Why do IM events fill up faster than HIM events?

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Triathlon Talk » Why do IM events fill up faster than HIM events?

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skipg

2007-11-26 11:57 AM

Expert

1194

Subject: Why do IM events fill up faster than HIM events?

Just wondering why this is. Are there that many more people that want an extra 70.3 of punishment? I registered for the Disney 1/2 IM about 2 months ago and it is still open. Is this a good event?

indygreg

2007-11-26 12:05 PM

in reply to: #1068314

Veteran

437

Subject: RE: Why do IM events fill up faster than HIM events?

I am not SURE on this, but I have a good guess:

There are more HIM events than IM distance events. I think there are many more.

If you want to do an IM, there are not that many - so everyone signs up. I am sure it is much like marathons in that many people that register never race an event due to scheduling, injury, etc. But when it fills up so fast, everyone registers early.

To your second point - I am quite sure that there are more people who would do a HIM compared to the number of people that would do an IM - but I think the ratio of possible races is greater than that difference, if that makes sense. In simple terms, just using completely silly number, lets say there are 10k people in the US in a given year that are out to do an HIM and there are 2.5k people out to do an IM . . . but there are 100 HIM and 10 IM's . . . it is still supply and demand. Again, these are just fake numbers I am using to explain what I mean.

yaqui

2007-11-26 12:12 PM

in reply to: #1068314

Master

1728

portland, or

Subject: RE: Why do IM events fill up faster than HIM events?

Supply & Demand.

Looking at the IM brand only, there are 2x the amount of 70.3 races as there are IM races. If you look outside the IM brand and the volume of half's to full is considerably greater.

From late spring through early fall there are multiple 1/2 iron races within a given geographical area to choose from on any given weekend.

scott

Edited by yaqui 2007-11-26 12:13 PM

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jszat

2007-11-26 12:34 PM

in reply to: #1068314

Pro

3906

Libertyville, IL

Subject: RE: Why do IM events fill up faster than HIM events?

How many people have come to this sport saying they were inspired by seeing a 70.3 event on TV? For most that have 'As Seen on TV' as a reason that drew them to the sport, I think the IM distance gets the most press and is the holy grail for a lot of people. Thats not discounting the HIM distance as I think it is much more manageable for the everyman/woman with training volumes and all, just saying Kona and the full distance is what many people envision as the sport methinks. If I knew about sprints and shorter than IM distances sooner, I would have been in this sport longer. Heh.

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Daremo

2007-11-26 1:02 PM

in reply to: #1068381

Cycling Guru

15134

Fulton, MD

Subject: RE: Why do IM events fill up faster than HIM events?

Outside of the US, IM events do not fill up like they do here. Many takes months to fill up.

As was said, supply and demand. A lot of triathletes go for the IM brand races the same way many people register for a marathon. It is something they need to "check off" on their "life list" of accomplishments. All they care about is getting under that 17 hour mark to say they finished and Ironman. This is why there are so many single timers in the events. And it is also why you do not see the independent irondistance events selling out. Back to that branding thing again .....

Having recently finished an IM brand event, the hype is definitely justified as you are treated like kings/queens before and during the race. Which should be expected for $500 of your money. But some of the independents treat you just as well.

There are 1/2's that fill up quickly, but these are usually ones that offer various qualifying slots for bigger events. Eagleman for '08 filled in just a few weeks.

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cgrout

2007-11-26 5:47 PM

in reply to: #1068314