option that we were considering for 2010 is changing it from a Sprint and SuperSprint distance event to a Sprint and Olympic distance event.

That being said, we are looking at coming back to Federal Way in 2010 and we will keep you posted on what we plan to do. We are still producing the event in San Diego, CA on October 18 and we are also producing the event in Las Vegas the weekend of October 3-4 - we have been hearing from other women's in Seattle/Federal Way that they are considering "taking it on the road" in 2009 for the cause.

Again, thanks so much for supporting the event and the cause - we and OCRF appreciate it!

[NbyNW]

It was with great sadness that I read that email. Fed Way was such a beautiful site for the race!

And I didn't really understand how the Trek tri in July would be reducing the number of participants for a tri that takes place in September.

I hope they do come back in 2010.

Knowing what a good event they run, it might be fun to travel to one of their October events.

[dex]

I was pretty sad at reading that, myself. One of my friends was really excited to do that race this year as her first, since the September timing was right and she liked the atmosphere last year when she came out to watch.

Anyway, I'm not going to get started on the rest.

I do hope they come back in 2010, though. And I'd love to see a Olympic distance women's race in the area.

[salsabike]

I was pretty sad at reading that, myself. One of my friends was really excited to do that race this year as her first, since the September timing was right and she liked the atmosphere last year when she came out to watch.

Anyway, I'm not going to get started on the rest.

I do hope they come back in 2010, though. And I'd love to see a Olympic distance women's race in the area.

Yes. I emailed back and said we would love an Olympic length event here, and September would be a great month for it. And to let us know if we could help. I liked that race, the venue, and the cause.

[sailangel]

I registered for the Sept 13 Danskin Sprint Tri for the NY/Metro Area on Feb 9-- the day that registration opened & closed. I decided to revisit the web site tonight & then followed up with some computer surfing. I found this forum when I was attempting to learn why Sally Edwards was no longer a spokesperson for Danskin's event.

Sally Edwards & TREK now have a NYarea (Suffolk County) Sprint Tri scheduled for SEPTEMBER !3.....the very same date as the Danskin Sprint. This leads me to believe that Trek AND Sally DO want to compete directly with Danskin/SheRox......

Interestingly, the newer event is still open (The Danskin event closed within 3 hours). Truthfully, Suffolk County is a lot more "Metro" than Sandy Hook, New Jersey! I am disappointed that they could not have chosen a different date.

[colby]

I saw last week when I registered for the Seattle Danskin (I was wait listed, oops, missed the registration) that the Trek was moved to September 20 - would have been right around the same time as the USWTS. Maybe they knew that back in April when they decided to cancel?

My guess was that Trek either didn't have enough signed up or couldn't prep in time for July... but regardless it sucks that they think Seattle can't support 2 races in the same month. :(

[salsabike]

Wow. They changed the date to the day after Mary Meyers' second Supersprint Tri was scheduled.

http://www.trekwomenstriathlonseries.com/mary_meyers_tri.html

The Sept. 19 Supersprint is still listed on Mary's website but I wonder if there's any way she can still put her own tri on the day before she supervises the swim leg of Trek. And I was going to end the season with the Sept. 19 Supersprint, maybe.

Gah. Kind of messy out there this year.

[colby]

Wow. They changed the date to the day after Mary Meyers' second Supersprint Tri was scheduled.

http://www.trekwomenstriathlonseries.com/mary_meyers_tri.html

The Sept. 19 Supersprint is still listed on Mary's website but I wonder if there's any way she can still put her own tri on the day before she supervises the swim leg of Trek. And I was going to end the season with the Sept. 19 Supersprint, maybe.

Gah. Kind of messy out there this year.

Maybe they swapped?? That site says July 27 for the Mary Meyer now.

Confusing!

[salsabike]

Mary originally had two planned--one on June 27 and another on Sept. 19. Those dates are still on her website (marymeyerlifefitness.com), so these changes must be VERY recent. Interesting.

I still wish the USWTS was coming back. I liked that one. Wonder how this will all shake out over the next year or two.

[salsabike]

I emailed Mary and asked if the new Trek date of Sept. 20 meant that her second Cottage Lake Tri, the day before, was off (since she runs the swim leg of Trek, as she did previously for Danskin). She said Cottage Lake on Sept. 19 is absolutely positively still on. I may end the season with that one.