Ironman Canada to be replaced with Challenge Penticton

[colby]

Interesting.... the folks who bring us Challenge Roth are now taking over Ironman Canada in Penticton.

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/08/news/challenge-penticton-to-replace-ironman-canada_60085

So, Ironman reduced St George to a 70.3, postponed a decision on whether to continue NYC, reduced Mont Tremblant to a 70.3, sold off (or lost?) Ironman Canada...

Diversifying? Taking over more half-Iron and shorter races to extend their reach? Not as much money in the big Ironman races? Increasing demand by reducing supply?

[spindizzy]

Interesting.... the folks who bring us Challenge Roth are now taking over Ironman Canada in Penticton

So, Ironman reduced St George to a 70.3, postponed a decision on whether to continue NYC, reduced Mont Tremblant to a 70.3, sold off (or lost?) Ironman Canada...



Actually, WTC put on 2 events in Mont Tremblant in 2012; the 70.3 was held on June 24 and the IM was held on August 19. I was at the IM (volunteering) and it was incredibly successful event - many of the athletes I "caught" loved the race and it's organization.

I'm not really sure how I feel about the "loss" of IMC - I've not done an IM branded race but I do know that this race was one of the oldest in North America. I guess I am fond of tradition- and I hate to see that go - but again - I realize the change may be good for the city and future athletes. I guess we'll see what happens.

[Pika]

Will be interesting to see how it all works out. As a " local" I use the term loosely because I am from a community close to Penticton but not Penticton itself) I am sad to see IMC go... Mainly because of the 30 year history. I am pleased to see someone else take it on and from what I have read it will be a welcome change.
Btw Susan one of the changes will be a wave start and entries for relays etc..it seems it will be brought back to the community level and not just the " machine" that would roll into town for a week.
We are volunteering this weekend so it will be interesting to see and hear the reaction from others, though I imagine there will be a few tears shed- in some ways it will be the end of an era. So glad I was able to participate in IMC and look forward to trying Challenge Penticton in the future.
Tamara

[Blueberry]

I was surprised they're adding a half in Raleigh, NC. Seems odd. I hate to see the full length "official" ones go because I want to do one one day, and I want to be able to get in one:)

[colby]

Ah! Thanks for the clarity around Mont Tremblant! That explains the confusion I had. ;)

The plot thickens:

http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/WTC_Not_Conceding_Penticton_3013.html

It looks like the city chose to entertain other options after the original owner wanted to transfer ownership of the race to WTC, and the city said they were going to examine all options - choosing Challenge after WTC chose to let it happen.

Fascinating.

[colby]

Btw Susan one of the changes will be a wave start and entries for relays etc..it seems it will be brought back to the community level and not just the " machine" that would roll into town for a week.
We are volunteering this weekend so it will be interesting to see and hear the reaction from others, though I imagine there will be a few tears shed- in some ways it will be the end of an era. So glad I was able to participate in IMC and look forward to trying Challenge Penticton in the future.
Tamara

Waves and relays! Interesting!

(And, I am also volunteering this weekend and looking forward to the whispers among the crowd. Nothing like a little drama! In Coeur d'Alene last year it was about course changes, which nobody addressed until months later when it FINALLY came out the bike course was majorly changing.)

[Wahine]

Pika!! Hi!!

Can't wait to hear your report on what the vibe is this weekend.

Personally, I think this has something to do with the giant corporate gorilla that is Ford IM. I know that IMC has managed to maintain some independence in the past and I wonder if Ford IM was making things difficult?:confused: Who knows.

[sgf726]

I was actually thinking about IMC for 2014, need to see how the Challenge goes and what the cut-off times are. I was looking at the Roth Challenge as well since my sister is in Germany but the cut-off time is 15 hours not 17 hours.

Is Ford still a named sponsor for IM. At IMLP BMW was actually a sponsor and it was no longer call Ford Ironman Lake Placid. My volunteer shirt from 2011 has Ford all over it, but there was no mention of Ford this year.

[colby]

Yeah, Subaru is the sponsor of Ironman Canada, not Ford. Coeur d'Alene has been all Ford, all the time, for years now. Subaru would be much more fitting. ;) I am pretty sure Florida was Ford when I was there, too.

[Wahine]

Yeah, Subaru is the sponsor of Ironman Canada, not Ford. Coeur d'Alene has been all Ford, all the time, for years now. Subaru would be much more fitting. ;) I am pretty sure Florida was Ford when I was there, too.

I'm pretty sure that all of the IM events except Canada were Ford. I didn't know that Lake Placid had changed. Is BMW linked to Ford somehow? Maybe it's just an image change more than anything.

