General Discussion Triathlon Talk » 70.3 in Kansas? Rss Feed  
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2019-02-07 8:26 AM

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Subject: 70.3 in Kansas?
Been out of the triathlon world for a while, looking to get back in. Are there any 70.3 distance races in the KC area anymore? Looks like the Legend Endurance races are not coming back.


2019-02-07 3:50 PM
in reply to: kuatb

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?
Boulder and Muncie at 8 hours are the closest IM branded 70.3's.

Redman in OK is pretty close in September.
2019-02-08 8:23 AM
in reply to: kuatb

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?

There is also Halfmax at Innsbrook, Missouri on the second weekend in June. Tulsa also has a 70.3 distance race in May.

On a side note, I inquired to a family member who helps put on the race for the Parks & Rec about the status of Tinman in Topeka, which has also been produced by Legend Endurance/Silverback, and they are still waiting to hear back from Silverback. This is odd to me, if Legend has truly closed its doors, as it appears outwardly, why wouldn't you tell people, like the Tinman folks, so they can get going on finding a new event producer. The race has been around for 38+ years.

On another note, it's sad the number of races that are no longer around.

2019-02-08 9:17 AM
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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?

Ya...my thoughts are the same as Mike's.  When I saw the title of this thread I though you would be asking about the IM70.3 that was discontinued in 2014 and was going to suggest the Legend 100.  Yes, it is odd that they would not be doing that race any more.  I also thought of the Tinman race. 

I am in Oklahoma and network with the TAT Tri Club members (Tulsa Area Triathletes).  I will be doing the Saturday TAT race in Bansdal, OK on May 18th.  The 70.3 race is on Sunday the 19th.  I also will be doing the Redman 70.3 on Saturday September 21.  I did IM Boulder last year and was looking at the Halfmax at Innsbrook, Missouri or the IM Muncie race.  There is a group of people from the TAT tri club going to the Muncie race this year.   Yep...that is about it for 70.3 races within 8 hours of Kansas City.  All of them these are Saturday races with the exception of the TAT 70.3 Race in Barnsdal, OK.  I don't do Sunday races so there may be some other Sunday Races that I have over looked but the 70.3 races are like Marathons in that there are only a few within an 8 hour radius (and the ear I signed up for the March Garmin Marathon in Olathe, KS they canceled it for 2 inches of snow that was completely melted by 10 AM on race day.  I am still ticked about that.  I had already drove 6 hours to Olathe and finished carb loading then got the notice that the race was canceled.  After training for months and tapering for 3 weeks you don't get any redo's on races) . 



Edited by BlueBoy26 2019-02-08 9:25 AM
2019-02-08 10:20 AM
in reply to: BlueBoy26

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?
It is disappointing. Wonder if Legend would have been better off just doing one 70.3 rather than 3. I would think the tri community would be big enough to support on 70.3
2019-02-08 10:35 AM
in reply to: kuatb

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?
You're making the assumption someone wants to produce the event.

This was a long time coming.

The service for the price wasn't there for Legends. They were probably losing money each year after IM 70.3 KS evaporated and cutting corners every year to save money. I'm sure they knew if they tried to substantially raise prices to make ends meet, people would stop coming.

People are not going to pay IM money for a non-IM event.

Ultramax does KC Tri right. Quality event. Prices are not outrageous unless you wait too late.
When Elite Cycles bought Meltdown and Jackson County, they tried to run it bare bones charging way too high of prices and they went away.

You need a quality RD group to want to take the load to support a long distance event like that and I don't think it will happen in the KC area. I know I would not want to try that... RD or not.


2019-02-15 2:56 PM
in reply to: Barkeep

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?
Originally posted by Barkeep

There is also Halfmax at Innsbrook, Missouri on the second weekend in June. Tulsa also has a 70.3 distance race in May.

On a side note, I inquired to a family member who helps put on the race for the Parks & Rec about the status of Tinman in Topeka, which has also been produced by Legend Endurance/Silverback, and they are still waiting to hear back from Silverback. This is odd to me, if Legend has truly closed its doors, as it appears outwardly, why wouldn't you tell people, like the Tinman folks, so they can get going on finding a new event producer. The race has been around for 38+ years.

On another note, it's sad the number of races that are no longer around.




I'm still waiting for race results from last years Tinman to be posted on the USAT site.
2019-02-16 8:02 AM
in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?

Originally posted by TriJayhawkRyan  People are not going to pay IM money for a non-IM event.

I have done two non-IM 70.3's (HITS Marle Falls & Redman Oklahoma City) and two IM-70.3 (St. George & Boulder).  The IM races were not much more than the non-IM (15-20% difference).  The race organization and events were just as good at the non IM events.  The difference is the crowds.  The IM events had 2000 age group athletes with over 300 in my age group.  There were huge crowds at the finish line, big expo, etc.  The non IM events had about 300 participants with about 10 people in my AG.  Support at aid stations was great, but the crows at the finish line was very small.  The extra 15-20% is worth it to have a big event.  The biggest struggle for the non-IM events is getting people to the race.  Neither of the non-IM races had pro-triathletes, but other than that I am at a loss for why these non-IM events are so sparsely attended compared to the IM events that offer the same type of race. organization. 

2019-03-29 8:32 AM
in reply to: BlueBoy26

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?
Well, I guess I stand corrected. Anyone know the story behind Legend coming back? Tinman and Ad Astra this summer. Good news, but sort of out of the blue!
2019-03-29 8:42 AM
in reply to: kuatb

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?
Last gasp effort?

I'm surprised they are trying to put the races on after last year.

Maybe they will redeem themselves... but I won't be doing either, that's for sure.
2019-03-29 9:11 AM
in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?
Were they so bad? I heard that it was a bit of a cluster in transition, were there more issues?


2019-03-29 9:26 AM
in reply to: kuatb

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?
Well... without turning it into a total trash fest...

I raced the Free State Event last year, the "100" mile course that was shortened to 80ish miles. Whatever I guess, used for training more than racing.

The volunteers left the aid stations as I was on the last loop of the run.
The signs were being taken down as I was still on the bike course.
Transition was torn down except my rack when i got done.
They re-used age group award jugs from previous year.
No finisher medals.
Can't recall if we got t-shirts, maybe?

Last year came across as if they were trying to get the races done to avoid canceling races and owing refunds.

Think grass roots event with premier event pricing, unless they revised the prices.
2019-03-29 3:32 PM
in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?
Other than that how was the play Mrs. Lincoln

Well, hopefully they can put on a better showing. I would think the area could support ONE 70.3.
2019-04-03 9:24 AM
in reply to: kuatb

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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?

Originally posted by kuatb Well, I guess I stand corrected. Anyone know the story behind Legend coming back? Tinman and Ad Astra this summer. Good news, but sort of out of the blue!

I'm not sure about Ad Astra, but from what I heard Legend had an existing agreement in place to put on Tinman.

2019-04-03 9:44 AM
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Subject: RE: 70.3 in Kansas?

Originally posted by kuatb Were they so bad? I heard that it was a bit of a cluster in transition, were there more issues?

I'll agree with what Ryan said. My impression is that they set up a few cones, put up some bike racks, blow a horn and we all show up to race. Obviously, there is much  more to it than that to make sure a race gets put on. Producing a triathlon is a big undertaking. But from a consumer viewpoint people want to attend "An Event," something that feels like a big deal. Legend races used to, sort of, feel that way, but if you don't make your consumer glad they signed up, especially the newer folks, they're not going to come back and race again.



Edited by Barkeep 2019-04-03 9:45 AM
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