Ironman Ireland 70.3 - Sept 2nd 2012

As CW suggests the swim could be anything on the day but why make it 'easy'? Its Ironman not Aluman. The only problem last year was attrocious communication of the changes (last minute abeit) and how the waves were affected incl cut offs.

I would make some other changes:

Transition could be brought back to the carpark that was used for 'staff parking' this year. It can easily accomodate the bikes with plenty of space for aisles of racking.

The run can then start from the D'Arcy roundabout go through Salthill and out to the docks and come back via the Spanish Arch, Clladdagh and along the coast path the same as last year. It would take a lot of the technical turns and double backs out of the run and possibly make it 2 loops.

The bike should stay exactly the same, but pressure on the Council to repair it properly. It is the main artery to the West, West and should be treated as such.

I can't believe people are paying silly money to do this "Ironman" when an infinitely better and cheaper race is a week or so later, i.e. Lost sheep?

Fazz wrote: »

- better location

Really? How? The fact that local knowledge suggests a 50% chance of a shortened or cancelled swim? Or is there something else?

Fazz wrote: »

- pro field attraction

Name one tier 1 or tier 2 pro from 2011 that did it, without googling (ignore the trick question aspect, tier 3 will do)

Fazz wrote: »

- branding/hype

Its all in the execution. I know UK 70.30 was a damb squib any year I did it. Out shone by Lisboa

Fazz wrote: »

- stronger entry field

Averaged out the field will be substantially weaker

Fazz wrote: »

- world 70.3 qualy slots

I do not understand the attraction of the "world" 70.30s

Fazz wrote: »

- Galway always a good weekend for most

Its pretty much Dublin but the birds have weird accents.

Fazz wrote: »

- convenience/travel time

Offset by higher accomodation costs

Fazz wrote: »

- some suckered by the "IM" status...

It all boils down to this.....

tunney wrote: »

It all boils down to this.....

Horses for courses...[/Quote]


Plus this year after my 2nd Galway 70.3 I will official be a full Ironman!
2 years in the making! ;-)

Bottom line is: my wife buys Jimmy Choos which cost €500-700 at times. She looks for bargain shoes for €50-80 also. She get great enjoyment out of both, so does her mates, they all chat about shoes. I don't really understand the hype that goes with the shoe thing but it's something she enjoys, gets to show off, talk about, look forward to, etc.

TBH who cares if ppl fork out big bucks for an event like this. A lot of ppl get great crack and harmless fun out of this event. I've made some very good friends and had loads of craic on social media forums in the run up to big races like this and others. Also picked up loads of tips, help and support.

I admit €230 is a bitter pill to swallow but the run up, excitement and also the enjoyment my family will get out of it on the weekend is worth it.

TBH I originally just entered Tri an Mhi 70.3 for €65 cos it was pure cheap but then couldn't miss out on Galway cos of the run up to it and also it running into the end if season and rounding the year off.

For those who knock on the Galway event, go organise a Boards 70.3 for half that price somewhere or even for €65 and I'll gladly enter. It can be done.

Rawhead wrote: »

mrbungle wrote: »

Horses for courses...

Plus this year after my 2nd Galway 70.3 I will official be a full Ironman!
2 years in the making! ;-)

Bottom line is: my wife buys Jimmy Choos which cost €500-700 at times. She looks for bargain shoes for €50-80 also. She get great enjoyment out of both, so does her mates, they all chat about shoes. I don't really understand the hype that goes with the shoe thing but it's something she enjoys, gets to show off, talk about, look forward to, etc.

TBH who cares if ppl fork out big bucks for an event like this. A lot of ppl get great crack and harmless fun out of this event. I've made some very good friends and had loads of craic on social media forums in the run up to big races like this and others. Also picked up loads of tips, help and support.

I admit €230 is a bitter pill to swallow but the run up, excitement and also the enjoyment my family will get out of it on the weekend is worth it.

TBH I originally just entered Tri an Mhi 70.3 for €65 cos it was pure cheap but then couldn't miss out on Galway cos of the run up to it and also it running into the end if season and rounding the year off.

For those who knock on the Galway event, go organise a Boards 70.3 for half that price somewhere or even for €65 and I'll gladly enter. It can be done.

Sweet mother of ****.[/Quote]

mrbungle wrote: »

For those who knock on the Galway event, go organise a Boards 70.3 for half that price somewhere or even for €65 and I'll gladly enter. It can be done.

+1

Ironman 70.3 Galway bashing was the same last year, bet you by the same people as well....They should really move on, and ignore this event if they have nothing constructive to say about it.

Anyway, i am really looking forward to it.

RacoonQueen wrote: »

tunney have you ever done an Ironman 70.3?

Did UK 70.30 a few times. Suited nicely with people travelling from around Europe/World to meet and race there. Plus the tough course was an attraction.

Nice course, cracking part of the country, so nice, would love to go back on a holiday.
Less than stellar organisation. I got alot of abuse from the organisers when they sent out their post race questionnaire. I answered honesty, fairly and constructively. They apparently only wanted responses like "everything was super" and got rather annoyed and aggressive over this totally private, solicited, communication of constructive criticism.

