How to get into an Ironman

The official MDot Ironman distance races sell out very quickly and you need to register the day after the race this year.

For example I'm doing Ironman Lake Placid July 20th. Athletes competing this year are allowed to register in a two hour window the day before the race on the 19th. On July 21st those folks at the race site wait in a long line to register. After those on site register if there are any more spots they have on-line registration. Last year IMLP sold out on-line within  10 minutes.

Getting into a Ironman can be difficult so going in person to the race year before is the best way to assure you can get in.

In the past IMCDA and IMKY did not sell out the first day. Each year it tends to be harder and harder to get in.

Check out the IM board and there are many threads about registering for IM. There are other options to register but they are more complicated and more expensive. Community slots is an option where you donate money to a local charity and pay for registration fee and a couple of other ways.

Most non M Dot IM distance races you can sign up much later. About 25% of those that sign up for an IM a year a head don't end up racing. 

one can sign-up on-line for IMs.  Some do sell out rather quickly however.  IMUSA, IMFL, IMMoo come to mind.  if you want to do those, being there in person the year before is the best bet.  Kono is the only IM that you have to qualify for(or win the lotto). 

There is also community slots for IMs.  For those you have to pledge a good chunck of change to get in.

I haven't heard much of a debate of IM vs non-IM 140.3.  IMHO, the IM distance = 140.3.  Just like the OLY distance = 1.5k, 40k, 10k.  If you do the distance you are an IM.

You find one you want to do, go onto Active.com if they are the ones handling the registrations and you pay your entry fee, just like any other tri!  The only one you have to qualify for (or get in through the lottery system) is the world championships in Kona (the "big one" that everyone knows about).

The difference for US ones???  Online registration is usually closed within an hour of when it opens as they allow people on site at the race sign up first and then any leftover slots then get put online.  Think Ticket Master back in the day ........ if you were at the concert venue and slept over night there you usually get the best seats.  Same idea for IM branded races in the States.

Overseas it is a little easier to get into an IM brand race but if you are not close then you have to factor in travel and lodging.

And regardless of what some small minded people may think, if you do any race that is a 140.6 distance you can call yourself whatever you want!  I know almost no one that thinks one of the independent iron distance races does not make you an ironman!!

Unfortunately, if you stopped at 140.3, you wouldn't be considered an Ironman.  It would be a shame to come that far and not finish off the last .3!

Depends on the race.  Some, like Kona, you have to qualify for.  Others you can just sign up for.  Most races fill up very, very quickly so you have to be on top of the registration dates.

Are you logging all of your workouts?  Doesn't look like you have much of a base on the bike or running.  Suggest you start researching some of the Iron distance training plans to help you get ready.

Mark

Nope. 

Is it possible to transfer an Ironman registration from one person to another?  For example, if I have an IMMOO 2009 slot but cannot make the race, can I transfer my spot to another athlete?

No

Don't you know that you can't call yourself an Ironman unless you've raced and finished Kona? Duh, everyone knows that! I learned this from my good friend Charlie Yu.

Thanks - that's what I figured.  Bummer.

right you are, sir......

I probably talk too much about it, but my first is going to be Silverman.  A long course race here in Las Vegas that is a VERY good race, well supported, organized, etc...  We have pros who compete in it as well.  Registration is still open, and it's only two months away.

I heard Vineman is a great race too, but it may sell out a little faster, but I still think it's open a little longer than an M-Dot race.

Right, in general I agree. But I have family in Madison area so would prefer IMWI.

Pretty sure IMC is filled now, but IMKY is currently still open. 

Yep I got into IM Canada today...after I registered I tired again to see if it was still open. No 13 minutes after it opened it was closed again.

You just need to be patient wait and refresh your browser a lot...