BRING BACK THE TAPE

I agree the tape was a really cool touch.

Every since i saw video of IMLP all I could think about was running through the tape at around 11:00 at night.  I'm never gonna place high in an IM, maybe even a sprint, but I love racing triathlon and to complete an IM race, that will be just as big to me as any pro winning Kona!

I have to admit I kinda will miss the tape when I eventually do one. Shorter distances never did this and when I saw they did it for Ironman when watching the online live feed... I thought it was especially cool and symbolic, but in the scheme of things if it causes a headache I can see why it was yanked.

I watched the finish line at AZ last year, the night before signing up, and LOVED that everyone got the tape. I'm really bummed to hear that I won't get it.

I'd have to look at the video to see if I even got the tape. I am sure I did, but I was just so happy to finish it didn't really register.

2x

IMO the tape is/was pointless, there is only one winner (male/female) the rest are just finishers. They can better use volunteers for something more important than holding a tape; when I finish my IM next year I hope they don't have it...

Edit to add; this poll should also include a "I don't want the tape" option to vote...

Edited by JorgeM 2009-08-10 9:11 AM

A tape is for the M/F winner....having two sets of kids dancing back and forth with tapes is a mess in the 12-14'th hour.

I don't really care one way or the other, but I do think it was a nice (albeit 'hokey') touch.  IM has made their franchise by not just making about the overall winners.  I voted to bring it back.

I don't care but the tape does make for a nice sash like accessorie....and makes for sweet finishing pics.



Edited by bryancd 2009-08-10 5:44 PM

IMO, the tape is for the M and F winners.

Never really understood why so many people are attached to external validation of their accomplishments.  YOU know you finished and YOU know what it is worth TO YOU.

I was surprised there was a tape when I finished the Full Vineman...didn't expect it and absolutely wouldn't have cared if it wasn't there.  Personally I can't imagine being focused on something like that after all the transformative stuff that the whole journey to the finish line provided for me...and after all those hours on the course.  The stuff I earned was so much bigger than a "winners" tape would have validated that the idea honestly seems silly to me.  Just one more thing to find volunteers to do.

YMMV...

That would require (1) moving fast enough to obtain the "sash-like" effect, and (2) finishing in daylight so it's visible.  I am physically incapable of doing either. 

One word, Chris...Photoshop. Being alone helps too.

You know in the days of old... the tape was used to tell who won the race. Since we have computer chips now the tape is just for show.

And to really have a poll... you do need to have more than one option. Otherwise it is a petition.


The tape is fun though I must admit and they still have it at Vineman and Silverman if you really want to run through one.

Ditto

Since I'll probably be MOP when I finish I'll probably be bunched up with a bunch of people and not get the tape anyway.

Probably one of the reasons they're getting rid of it; someone probably got hurt trying to give everyone in a pack tape and a volunteer collided with an athlete.  Just a guess but highly likely.

Double ditto

X100

So you weren't running with that on the whole way?

Hey, maybe that's the solution.  Allow those who want the tape carry their own on the run.

I wonder where I can get some tape to carry on the run?  They'll probably sell it at the expo and suck a few more bucks out of me. 

When I did my first Ironman i remember that being a big deal that i wanted to cross the tape. But to be honest when I got the the finish, it was really the last thing on my mind. I was so pumped that tape or no tape, i was proud of my accomplishment and was on cloud nine. In the grand scheme of things if you are crossing the finish line you just finished an Ironman and not many people can say that.