Branson 70.3 - no more KSWISS?

I actually did it in 2010. Yes the bike was brutal, and it was my first HIM. Jumped from sprint to that. Crazy wakeup call for how not trained for riding large hills I was (originally from IL). But in no way did the heat and hills push me away from doing the race. I've been pushing people to do it who are good bikers, especially in the hills, since the run is pancake flat (unless it changed). I loved it. Maybe that changed in 2011. Maybe Kswiss wasn't making the numbers it wanted and Vitacost wanted in. There could be more at play than what's on the surface and that people like you and I can guess at. But I would do Branson again. I just don't like the town itself. Too much hoopla during race time. But that's because I'm so focused on racing. If I were to stick around after, I'd probably enjoy it even more.

I will add in that I don't think Branson as a venue resonates very well with the tri-type crowd.

KSwiss no longer has naming rights on several WTC races.  I know Sugoi is now the official apparel sponsor of North America WTC races.  That probably has something to do with it.

Not exactly.  My IMKS 70.3 and IMLOU finishers shirts from this year are both KSWISS.  They were also all over the IMLOU expo. Probably not seeing the ROI with the naming rights.

I think this was something very recent.  K Swiss was on my Muncie finisher shirt in July, but at the 70.3 WC the Ironman store had all K Swiss shoes marked down 50% clearance and it was not a sponsor on the shirts etc.

I feel the same.  And I also feel the same about Skecher's attempt at an actually functional for fitness shoe.

actually, i have to disagree with you about skechers.   recently, purchased the go run ride shoes and love them.   working the mileage up right now, currently at 8.  hoping to use them in 44 days for NYC marathon.

Or.. maybe it is because WTC has caused them to lose millions and millions... Yes please, beat me some more...

just saying....  

I did Branson 70.3 in 2009 and 2010. In 2009 I was a DNF with bike issues, so 2010 was my rematch.

I guarantee that the bike course keeps a lot of people from doing this race. It is tough.

Yea, I don't buy Sketchers attempt either unless I found out they are a subsid of Brooks or Asics or something.  It's not a brand that think, wow, that's must have quality.

Kswiss has some awesome running shoes.  Just b/c you haven't tried them don't knock them.  The brands I have recently run in include, Brooks, Nike, Saucony, Pearl Izumi and Kswiss.  My kwicky blade Light and the new Blade Light N's are excellent and are on par with the other shoes I garantee

X2

I love there running shoes, i switched to them back in dec 2011. Best shoe i ever used.

That's weird, because my IMKS 70.3 shirt had Oread not K Swiss.