How much would you pay to do a triathlon?
In June 2010, I paid $300 to race EagleMan 70.3. EagleMan is part of the Ironman brand – which I think automatically adds a few extra dollars to the entry fee. After the race I paid $200 for an ambulance ride and a hospital visit. Awesome.
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| Post 70.3 – medical tent (pre-ambulance ride/hospital visit) |
How much would you pay to do an Ironman 140.3?
If everything goes as planned, New York’s Inaugural Ironman, on August 11, 2012, will cost $1,000.00 to enter.
Yes, $1,000.
Can you believe it? Even more shocking: the typical entry for an official Ironman event averages about $575 a race. Ironman New York will cost $425 more than the average.
According to various articles, there are several reasons for the {outrageous} cost:
- World Triathlon Corp. will have to spend several million dollars on permits, law enforcement, medical personnel and other race- related expenses
- Organizers plan to lease six barges to be placed in the Hudson River to be used for the swim start
- A platform will be constructed across the river to enable swimmers to exit the water
{Personal Commentary}
The race will sell-out. There’s not a doubt in my mind. But $1,000, wow! Even with the average triathlete making $161,000/year, $1,000 is a lot of money for one race. Especially considering that the “average triathlete” does more than one triathlon per season.
(Note: The cost of things in NYC is not lost on me, but I tend to think that $1000 for a race is a bit outrageous)
For all of the high-rolling triathlete’s (I’m only calling you that because I’m jealous I don’t fall under the “average triathlete” category) thinking about doing the race:
- there are 2,500 spots
- it will sell-out quickly
- and, the race is actually more of a “New Jersey Ironman” than New York. (which I think is an extremely interesting thing to know…)
What do you think about the cost? Would you pay $1,000 to do a race? If yes (I’m not judging you, I promise), I’d love to know why.
LAST DAY to enter and win my Sport Science giveaway {}
*sources: Bloomberg.com, BusinessInsider.com, Ironman.com
WOW that is crazy. I am sorry that is a bit over my budget. But i did pay 130 to register for the Vegas half and by the time I am done flying there, making a vacation out of it etc. it will be more than a grand I am sure…
I think that's redic. I don't think I would pay it… although I'm clearly not 'hardcore', but still! It seems like an expensive race to 'contruct' maybe they should find a better location?
That is crazy… then again, I'm new to the racing world so I have no idea what anything costs but still $1000… dang.
Meanwhile, I want to hear more about your EagleMan experience now!
Wow! That's a ridiculously expensive race! I'm okay with the idea of paying a lot to race, but only for "destination events" in really cool places. NY (and esp NJ!) just isn't that exciting for me…
Holy cow $1000! I struggle to fork out $80 for a race in my general area, let alone one you have to travel to! I hope it's a heck of a race with lots of perks 🙂
Wow, that's nuts! I'm doing a 50K next month that costs 30 bucks and then I'm considering another that costs 25 bucks. I thought the Marine Corps Marathon was expensive at 90 bucks, but apparently I don't know what I could be paying to compete!
That seems soooo expensive, but when I think of how much I'm dropping on my 1/2 next weekend ($55 for the race, $230 round trip for the flight to Anchorage) I guess it's not so bad.
Just a few thoughts on the other side of the argument to consider:
A lot of people have sticker shock about it, but when you factor in all the other costs that go into an IM race, it really isn't such a bad deal. I think what WTC is banking on is that there are plenty of NYC/NJ area triathletes to fill the race. So when you consider the typical cost for traveling to other IMs and paying $300-$500 for a flight, $150 for shipping your bike each way, and 4-5 night minimums at most area hotels (which will charge more than $100/night), $1000 isn't really that much when you consider the average cost to those that live relatively close. When you add it up, you've got $600 for the race, $500 for the flight, $300 for bike travel, and another $500 for hotels, which comes out to about $2000 on just your expenses. Oh, and if you want significant others/family to come to any other further race, they will have to pay $$$ to fly, stay in a hotel, etc too. With IMNYC, they wouldn't have much extra costs, so I really don't think it is such a bad deal.
Wow–that's crazy. Stop me the next time I complain about the cost of road races! I can't imagine spending so much, but then again I'm not in the "average" earner category either (by a long shot!)
Um yeah I'm not that high rolling!!! That is a lot to do an ironman…think about it…you are paying $1000 for put your body through torture and take it to the utmost limit. You are paying to (maybe) throw up, cramp, and almost die!…..oh wait that would be me!!!
The closest I came to that was when I ran Boston. I ran as a charity runner and if I didn't get my total they were going to charge my credit card. I fundraised like a mad woman!!
Crazy! I always feel triathlons make running look cheap. Mind you, IronGirl, which is a sprint, is over $100 so, when you think about it, an Ironman is value for money!
People who did Nautica New York tri said the bike course was awful because of all the potholes. Imagine 112 miles of potholes…ouch.
BTW, that's quite a biker tan you have in that pic!
Wow! But there seems to be a lot of logistics that go into those races. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of all the costs involved.
All – thanks for your thoughtful comments! I tend to fall in the "$1,000 is too much category" but also know what "Lesser is More" is talking about. If IM NYC really is comprised of NYC/NJ athletes – than yes, the race is a "deal" if you put it in perspective to all the other costs you don't have to pay (flight, hotel, etc) But, if someone wants to race it and is not local – the race becomes totally outrageous! Even doing semi-local triathlons where I can drive is expensive. Think SavageMan in Maryland – $150 race entry, food, gas, hotel for 2-3 nights…. it really adds up. Triathlon is an expensive sport – there's no way around that!
For some one who is about to go to the hospital, you sure smiled big and took a nice picture!
Yikes, that is a crazy price tag! I don't think that I would ever pay $1,000 to enter a race.
Side note, those tan lines in that pic you are sporting there are super hot!
I heard that about the entry fee–it is insane! But you're right, it will sell out. I did IM Lake Placid the first year ('99) and only paid $300. You're paying that for Eagleman now. Until people speak up by not paying the fees, I'm sure there's no end to the increases.
uhh i wouldn't pay $1,000. i don't know if it would be different if i were an actual triathlete… but i wouldn't pay 1k for a marathon so i assume i wouldn't pay for a tri. and i don't think i'd want to swim in the hudson anyway 🙂
I just recently moved to California from North Carolina, and was blown about the $150 I paid as an entry fee for a Olympic distance tri. (The cost for my first international distance in NC was $65) I am not the average triathlete by any stretch of the imagination, and no, I would not pay $1000. That's my whole race season (gear, maintenance and, destination races, lodging and food included).
Thanks for the great info though:D.