Race Previews

ED. You may have already seen this. If not, please read. It's important stuff. The MTN Guys applaud Bill Corcoran for seeing and addressing the Big Picture issues affecting multisports in our state.

 

Dear Multi-Sport Enthusiast and Race Directors, 

 

 

After my first email, when I tried to keep it short and to the point, I heard back from a few of you.  If we are hoping to begin a wider effort of rejuvenating the sport of triathlon however, we will need more than a few of us to jump on board.

 

When I started as a triathlon Race Director here in MN over 15 years ago, there was a really awesome prevailing attitude of cooperation and collaboration amongst most races and Race Directors in the Midwest, and certainly here in MN.  RD's were supportive of other races, local sponsorships were affordable and supportive, and local bike and run shops were excited to be involved.  Although this was not the only reason that we had such success in the sport in the late 90's and early 2000's, many agree that it had a great deal to do with it....

 

As it had been for years, triathlon began because small towns all over the state hosted races that helped to generate hundreds of new triathletes per year.  Most races filled or got close to it, and demand continued to grow steadily.  Around 2010 or so, the number of races in the state nearly doubled in just a few years, with new races popping up all over the place.  Around the same time, the themed running craze exploded which gave runners, of which a percentage historically made the jump to try triathlon, opportunity to search for adventure and purpose at other less intimidating venues.  This created a situation where, in the matter of a few years, we had too many races and not enough athletes to go around.  Added to that has been the growing trend of people doing Ironman distance races, which has typically taken them out of the pool of short/Olympic distance races during their peak training months.  Of course there are other factors as well, but these seem to be the ones that stand out the most.

 

In more recent years, many races have become more proprietary and corporate in nature. Things like sponsorship exclusivity and a prevailing attitude of survival of the fittest amongst races has taken an unforeseen toll.  The spirit of collaboration and cooperation amongst RD's and other races is somewhat of a distant memory, which seems to have the greatest impact on the small local races that are outside of the larger metro areas.  Races of all sizes have been seeing decreases as much 50% of the participants that they had only a handful of years ago, and some are considering cancelling the events altogether.  

 

Although I agree that there is a balance to be found in regards to the percentage of races to athletes in any state, and that some attrition is inevitable, I believe we need to find a way to support small town triathlons as the "Newby" generators that they are, no matter where they are. I fear that if we lose too many of the really good small town races out there, where will the next generation of triathletes come from?  Of course races of any size can and do create new triathletes each year as well, but not enough by themselves to grow the sport.

 

In the coming months I am going to be reaching out a few times to invite you to be a part of something that will benefit your race as well as the sport of triathlon as a whole.  In an effort to increase the number of athletes in the sport and encourage a more collaborative culture, we want to give race directors and local bike and run shop owners the opportunity to showcase and promote their event for FREE.

 

Please accept this invitation to the 2017 Buffalo Triathlon/ MN Triathlon Expo.  The expo will provide you a free opportunity to give information and discounts to the nearly 2000 participants and spectators in attendance.  This offer will include Free tent space and one free entry to the race to whomever you would like to send to promote your event and man your tent.  The only thing we will ask is that you share the event with your friends and participants that you will be there, and invite them to come out and enjoy the event as well! 

 

The expo will take place on Sunday, June 4th before, during, and after the race.  RDs and vendors will also be able to come to the Tuesday night clinic and open water swim at the park if they would like.  

 

If you would like more information on this FREE opportunity to promote your event, business, or product at one of Minnesota’s largest triathlons and at the very beginning of the season, email or call me and I will be happy to give you all the info you need to get involved.  I'd also love to hear about any other ideas any of you might have on how we can work together to grow this sport we all love.

 

Expo Registration - Link: http://www.tempotickets.com/event/UmMnHl.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Bill Corcoran

Race Director, CEO

Graniteman Events

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320-493-2658