[colby]

I'm pretty sure that all of the IM events except Canada were Ford. I didn't know that Lake Placid had changed. Is BMW linked to Ford somehow? Maybe it's just an image change more than anything.

It looks like the title sponsorships have diversified a bit... Texas has Memorial Hermann, NYC has Aquadraat, Wisconsin is labeled Trek. Either the Sponsors pages on the Ironman websites aren't accurate, or Ford isn't even on Coeur d'Alene for 2013. Interesting!

On Canada:

Today there was a press release for Challenge Penticton, so it's official! WTC/Ironman also sent an email to all athletes and volunteers that said they were looking for another venue and we'd get priority entry opportunity. They are going to announce more details the week of Kona. I signed up, just in case.

It's interesting how WTC states it as the city not choosing to continue the relationship. Also interesting was the local news report's info that more/most/all of the money from Challenge races is invested in the community, significantly more than WTC/Ironman races.

The WTC/Ironman email (I took out the link, if you're eligible you have a copy):


IRONMAN Volunteers and Athletes,

IRONMAN is saddened to confirm that Penticton, Canada, has chosen to not move forward as the host for the 2013 edition of IRONMAN® Canada. We hoped that IRONMAN Canada would continue in the City of Penticton, which has served as the host of the race for 30 years, and that the relationship between IRONMAN and the city would continue indefinitely.

As IRONMAN continues to finalize details, we would like to offer the following opportunity for 2012 IRONMAN Canada volunteers, as well as all athletes who have previously raced IRONMAN Canada:

IRONMAN is aggressively pursuing multiple options, as our goal is to have IRONMAN Canada in 2013. By clicking here, volunteers and athletes will be put on a preferred registration list for the new IRONMAN Canada, tentatively slated for late August/early September 2013. Please note: you must complete the entire process and click “submit” to confirm your place on the registration list. Access to this link is available for a limited period of time, between Aug. 25 at noon PT and Aug. 30 at midnight PT. The preferred list will give volunteers and athletes one week (in advance of general proposed registration) to sign up for the new IRONMAN Canada event. Additional race and registration details will be announced during the week of the 2012 IRONMAN World Championship, which takes place on Oct. 13.

IRONMAN is pursuing multiple unique venue options for the new IRONMAN Canada race and is excited to build upon the long-standing tradition of IRONMAN Canada as one of the most iconic races in the global IRONMAN Series. The new race, tentatively scheduled for late August/early September 2013, will feature double the amount of age group slots for the IRONMAN World Championship, an increase from 50 to 100 slots, as well as an increase in KPR points and prize money for professional athletes.

As an additional race option, general entry for IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant, IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene, and Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas is also still available. Visit www.ironman.com to register.

Thank you for your continued support of IRONMAN, and we hope to see you at another IRONMAN race soon! If you have any questions, please contact Canada@ironman.com.

-- The IRONMAN team

[Susan Otcenas]

Btw Susan one of the changes will be a wave start and entries for relays etc..it seems it will be brought back to the community level and not just the " machine" that would roll into town for a week.

Maybe there's hope for me after all. :)

Following the race on Sunday was bittersweet. But, because I was able to transfer my entry to a co-worker (Katie), I was still able to follow it and be happy for her. She set a PR (11:41:59) in her 3rd outing there. Super happy for her!

[colby]

Apparently Challenge races also allow even more athletes, even after considering Canada was already one of Ironman's largest races. I read on another site that the Roth Challenge course isn't well-measured at 140.6, which might be a little disappointing.

I also heard from various locals and volunteers that more of Challenge's money stays in the community, so it should be really good for Penticton if they can keep the audience.

Mixed reaction from volunteers, lots of people upset with Ironman Canada for not announcing it in advance, but just as many or more that love it for the race, not for the name. A lot of locals spectating had the "what does that mean?" question more than anything. Athletes... many will do Challenge, many are trying to either qualify for Kona or rack up their legacy finishes (after 12, with 3 years in a row, you can be eligible for a Kona entry), some will never do it again anyway ;)

Lastly, I heard a rumor they are looking at changing the course, even though previously we'd heard they were keeping it the same. The current course does disrupt a lot of major roads, but they've been doing it for so long people seem to be used to it.

I guess we'll see :) More choice can't be a bad thing!

[Pika]

After spending the weekend in Penticton I must say I am happy about the Challenge Race. A number of us signed up for next year . There was a very good vibe around the whole thing, the sign up was a snap, they actually thanked us for our support, provided water juice snacks etc for those of us waiting in line, it took all of 3 minutes rather than the dauntless task of form fillling with IMC, and best of all I didn't get the feeling I should be thanking them for the honour ..IMC always made me feel like I should just feel super duper lucky that an average person like me can wait 3 hrs in the blazing sun to hand over 800.CND.

