Ironman business in Australia booming
Ironman Western Australia is sold out in an unprecedented show of popularity. With still months away until race day the field of 1400 athletes have already been sold with little chance of any more room on the course.
WTC Australia Brand Manager Trent Taylor commented "Huge international and interstate interest has been a driving force behind the 2010 sell-out. Of the 1,400 competitors registered for Ironman Western Australia, 332 international athletes will be participating with the strongest representations coming from Singapore (68 athletes), U.S.A (59 Athletes) and the United Kingdom (35 athletes). NSW and Victoria provide the strongest interstate representation, each with 235 athletes entered"
So with one of the Ironman races sold out all eyes are now heading towards Ironman Australia. And with 1000 spots only for the race in May the first race will be the one online for the athletes in order to get their place.
Taylor went on to say that "entries for Ironman Australia 2011 open this Saturday (May 1) and I would encourage anyone who wants to enter Ironman Australia 2011 to be very close to their computers at 12 Noon (midday) this Saturday to attempt to secure one of the 1,000 full distance or 1 of the 500 70.3 competitor spots available for this year's event. The sell-out of Ironman Western Australia 2010 has set a precedent and we expect that there will be a rush for spots at Ironman Australia upon opening of registrations this Saturday. We advise and encourage athletes to enter immediately upon opening of registrations in order to avoid disappointment"
It is an interesting problem for the Ironman athletes of Australia. For the first time there could be a real hole in the availability of access to racing an Ironman, something that has never been an issue before.
Reports coming out of Western Australia this week have mentioned that a new Busselton 70.3 is going to be run on the weekend of May 7. Our information is that nothing has been confirmed yet and that these dates are only rumour.
Photo Ben Wolstencroft
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Comments (4)
by Gerry, 08 May 2010The WTC has opened the 1000 spots in the 2011 Port Mac race to anyone, regardless of whether you have competed previously and regardless of whether you have even finished a Half Ironman or not...With only 1000 spots available when there were 1500 competitors last year...Please tell me how this is making it better??? Do you know how many athletes and previous Ironman missed out on registering? Well there are at least 500! I am all up for improving the sport - but I don't think this was the answer!
by Luis, 01 May 2010from an email received >>> "Update: 2pm AEST - Ironman Australia has reached 65% capacity and is set to sell out by the end of the day. Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie has reached 40% capacity." someone doen't know what the're talking about.
by Peter, 30 April 2010WTC are making the race better and you are complaining!!! The vocal minority.
by funky gibbon, 30 April 2010Do Challenge series. I have done a few and they are great races, but are you up to it? The water was 13.4 degrees at Wanaka this year, but one of the best races I have ever done. Have the courage to make a decision and commit yourself. I am thankful that WTC are putting on quality races and I will keep doing them as well.
WTC are a bunch of corporate bully boys, the sooner the Challenge series arrives in Australia the better!!!!!!