friday sept 19 2008

Kona says "Bring it on!"

The 2009 season officially just began. I just registered for Oceanside 70.3 or whatever its called. The Ford Ironman California 70.3? The Oceanside 70.3? Maybe the Cali half? Or Cali 70.3? or how about the old name…Ralph’s Half Ironman?

Anyway, you know which race I mean.

The damage to the Flores family nest egg? 285 big ones. Last year it was roughly $230 (I can’t seem to dig up my old registration confirmation email so you’ll have to take my word on that). An increase of over 20%! Race entry fees are seriously getting out of hand…and it boggles my mind that there is no lack of demand whatsoever. The race is nearly full already. Last year it sold out in December and the year before in January. I’m all for the growth of the sport, but its rapidly approaching the mark where many folks are simply priced out of the event. And that’s a shame.

I certainly think that there is demand of another half-ironman distance race here in Southern California, M-Dot or otherwise. Outside of Wildflower, which is a long way to drive for many in SoCal, there are no other HIM distance events in the area. Pretty remarkable considering that this is one of, if not the, greatest concentration of amateur triathletes in the world.

Regardless, I’m entered for another go-round and am looking forward to redeeming myself after a lackluster performance in 2008.

~ by JP on September 19, 2008.