Ironman Event

KittyeeTrix

Anybody here signed up for the Ironman Event??

My husband and son are involved tomorrow with safety during the swim.

Best wishes to any of ye who are to be competing.

WesternNight

Jaysus I couldn't put myself through even one part of Ironman!

I hope it goes really well though, it's a massive event.

Diabhal Beag

Broke my ankle during the week so thankfully I'm not

hairyfairy00

fluffyorganic1 wrote: »

Anybody here signed up for the Ironman Event??

My husband and son are involved tomorrow with safety during the swim.

Best wishes to any of ye who are to be competing.

Our neighbours in number 12 are taking part!

Mars Bar

My friends relation from the US has come over to do it.

KittyeeTrix

mars bar wrote: »

My friends relation from the US has come over to do it.

That's a long way to come for a competition..... I have to admit I haven't done much reading on it so don't know an awful lot about it as an event.
I must get googling:D

restingpilgrim

Went out for the start. Swim reduced to just! 750m and even then some of the second groups of swimmers were struggling. Went down to watch the transition to bikes and after a while the rescue helicopter showed up to keep an eye on things. With the winds and weather I say some will struggle to finish in the time allocated. Looking at the conditions it was mad that anybody who wanted too could enter.

Start was put back 15 minutes as well

snubbleste

All that hype!
And they've reduced the swim time..

I feel bad for the volunteers this morning, standing around at road junctions through east conamara and the town in the pouring rain. There'll be a run on cold medicine this week.

kao123

Was watching them come through Barna this morning from 8 onwards, at around 9:30 we heard that the lead cyclist was coming through Moycullen..... Fantastic stuff !

restingpilgrim

Leader came back through end of St Marys road at around 2 hours 25 minutes would have thought the transition to the run at around 2 and a half hours.

No updates on the Ironman website either

Would have thought winning time will be around 3 hours 35 minutes.

As they started at 7 15 this means should be near finish now

Storm 10

Did not make it out to Salthill this morning was there many people looking on at the swim etc, there does not seem to be many around for the event. In Salthill yesterday it was quite enough.

restingpilgrim

I was out there at around 6 30 and for the start. Most of the people out there were competitors and their supporters, few locals around as well but not many considering the crowds they were predicting. The food wagon had six people working, and nobody buying anything although it was always unlikely someone was going to order a breakfast roll before starting the triathlon.

xflyer

Wandered down for a look and got washed out of it. So like most locals I beat a retreat to my house. The five minute walk in the rain was my Ironman moment for the day.

KittyeeTrix

It's a pity the weather is so crappy for it:(
Really diminishes the amount of people who may have ambled out for a nosey had the weather been fine!

restingpilgrim

See from the facebook page they still are not releasing results "due to copyright". People trying to track competitors unable to do so. Considering the expense involved in this and the fact that it is supposed to show Galway in a positive light for tourism purposes I do not think this is very good.

With all of the bike thefts that go on suppose the organisers did a good job in stopping any bikes getting nicked from the compound, reckon at least 5 million of bikes and equipment there.

KittyeeTrix

Mike Airgoz has won the event as reported by the Galway Advertiser FB page...

janina

Not a mention of the event on RTE sports news.... shameful!! Maybe they will notice it by this evening. :rolleyes:

restingpilgrim

Probably relying on the Ironman website to do their updates, despite the size of the event does not look like they have sent anyone to cover it.

snubbleste

Locals not enthusiastic enough!
The amount of hype for this event, (3 million people are watching it in Australia apparently) was unreal in the local media, it has turned into a completely moist squib.

restingpilgrim

Saw the advertiser following the line that millions will be spent in the city during Ironman. From the business people I know and from being in Salthill today I would say that the shops were quieter than normal as a lot of them were on roads that had been closed down. As most of the competitors would have been early to bed on Saturday I doubt if many euro would have been spent apart from on hotel rooms.

ronnie3585

If the sun was shining this morning, it would have been a completely different event.

Pity.

restingpilgrim

Have too disagree. I thought the layout gave no thought to how people were supposed to spectate at the event. It was very hard to move down and see transition and this was even with very few people around.My friend got told off crossing the course even though there was no other way back into his appartments.Saw the Mayors car parked on the closed road behind the start and even she was stuck behind spectators trying to get a view.

Chicken1

This event has never attracted all the people the event organisers were saying, on last Tuesdays Sentinel they were saying 60 thousand people would watch it, they are lucky if 600 people turned out, I searched Channel 4 and Setanta sports and it will not even bring the event up in a search, so who is broadcasting this around the World, its turned out to be a non event, all it has done was cause total traffic disruption. I was in a taxi last night to Salthill and the driver told me that it was just like a normal night out there and in town. Did anyone see any TV cameras following this./

Malice

On a slightly unrelated note I have to say well done to whoever organised the music for the setup across the road from Leisureland. I went for a walk there yesterday evening with the dog and was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with Jane's Addiction, Foo Fighters and Metallica blasting out of the speakers.

buzz11

buzz11

Head The Wall

restingpilgrim wrote: »

Have too disagree. I thought the layout gave no thought to how people were supposed to spectate at the event. It was very hard to move down and see transition and this was even with very few people around.My friend got told off crossing the course even though there was no other way back into his appartments.Saw the Mayors car parked on the closed road behind the start and even she was stuck behind spectators trying to get a view.

Spectators although important are not the primary consideration, the flow and space needed to rack 2000 bikes is very important as each competitor has to have an equal distance through transition to level out the competition. Minimising traffic and resident disruption also have to be taken into consideration, so all in all it's going to be difficult to get a location or setup anywhere that is perfect.

Chicken1 wrote: »

This event has never attracted all the people the event organisers were saying, on last Tuesdays Sentinel they were saying 60 thousand people would watch it, they are lucky if 600 people turned out, I searched Channel 4 and Setanta sports and it will not even bring the event up in a search, so who is broadcasting this around the World, its turned out to be a non event, all it has done was cause total traffic disruption. I was in a taxi last night to Salthill and the driver told me that it was just like a normal night out there and in town. Did anyone see any TV cameras following this./

These type of events are never broadcast live due to the nature of them, there will be a lot of editing involved and it'll be a few weeks before it's broadcast. It will also be broadcast by Eurosport and ESPN

I'm confused, did you expect all the competitors to be out on the piss in Salthill last night? It was an early start for all the competitors, volunteers and supporters this morning. I have been in and around Galway the last 3 days and didn't have any problems getting around at all, I was able to park in Salthill this morning, drive out of there to watch the bike sections in 3 different places and get back into Salthill for the run section.

restingpilgrim

I understand that the competitors are the prime concern in an event such as this, however so much was made in the run up to this event about how much income was going to be generated for Galway by hosting this event and it just was not the case. All of the areas that people would have been used to walking on a nice day were closed up to allow the race to take place and no consideration was taken as too allow the public alongside to watch and support the athletes.

The swimming was an obvious thing to put up some sort of raised viewing areas to allow people to get a view. The photos above are when the green hatted people went into the water and most of the people in the background were competitors and their supporters waiting for their turn to start.
l

Chicken1

Head The Wall wrote: »

I'm confused, did you expect all the competitors to be out on the piss in Salthill last night? It was an early start for all the competitors, volunteers and supporters this morning. I have been in and around Galway the last 3 days and didn't have any problems getting around at all, I was able to park in Salthill this morning, drive out of there to watch the bike sections in 3 different places and get back into Salthill for the run section.

Well your last comment says it all, no one around, I am only going by what the press said about this event, that it would bring to Galway and Salthill loads of visitors and a figure of 6 million was mentioned in spending. I was in Salthill today in the park and the guys who had the stalls selling stuff must have lost a packet.

Sponge Bob

Chicken1 wrote: »

Well your last comment says it all, no one around, I am only going by what the press said about this event, that it would bring to Galway and Salthill loads of visitors and a figure of 6 million was mentioned in spendin

Standard event management hype, they hire a few local PR bunnies to work the local media and as usual the media copy and pastes the PR hype.

Don't ever assume that a brain got in between the Press Release and the printed page.

Head The Wall

Chicken1 wrote: »

Well your last comment says it all, no one around, I am only going by what the press said about this event, that it would bring to Galway and Salthill loads of visitors and a figure of 6 million was mentioned in spending. I was in Salthill today in the park and the guys who had the stalls selling stuff must have lost a packet.

Regarding the expo stalls, they were open all weekend not just today and they were very crowded when I was there yesterday. They are geared more so at the competitors who were obviously racing today. Unless you know for certain they lost money stop spouting crap.


It's you that seems to have the completely wrong expectations of the event, but hey don't let reality get in the way of your imagination.