I believe they acted as advisors to Galway 70.30.

Only other international half I've done was Lisboa. Possible my best race ever, perfect mindset and execution of my race plan (4:11). The organisation was good, weather was hot, roads were good.

This year if I can get into halway decent shape I intend to head to Kenmare for that half and to give a certain oh so cocky boards DJ a tw@ting

big mce wrote: »

Sorry Guys but anyone that thinks €260 is reasonable for a half is mad. I agree it's a great location but c'mon, Tri an Mhi: €65, Lost Sheep: €85, Humbert €80.

It's way too expensive. Make it a full at that price, then it's affordable. Challenge Barcelona is €300. Imagine your 5/6 hours doing Galway. €50 an hour to kill yourself or in tunneys case €65 an hour and still not be certain about the swim?

I think you've made your point on entering races based on price and that's fine.

Others have differing reasons such as larger entry field, pro's racing, convenience, lack of travel time, buzz/many friends doing it etc etc.

Price is a factor, but most of these 70.3 with world slots are similar priced, and at least we don't have flights, luggage, excess luggage for bike, time, hassle etc and are lucky to have one on our shores in fairness.

As stated the IM branding 70.3 events do come at a premium, and some will pay for the potential benefits highlighted above, some will not as they don't apply to them and for those it is overpriced by comparison to other halfs you mentioned.
Some are happy to pay this for the experience of a big race with international pro's racing on the same course at same time etc. Some are just happy to make it a great weekend with many club mates racing also. etc.


Anyway, back to thread topic.
Here's hoping the new course is confirmed soon.
Wonder how many entries are in at this stage...

[QUOTE=Here's hoping the new course is confirmed soon.[/QUOTE]

Looks like it has as far as I can tell. Bike and Run sections are different according to the site:

http://ironmanireland.com/athlete-information/bike/
http://ironmanireland.com/athlete-information/run/

Looks to be a lot better than last year, maybe this time we have a central transition this time across from Leisureland?

Any locals know what the road surface is like on the bike course?
Is it that much different?

Fazz wrote: »

Any locals know what the road surface is like on the bike course?
Is it that much different?

Was driving out there last week and surface is ok. Will probably get a facelift the week before the race like last year.

Is going to be a good bit faster than last year which is frustrating. Won't know if any improvement is performance related or course related .

Naturally I'd claim performance related...

amphkingwest wrote: »

'The discovery of unacceptably high levels of E coli at Grattan Beach will not affect the upcoming Ironman competition, according to organisers and local councillors who have moved to allay fears over the impact of contamination of the water at the city beach.'

From the Galway Advertiser

If it doesn't happen this year in its entirety its a dead race, it probably is anyways

Around 1200, give or take a few.

I don't really understand why everyone says the price is obscene.

It's the same as every other IM 70.3 race out there.

Ironman races are more expensive again.

Granted, in general you don't mention paying more for a 70.3/IM as it's foreign and probably nicer weather etc.
However there's also flight, hotel, baggage etc costs on top.

So when considering an IM 70.3 race, this is the cheapest one you are going to do as its on home soil and requires minimal travel/hotel time & costs etc.

Granted if its just about a middle distance race then more value is in Lost Sheep, Tri an Mhi or other local irish races.
But that's not what the 70.3 race series offers. They offer pro's racing on same course, world 70.3 qualy slots, all the hullabaloo of a bigger race than a local ran one, and maybe a bit more hype.
Did I mention closed roads and hopefully better marshalling standards than some of the local races also.
In fairness last year and this year has Mike Aigroz racing. I think he was top 10 at Kona last year??

Last years entry was near 1,500 I think and yea this years looks like a 20% drop to 1,200.
Probably very low numbers for an IM 70.3 race so it would be a shame to lose it imo.
Only thing that could help it will be a full swim this year, and maybe a great race to attract more entries or perhaps better pro's for next year.

Glad I'm in for this anyway and looking forward to it and hoping for a full swim.
Course looks like it should allow for it even if choppy as runs parallel to beach now.

PWEI wrote: »

911sc wrote: »

Registration is still open for 2012.

Anybody know how long more registration is open for? I'm still thinking about entering.

Pretty sure it's closed and you've missed the boat I'm afraid.

Start lists have been sent out and the enter now feature on their site is gone.

pgibbo wrote: »

It would be worth mailing them directly to be safe if you want to try and get an entry.

I did mail them to ask when entry was closing and the response I got was

"we are advising athletes to enter ASAP to avoid disappointment"

which was not the answer I was looking for.

I've had a word on your behalf

Give Ronan an email: ronan (at) eandrevents (dot) ie and your entry will be sorted. You can pay on arrival.

amphkingwest wrote: »

Around 1200, give or take a few.

Glad to see similar uptake as last year.
Looking forward to it. Hopefully weather will be on our side.

PWEI wrote: »

I also don't have the added expense of a hotel as my sister has a house out the Barna Road.

cool. how many bedrooms?:rolleyes: