Ironman Kansas 70.3?

It's a crop circle thing.

Seriously, NAS / WTC you name the race organization have done a horrific job of communicating future plans, and releasing them with one face to the public. Rumors surface, partners react (active), things aren't coordinated. The director of marketing should be fired. But I hope you're right, the heartland could use a fast, flat, draft-laden IM.  

If I hear this correctly, I believe these new races are going WTC and not NAS events ... and an effort will be made to bring the Ironman brand back in house - or it is limited to the 70.3 and therefore will not full distance races? Should the former be the case, it'll be interesting to see what NAS does ... try to start a new series with the same distances but with a different brand?

All of that said, WTC is not exactly rolling with a stellar PR campaign - or even a plan for that matter. 

One thing that will happen from adding all these new 70.3's (New Orleans, Kansas) should make Clearmont a little tougher to get into, thus making the race a little more pretigious

I wonder if this is there plan. Keep adding races to thin the slots down.

Funny.  IMFL has had a bunch of negative press recently regarding their last race and the amount of drafting/pack riding.

I think Lawrence is hillier than FL. 

Coincidence.

I posted this thread the same day they made the announcement.
Read below.....

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Official Press Release
Author: Tom Ziebart    November 13, 2007

Ironman 70.3 Kansas - Official Press Release announces the 2008 race.

Ironman 70.3 Adds Kansas to Its Family of Events
New Ironman 70.3 event scheduled for June 15, 2008, registration opens November 14, 2007

Ironman 70.3 Kansas is the latest addition to the Ironman 70.3 series. Taking place on June 15, 2008, the inaugural event will consist of a 70.3 mile journey that includes a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run.


The new Ironman 70.3 Kansas Triathlon will take place in Lawrence, Kansas just west of Kansas City. Ironman 70.3 Kansas will serve as one of 28 worldwide qualifying events for next year's Ironman World Championship 70.3.

“I welcome the Ironman competition to the state of Kansas,” said Governor Kathleen Sebelius. “As athletes from around the world gather in Lawrence to demonstrate their extreme endurance they will experience firsthand the beautiful terrain of Kansas.”


The swim will be held in Clinton Lake. Water temperatures are expected to be 74-77 F. Following the swim, athletes will ride 56 miles through the rolling terrain of southwest Douglas County. The bike course covers a challenging course known to local cyclists as the “Iron-Cross.” The “Iron-Cross” consists of the intersecting county roads of 1023 and 458. The bike course will offer long, winding, flat stretches matched with steep, challenging hills.

"As the host city for Ironman 70.3 Kansas, Lawrence is pleased to welcome these world-class athletes and their supports," said Lawrence Mayor Sue Hack. “It is a tremendous opportunity for us to show the world what Lawrence, Kansas has to offer.”



“I look forward to working on another great Ironman 70.3 race,” said Tom Ziebart, the Race Director of the new Ironman 70.3 Kansas Triathlon. “This new race site in Lawrence is on par with Ironman 70.3 Florida and the Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 in Michigan. It is a very family friendly venue that will allow mid-west athletes another chance to qualify for the Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Florida.” Co-Race Director Ryan Robinson added, “I think that visiting athletes will be pleasantly surprised with what they discover in Lawrence, Kansas. Athletes will find a beautiful and challenging course while spectators will find a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.”

Ironman 70.3 Kansas will also serve as the Ironman 70.3 Collegiate Championships and will invite University and College Triathlon Teams to compete for both individual and team awards.

Athlete Check-in and the Expo will take place in downtown Lawrence, Kansas. There will be a professional prize purse of $25,000 and 50 qualifying slots for pro and age group athletes to the 2008 Ironman World Championship 70.3 taking place on November 8, 2008, in Clearwater, Fla.

Registration for Ironman 70.3 Kansas will open on November 14, 2007 via the Ironman 70.3 Kansas official Web site, www.ironmankansas.com.

Lawrence, Kansas is home of The University of Kansas and has hosted several national events recently such as the 2005-2007 National Collegiate Road Cycling Championships and the 2007 National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships.

I guess KS isn't so flat........
Read below.....

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The swim will be held in Clinton Lake. Water temperatures are expected to be 74-77 F. Following the swim, athletes will ride 56 miles through the rolling terrain of southwest Douglas County. The bike course covers a challenging course known to local cyclists as the “Iron-Cross.” The “Iron-Cross” consists of the intersecting county roads of 1023 and 458. The bike course will offer long, winding, flat stretches matched with steep, challenging hills.

Eastern Kansas is anything but flat. Should be a good bike course. And Lawrence is a pretty cool town, too. Hard for me to admit since I went to school in Manhattan, though.