Triathlon popularity still growing?
62
Member
311 days
vistring posted 4 weeks ago.
I still do sprints, because of time constraints and injuries. And they seem to almost sell out up to 95% full.
4402
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1624 days
beads1985 posted 4 weeks ago.
It does seem like it it still growing. There are several races I do every year and they are getting larger or selling out quicker every year.
''Nothing to it, but to do it''
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17
Member
49 days
248-n8 posted 4 weeks ago.
I think it is growing and will continue to grow. Since I started training for them just over a year ago I've started to hear a lot more people say they are going to try them. But I will also say my race plan for this year has been cut back based on not wanting to spend the extra $150 a month on races. But for me it is going to be more about the training and getting a couple of good smaller races in a year.
73
Member
223 days
diluzio123 posted 4 weeks ago.
I'm also new to the sport, so I can't say about how much it's grown. I have noticed that the participation level has been high at all the events I've done. I think where most people will back off is traveling to some of the smaller races.
I know that a couple of the races that I have to go out of town for will not be on my schedule next year. As of now all my races are within race day driving distance from my house.
"To some extent, we are all labeled by what we're able to achieve. But more importantly, we are defined by what we attempt." --Scott Tinley
http://ddtriathlon.blogspot.com/
849
Member
245 days
TriSooner posted 4 weeks ago.
Totally anecdotal, but when I trained for my first IM in '04, I didn't know anyone (in a metro area of 6million) who was going to my race. Now it seems there are several local tri teams taking a dozen or so to every IM NA event. I wish it wasn't as popular. I used to be able to sign up for a race a few days before the event. Now, if it is a popular race - and not just IM NA events - you have to sign up the day registration opens.
2687
Member
1265 days
Anton posted 4 weeks ago.
I hate trickle down economics, but I think the economic situation will take time to hit triathlon...but it will.
Having been around all kinds of events and sports for years, I'll show the age card, and say all things are cyclic. Popular now, not so much later. We're in the THIRD running boom since I started. When I started Multisport, Du's were HUGE! Now...nope. Climbing has been through several cycles since I started in 1969 and is now on a down slope. Backpacking too. Ultras are more popular, but that's usually short lived as they are just too hard to sustain much growth.
Patience grasshopper...all things fade in time.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
714
Member
781 days
tsilcyc posted 4 weeks ago.
Ironman seems impervious but that might be because the average income of an Ironman athlete is $160K+ per year.
I did notice a less than normal turn out at the local sprint this weekend. This race seems to grow bigger and bigger each year and yet this year not so many.
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77
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259 days
swimmer52 posted 4 weeks ago.
With the Xterra series I hear the popular Points Series are still going strong, but the Regional races, where people have to travel a lot, are starting to hurt lately. I believe this is the impact of the economy, you don't NEED to race, so when a budget is tight the extra fun things are the first to go.
"Whether you think you can or can't, you're right"
133
Member
111 days
azmojo804 posted 4 weeks ago.
the sprint I did 1.5 weeks ago had just over 100 people last year (2007) and this year it had over 200 people. So, that one grew. I think most sprints and other distances are growing too.
I think the thing that has changed, is that 10 years ago, the 100 people in the race were better conditioned, and thus faster? Now, the races grow to 5x the size in 10 years, there's a lot of people that are just doing it, for personal reasons, not as a competition. I have no problem with that, but I see a ton of people that cannot do 1 or 2 of the disciplines well at all. And, that's great that they're getting off their butts and doing it, but I think that leads to a huge rise in attendance.
27
Member
139 days
tholosophy posted 4 weeks ago.
Yea, you know I didn't think Triathlons were discretionary.
79
Member
99 days
cutiger95 posted 4 weeks ago.
Discretionary and more elitist than running. How many people in a given office can say they have competed in completed or even trained for a Triathlon. How many in that same office can say they have run a 5k road race.
Personally I am doing my first because I want to conquer the swim and say that I did it. I was jealous as heck as my wife has completed multiple sprint distances and all I have ever been able to do is tote water. Now with a little swim coaching some dropped poundage I am getting to the point where I can do it. Tri's take more effort and planning than running.
As of 2 years ago, Triathlon was growing pretty fast and small races got crowded despite rising entry fees.
Is the sport still growing today? I'd imagine that with the economy/energy issues making discretionary spending more difficult, the sport might be a little pricey for some to take up...
I know Ironman races sell out fast but what about the amount of newbies that start up in local sprints?