Chicken1

Head The Wall wrote: »

Regarding the expo stalls, they were open all weekend not just today and they were very crowded when I was there yesterday. They are geared more so at the competitors who were obviously racing today. Unless you know for certain they lost money stop spouting crap.


It's you that seems to have the completely wrong expectations of the event, but hey don't let reality get in the way of your imagination.

Jez will you came down I am only saying what was said in the papers what the event would bring to the City, can you seriously tell me that it brought in what was promised. Dont get me wrong I would never knock any event but it did not deliver in punters which is what was required and looking at the stalls there today is proof of that.

restingpilgrim

The expectations of the event were lead by the crap press releases and people trying to justify spending millions on an event that was only any good for the competitors not for the general population of Galway who had nothing but closures thrust upon them. If they had said this was a big event for competitors and go and support those who were attempting the feat then it may have got a better reception. Also this is advertised as an Ironman event and was in fact not even a half Ironman due to the cutting of the swim to less than half distance, due to weather which is unlikley to be much different in future years. It still took a lot of completing so congratulations to all who finished.

Hear that a five year contract is in place so we will have all of this for a few more years no matter whether we want it or not.

As for your comment on businesses losing money not being backed up, one only has to read the local press and one hotel stating in was costing them over 20k in lost earnings due to all of the closures and coach partys cancelling their bookings

Aiel

Contrary to media moaning,i mean "reports",today was a great day with a brilliant atmosphere around Salthill and out on the course,especially around the finish.The competitors all said it was well organised and well supported,the positivity of the occasion was in stark contrast to people who would moan about anything and everything.Also,by 3pm the main stall selling the offical merchandise was sold out of alot of stock and nearly sold out of alot of other items.

restingpilgrim

All you do is back up the competitor and supporters as you state you were there to support a friend, Will you be back to watch if you have no one to support next year.

Head The Wall

Chicken1 wrote: »

Jez will you came down I am only saying what was said in the papers what the event would bring to the City, can you seriously tell me that it brought in what was promised. Dont get me wrong I would never knock any event but it did not deliver in punters which is what was required and looking at the stalls there today is proof of that.

1900 competitors and supporters, family's etc. many of whom were staying here in accommodation and feeding themselves for the weekend. Maybe they paid for these services with thank you's and kisses.

You're basically stating that you who have "read the papers" and the event was of no benefit to Galway because the stalls seemed quiet today. Mad assumption

restingpilgrim wrote: »

The expectations of the event were lead by the crap press releases and people trying to justify spending millions on an event that was only any good for the competitors not for the general population of Galway who had nothing but closures thrust upon them. If they had said this was a big event for competitors and go and support those who were attempting the feat then it may have got a better reception. Also this is advertised as an Ironman event and was in fact not even a half Ironman due to the cutting of the swim to less than half distance, due to weather which is unlikley to be much different in future years. It still took a lot of completing so congratulations to all who finished.

Hear that a five year contract is in place so we will have all of this for a few more years no matter whether we want it or not.

As for your comment on businesses losing money not being backed up, one only has to read the local press and one hotel stating in was costing them over 20k in lost earnings due to all of the closures and coach partys cancelling their bookings

It was advertised as an Ironman 70.3 event which is what it was and some of these events have had the whole swim cancelled due to weather conditions, Mother Nature doesn't always play ball. This sh1t happens

Who are these people that spent millions on the event?

Do you really think that hotel brings in 20,000 every weekend, come on it's 80 a night for 2 people B & B and they have 62 bedrooms. Don't believe whats in the papers

Aerohead

I was out in Salthill today and to be honest it was very quite there, the biggest crowd were the people taking part

dloob

With all the planned road closures I left the city for the weekend.

finlma

dloob wrote: »

With all the planned road closures I left the city for the weekend.

Great input to the thread. :rolleyes: Who cares what you did for the weekend?

Great event, pity about the weather. There were great crowds in Salthill.

ErnieBert

Amazing story
http://ironman.com/columns/ironmanlife/kevin-mackinnon-profiles-one-of-the-athletes-set-to-compete-at-ironman-70.3-ireland#axzz1X1SkFzLE

doubleglaze

As regards the contribution to the local economy:

One of the Ironmen stayed in my house last night, so no benefit to the local economy. However, I'm pleased to report he is staying another night (again no hotel room purchased) and is currently out on the tear to celebrate his achievement (thus contributing to some local hostelry).

