Half Iron Differences

Some iron distance races (half and full) are put on by Ironman Corporation and some are not--put on by other organizations. Challenge for example has a pretty extensive series of full and half IM events, mostly in Europe and Asia, and its own world championships. Toughman is another group that puts on some HIM in the US. Some races are put on by local clubs, etc. It's still HIM if you complete the distances, whether or not it's sponsored by Ironman Corp (which is actually owned now by Wanda, a Chinese holding company).

The Ironman Corp. races do tend to have a bit better assurance of basic quality and consistency, but this isn't absolute. Often most of the logistics are handled by local events groups, esp. outside the US, and quality varies. First year races can also be a bit dodgy. I've done several races put on independently; they ranged from outstanding--as good or better than the IM Corp. ones, to comically deficient.

Thank you!

Also, IRONMAN is a trade marked name, so if the race does not have IRONMAN listed in the title, it's not a branded race.
Distance might be the same, but not put on by IRONMAN.
Also, some races will call it full iron, full distance, half iron, etc to get away from the trademark issue.

Biggest difference I’ve found is the price! IRONMAN branded events demand a premium.

I’m doing a non branded half distance triathlon in May that came out to $200 bucks with insurance and fees.

IRONMAN Augusta 70.3 I’m doing in September...$420.

Non-IM brand races tend to be smaller with less hype and more community feel. Since you're out west, one that I can really recommend is Chelanman in eastern Washington State in July, in Chelan, near Wenatchee, probably a long day's drive or shorter two days for you. Or an easy drive half-day drive from Seattle or Spokane airport. Challenging bike course and overall not a fast course, but really a class act--beautiful swim in crystal-clear water, bike course on bluffs above the Columbia, through the forest, and along the lake shore, run is rolling and follows the shores of Lake Chelan. It was my first HIM and have never regretted it; hope to make it back someday. I would certainly choose it over a big IM brand event like Couer de' Alene.

As for IM brand events in your neck of the woods (kinda sorta--our woods are big out here!), Calgary (August 11?) is very nice. Smaller race with local organizers and more of a community feel than many IM branded events. It's a very fast course with an "easy" (except for wind) bike route. Family friendly with start, finish and transition in a big park in a quiet gated community.

Great info, thanks!