I saw Steph Clutterbuck post what she received this year and all I can say is that I wish her all the best for the future and hope she can afford to stay in the sport
I am feeling pretty optimistic about the Ironman World Championship because it feels that the Ironman organization is finally having a conversation about the community impact of the event. To me, the sport of triathlon is all about community so I think events should be held in a way that honors and respects the host community. Remember, we are guests on the island.
I'm not, she speaks so fast, finishes the other presenters sentences and completely talks right over them. She might have a vast knowledge of the sport, but as a speaker presenter, she needs lessons.
Having raced at St George (IM May '22), Lahti, & Nice in '23, Kona & Taupo in '24, the best run event by a country mile was Taupo 70.3 World Champs a few weeks back. The men & women racing on consecutive days is the best format (IMHO). I think this counts out Kona (and I agree with Mark, that course is not that nice). The local community rejected this format in '22. I think a rotating WC is the way to go. Kona can remain as a feature event, maybe with some other qualifying criteria. Or simply as a must do event like Challenge Roth. (Which is totally awesome).
In addition, the Kona race was not particularly well managed. There was a heap of drafting on the bike course. As it gets dark so early (around 6:00pm) a large part of the run course on the highway is in darkness. The post race recovery area & refreshments were a shambles. If they want it done properly they could engage Ironman Oceania who ran Taupo 70.3 and did an outstanding job. As a side note; there were two 'VIP Only' bars near the finish that were all but empty and about half a dozen bars & cafes in the finish line are that were closed by 8:00pm. Weird. (I added this as I did not receive a post-race survey and needed to vent somewhere).
One suggestion for '25, and im sure its popped up elsewhere, is more beginner content for those of us who are just getting into the sport. T-100s and 70.3's are awesome, but dont forget about those of us who get the same amount of enjoyment from super sprints and 10K's. Also, a detailed primer on the aero bars. I swear I had to just jump in at the deep end because no one anywhere had a comprehensive video on using the aero bars! 😂
My current idea for IM worlds if it can be two days in Kona… Maybe Saturday is pro athletes only where AG rack bikes after last pro hits the run. Day one would end early so roads can open up more quickly. AG day is Sunday and with no pros it can start earlier and perhaps impose a 15 hour time limit. Or flip days and AG can cheer/volunteer for the pros. Fun to speculate. And I do like the idea of rotating like 70.3.
Wrt Kona, me and a few fellow triathletes from Chippenham Tri think that the World Champs should be rotated around the world and Kona should be opened up to all Triathletes giving everyone the opportunity to race Triathlon Mecca rather than just those that can qualify and maybe make it part of the pro series.
Ironman is in a dilemma as it relies on the age groupers for its business model. No other sport runs its prestigious world championships on this model. This holding on to Kona as part of this is complicating the decision. Everyone agrees that it needs to be a 2 day event with a men’s and women’s race day at the same venue is a must. Bite the bullet and prioritise this first so if Kona cannot host this then the decision is made.
#GTNcoachescorner I cycle commute to work mostly every Monday to Friday which is about 20min and 30m elevation gain one way. I also rock panier packs so increased weight. Can I factor this work into my training plan to replace cycling sessions?
Rotating IM WC would open the opportunity for other triathletes that are maybe slower ( not capable of qualifying) but would love to visit and race Kona (like me) to go. And would give the opportunity of other great races around the world to grow and host such a big event
So the top women made more than the top men. That is awesome, but I am guessing that the top few women took most of the money leaving less for the women behind them.
What do you think about the pay these professional athletes receive? 💰
I saw Steph Clutterbuck post what she received this year and all I can say is that I wish her all the best for the future and hope she can afford to stay in the sport
Love that Heather made sure no amount of Prosecco would be wasted! 😂
I’m glad to see the 7 hr/wk training attempt for IM. I wonder which discipline he will under train for.
I am feeling pretty optimistic about the Ironman World Championship because it feels that the Ironman organization is finally having a conversation about the community impact of the event. To me, the sport of triathlon is all about community so I think events should be held in a way that honors and respects the host community. Remember, we are guests on the island.
Happy NY guys and thanks for another great year of content
Happy new year!
So so soooo happy Heather is back🎉
I'm not, she speaks so fast, finishes the other presenters sentences and completely talks right over them. She might have a vast knowledge of the sport, but as a speaker presenter, she needs lessons.