Perhaps tonight is the night when the bucks will be made in Galway.

scholar007

restingpilgrim wrote: »

Saw the advertiser following the line that millions will be spent in the city during Ironman. From the business people I know and from being in Salthill today I would say that the shops were quieter than normal as a lot of them were on roads that had been closed down. As most of the competitors would have been early to bed on Saturday I doubt if many euro would have been spent apart from on hotel rooms.

Who do I send my fuel bill to for the ridiculous diversions? I really felt sorry for AGS members who had to send people around the houses to get to their destination. In actual fact, I've never seen the town emptier. People just stayed away from what I could see. Perhaps those businesses who benefited in any way would let us know. I hope the Connemara Gateway hotel is going to be compensated for the €20k loss of trade.

Head The Wall

Yes keep ignoring the facts and have a good moan for yourself.

JohnCleary

ErnieBert wrote: »

Amazing story
http://ironman.com/columns/ironmanlife/kevin-mackinnon-profiles-one-of-the-athletes-set-to-compete-at-ironman-70.3-ireland#axzz1X1SkFzLE

I've decided to ignore all the other bullsh1t in this thread, but that story really touches the heart (no pun intended there) - Well done that man, a person who is grateful to be alive

celty

The organisers should be grateful we currently have a crap senior hurling team. Were Galway in the All-Ireland final on Sunday, there would have been absolute mayhem for people on the West side of the city and in Connemara trying to get to Dublin.

Will people put up with this for each of the next four years?

I'm also dubious about the claims of the benefits IronMan supposedly brought to Galway's economy, even if it seems to have been well organised.

xflyer

No doubt it was well organised. Big doubt as to the supposed huge benefit to the local economy. It's not really a spectator event either. The most interesting part would have been the swimming but that was at the crack of dawn when only the most dedicated would be out.

My main impression was of it being a bit of nuisance for most locals. The road is still closed today thus causing traffic tailbacks. Which didn't help me to find a place for it in my heart.

But I don't want to knock it. Events like this are good for Galway. But bring back the airshow. Now that was a spectator event! (and a nuisance).

dloob

finlma wrote: »

Great input to the thread. :rolleyes: Who cares what you did for the weekend?

Great event, pity about the weather. There were great crowds in Salthill.

I guess you care enough to comment, thanks for the feedback.

I'm sure I wasn't the only one who stayed away because of the road closures.
I wonder if the Ironman business will make up for the loss of regular business.
If it didn't cause so much disruption on the roads it would be easier to ignore for those uninterested in it.

beeintheknow

Aiel wrote: »

Contrary to media moaning,i mean "reports",today was a great day with a brilliant atmosphere around Salthill and out on the course,especially around the finish.The competitors all said it was well organised and well supported,the positivity of the occasion was in stark contrast to people who would moan about anything and everything.Also,by 3pm the main stall selling the offical merchandise was sold out of alot of stock and nearly sold out of alot of other items.

Have you lost your mind? Can you see or are you blind?

HardyEustace

I can't see why the same arguments(no contribution to local economy, block up the streets, difficult to get around) can't apply to the people that come down to race week, particularly on the Thursday night.

The only businesses that seem to benefit are pubs and nightclubs, and even then, there's plenty that come down, buy off licence and just make a general nusiance of themselves around the spanish arch/town.

Because this was an event that wasn't based on getting blind drunk, I think that money that did come into the local economy would be distributed far more to different shops, cafes, restaurants and retail. Not just off-licences and pubs.

beeintheknow

HardyEustace wrote: »

I can't see why the same arguments(no contribution to local economy, block up the streets, difficult to get around) can't apply to the people that come down to race week, particularly on the Thursday night.

The only businesses that seem to benefit are pubs and nightclubs, and even then, there's plenty that come down, buy off licence and just make a general nusiance of themselves around the spanish arch/town.

Because this was an event that wasn't based on getting blind drunk, I think that money that did come into the local economy would be distributed far more to different shops, cafes, restaurants and retail. Not just off-licences and pubs.

Surely you understand that off licenses and pubs are not the only ones to benefit from money being spent in them?

Predalien

Although the crowds weren't great (it's not really much of a spectator sport) I'm happy to see Galway hosting more family friendly events, even if there wasn't a spectacular boost to the local economy it makes Galway more attractive for other events if we can show they can be executed successfully here.