A few of the other bonuses are a great refund policy...up to 6weeks before all but 150.00 back rather than the opposite with IMC and I think the first 2 months you can get it all back, not the 2 day rule with IMC.

From the Challenge website they are keeping the route the same and heck it was less expensive- 600.00 all in.
I am looking forward to supporting the new game in town and the town of Penticton. Let the Challenge begin:)

[Wahine]

Thanks for the info Pika!

I'm happy to hear that Challenge is getting a good response in general.

[Pika]

In todays local paper looks like my community at the north end of Okanagan Lake is going to put in a bid for IMC..Yikes. I hope WTC does not try to run IMC so close to Penticton, I think both races would lose. Vancouver/Victoria would be much better options imo, there is room for 2 races just not in each others backyard. Will be very interesting to watch how things fall out.

[Pika]

In todays local paper looks like my community at the north end of Okanagan Lake is going to put in a bid for IMC..Yikes. I hope WTC does not try to run IMC so close to Penticton, I think both races would lose. Vancouver/Victoria would be much better options imo, there is room for 2 races just not in each others backyard. Will be very interesting to watch how things fall out.

[colby]

In todays local paper looks like my community at the north end of Okanagan Lake is going to put in a bid for IMC..Yikes. I hope WTC does not try to run IMC so close to Penticton, I think both races would lose. Vancouver/Victoria would be much better options imo, there is room for 2 races just not in each others backyard. Will be very interesting to watch how things fall out.

Yeah, seems like a miscalculation. The entire triathlon community benefits from two locations, rather than trying to draw on the same pool of local athletes and volunteers twice for two major races. Consensus of everyone I talked to was the same - Penticton, Kelowna, Osoyoos, all too close to have 2 races a year, especially based on Ironman stating it'll be around the same time of year. It's a lot to ask of a community once, let alone twice, unless they are aspiring to be the triathlon capital of Canada ;)

I am thinking either western BC or western Alberta would be pretty decent choices - still draw on Okanagan residents who want an Ironman branded race, but don't drain their resources twice.

[snowboardgrrl]

I live in Kamloops, another community interested in hosting IMC. We would LOVE to host this event. I've done IMC twice - this year was awesome! As an athlete I've been very happy with the whole experience - the course, the atmosphere, etc. I've ran Boston and some other big city races and don't think it's wildly different in terms of commercialism...that was my experience anyway.

I think if you are going to all of the effort to train for IMC, it should be challenging. I'm not really interested in a pancake PR type of bike course. If you haven't been to Kamloops, we are similar to Penticton in that we have spectacular weather, crazy bike climbs, and an awesome volunteer contingent. We're named the Tournament Capital of Canada so we have an impressive 50 m pool and experience in hosting huge sporting events like the Canada Summer Games, the Western Canada Games, and much more!

I know this is a shameless plug for my community but I am so excited at this possibility!

[Pika]

I heard that Kamloops was also putting in a bid to host IMC- I think that would be a good choice and there is some awesome cycling around there.I was wondering about the swim though- where do you think the swim would be snowboardgrrl? There is a lake not too far out I think but I can't really remember it and I know the river is there. Just wondering about possible routes. Easy access for those travelling from the coast too:) Lots of benefits. I just hope that WTC doesn't succeed in shutting the Challenge down.

[colby]

In todays local paper looks like my community at the north end of Okanagan Lake is going to put in a bid for IMC..Yikes. I hope WTC does not try to run IMC so close to Penticton, I think both races would lose. Vancouver/Victoria would be much better options imo, there is room for 2 races just not in each others backyard. Will be very interesting to watch how things fall out.

In case anyone missed it, Whistler is the new home of Ironman Canada, and it'll be August 25, 2013. Registration for volunteers and 2012 athletes opens tomorrow.

Kelowna was one of the finalists and as much as I love the Okanagan and it would be beautiful, I'm glad that Challenge Penticton and Ironman Canada don't have to fight over volunteers or exhaust local resources. Selfishly, I'm glad it didn't end up in Ontario, either, because this keeps it close to the PNW US. ;)

This doesn't make the decision to race or not easier, though, either Penticton or Whistler. I am signed up for Coeur d'Alene, this is 2 months later. An inaugural race is tempting, and I'd get it all out of my system so I could focus on running through the fall/winter. It sounds SO NUTS though. I could drop Coeur d'Alene, but I love her so. Le sigh... food for thought for the next 24 hours ;)