@annelisenorth8670 🙄
2 things… Heather’s pinky finger 😂 and Mark qualifying for age groups- nice! See you at some races 🎉
Having raced at St George (IM May '22), Lahti, & Nice in '23, Kona & Taupo in '24, the best run event by a country mile was Taupo 70.3 World Champs a few weeks back. The men & women racing on consecutive days is the best format (IMHO). I think this counts out Kona (and I agree with Mark, that course is not that nice). The local community rejected this format in '22. I think a rotating WC is the way to go.
Kona can remain as a feature event, maybe with some other qualifying criteria. Or simply as a must do event like Challenge Roth. (Which is totally awesome).
In addition, the Kona race was not particularly well managed. There was a heap of drafting on the bike course. As it gets dark so early (around 6:00pm) a large part of the run course on the highway is in darkness. The post race recovery area & refreshments were a shambles. If they want it done properly they could engage Ironman Oceania who ran Taupo 70.3 and did an outstanding job.
As a side note; there were two 'VIP Only' bars near the finish that were all but empty and about half a dozen bars & cafes in the finish line are that were closed by 8:00pm. Weird.
(I added this as I did not receive a post-race survey and needed to vent somewhere).
I'm 100% in for triathlons with an OCR run!
Love continued Christmas, doesn't end until the 6th officially anyway!
One suggestion for '25, and im sure its popped up elsewhere, is more beginner content for those of us who are just getting into the sport. T-100s and 70.3's are awesome, but dont forget about those of us who get the same amount of enjoyment from super sprints and 10K's.
Also, a detailed primer on the aero bars. I swear I had to just jump in at the deep end because no one anywhere had a comprehensive video on using the aero bars! 😂
Thank you for your suggestions! We'll see what we can do. 📝
My current idea for IM worlds if it can be two days in Kona… Maybe Saturday is pro athletes only where AG rack bikes after last pro hits the run. Day one would end early so roads can open up more quickly. AG day is Sunday and with no pros it can start earlier and perhaps impose a 15 hour time limit. Or flip days and AG can cheer/volunteer for the pros. Fun to speculate. And I do like the idea of rotating like 70.3.
That’s a good idea
Xterra World Championships in Italy. Make it happen Mark. Xterra does not get the exposure it deserves. It’s the last year at this location as well.
Happy New Year GTN!!!
Yeah, great to see more the average guy doing tris.
I also would like to see more of participants of the local short course tris etc.
Wrt Kona, me and a few fellow triathletes from Chippenham Tri think that the World Champs should be rotated around the world and Kona should be opened up to all Triathletes giving everyone the opportunity to race Triathlon Mecca rather than just those that can qualify and maybe make it part of the pro series.
I just want to qualify for a World Championship.
Note: Kona is far is expensive ... kind of showstopper for a number of us.
Happy New Year's everyone
hahaha, please have a closer look at the german method! Would be curious!
I'm hoping Mark's in a couple of age groups below me if he's going for World Champs qualification 🤪
Checkout Wilderman Triathlon in North Dakota
I would say most of the one and done Iron Man participants don’t even train seven hours a week. I’m sure he’ll be fine.
The Norwegean method is def over. Id give Kate's method a try as she was mostly top 2 or 3 in both categories!👍
Look for the "French Touch" in the men's T100!?
Ironman is in a dilemma as it relies on the age groupers for its business model. No other sport runs its prestigious world championships on this model. This holding on to Kona as part of this is complicating the decision. Everyone agrees that it needs to be a 2 day event with a men’s and women’s race day at the same venue is a must. Bite the bullet and prioritise this first so if Kona cannot host this then the decision is made.
❤❤❤
#GTNcoachescorner I cycle commute to work mostly every Monday to Friday which is about 20min and 30m elevation gain one way. I also rock panier packs so increased weight. Can I factor this work into my training plan to replace cycling sessions?
Isn't transition enough of an obstacle course?? 😂
need to let mark finish his sentences lol
I don’t understand why it matters if people who do IM love Kona. If the locals don’t want us, they don’t… so we need to find alternatives…
Rotating IM WC would open the opportunity for other triathletes that are maybe slower ( not capable of qualifying) but would love to visit and race Kona (like me) to go. And would give the opportunity of other great races around the world to grow and host such a big event
So the top women made more than the top men. That is awesome, but I am guessing that the top few women took most of the money leaving less for the women behind them.
Heather why do you talk over Mark all the time!!
Ironman should stay off the island. Period.