Monday, August 27, 2012

Ironman Canada vs Challenge Penticton

I am a huge fan of Ironman Canada and consider it the best race I have ever participated in.  However, next years event is swirling in controversy, as WTC has lost the event to the Challenge group (run Challenge Roth and other races over seas).  You can read about it here, here, and here.

It appears WTC will host an Ironman Canada event at a similar time of year, but it won't be in Penticton for the first time in 30 years.  Both of these races will likely be pretty awesome, so here is my pro and con list for doing each:

Ironman Canada

Pros:

  • WTC always puts on a good show
  • an all new location and event, this could be your chance to become part of history
  • they are offering an opportunity to get on a priority registration list, so you can guarantee yourself a spot while still not committing until important details are know, like venue
  • could be somewhere awesome like Whistler
  • Ironman Canada will always be a legendary race to be a part of
  • they are doubling the Kona slots (note: doesn't affect me in any way)
Cons:
  • location of this race is unknown!
  • feels rushed, there is lots of time to organize this race but still...

Challenge Penticton

Pros:

  • Challenge Roth sounds and looks awesome, maybe challenge can make Ironman Canada even better???
  • they are offering a relay option, that might be a fun way to participate without the same training requirement
  • same great course, same great host city, presumably same great excitement?
  • apparently the refund policy is quite a bit more lenient
Cons:
  • its just not Ironman (some will say)
  • first year of a new event is always risky, could it be a flop???
Summary

Normally, you would have had to already have decided and committed to racing Ironman Canada by now.  This year you have not one, but two opportunities still available (IMC, CP).  While both races face the risk of flopping, personally I think both will be successful, even if they take much longer to sell out.  From my perspective, you can't lose no matter which way you go, and if both become sold out monster races triathlon in Canada can only be helped.

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