Big Question For All Ironman Participants

[benmiralia]

Here is my problem. I want to do Placid again in 2012. I am planning on volunteering this year to get into the race for next year. Between taking off from work, gas for the trip, a hotel for the week and all the other incidentals it will be a very expensive trip just to volunteer. Am I better off purchasing a community fund spot for $1000.00 or spending at least that much on the trip just to sign up for the $600.00 or so it will cost for next years entry fee. Keep in mind that the community fund fee can be used as a tax deduction.

[philjolliff]

I think it is a personal decision - depends how badly you want to volunteer or how much you value volunteering.

I think IMLP will sell out more slowly with the addition of the IMNYC and IMMT races this year (although the fact it could be the last IMLP ever might increase demand). Last year it sold out in about 20-30 minutes I believe but many of us didn't have trouble getting in online. I believe the Community Fund slot was $1200 or $1300 so you have that as the backup option. So.......if the trip to go volunteer costs more than $700 (and it will) then you are DEFINITELY better off fiscally to just try and sign up when registration opens at Noon on Monday after the race. If you don't get in, fork over the money for the charity slot.

However, I don't want to discourage you from volunteering - that can be a valuable experience itself. Depends what that is worth to you....

[jimdehner]

Ben - I just check the IMLP side the community entry fee is $1150 - as for volunteering I have gone that route for IMLP and for IM-Moo both were good experiences and you get a really great T-shirt - had the chance to see and ride/run the course - since you have done LP before that is not an issue - Like Phil said it is a personal choice - you can try to get in on-line and then if you don't make it go the community slot route -

[benmiralia]

I have already volunteered at Placid. I had the VIP volunteer shirt which got me into every VIP and transition area. I could touch the athletes as they came out of the water and watched all the finishers from the VIP booth. But having done it once I have to say the logistics of the trip were a nightmare. I am going to try the online route. If that doesn't work then I should be able to get a community fund spot.

Phil....I haven't heard anything about next years race maybe being the last there. Tell me more.

[philjolliff]

Jun 22, 2011 12:46:52 GMT -5 benmiralia said:

Phil....I haven't heard anything about next years race maybe being the last there. Tell me more.

That's just me spewing BS and hypothesizing Ben - there is no concrete truth to that. The rumors are - IMLP is only under contract 2 more years - and with the addition of IMNYC and IMMT within the northeast (all within driving distance) - the race may be on its way out - this has yet to be verified in any way, the northeastern US can probably easily support all of these IM's with the increase in demand.

[MattCollister]

Without a real hankeing to volunteer again, I'd do the community fund. One trip to the Inside Out tent, by itself, would probably set me back $250.

Phil, you rumor-monger, you! I just can't see the addition of Ironman Wall Street or the race in Quebec doing anything to blunt demand for the Lake Placid race.

[Eric]

Matt, I like your renaming of IMNYC....IM Wall Street.

[MattCollister]

I think I picked that up somewhere.

If you google the (real) race, the top-ranked news stories, other than those at ironman.com, are published by Bloomberg news. Telling.