We need to give some love!

In a society where fast food giants and the like are changing peoples lives for the worse, WTC, through Ironman, is certainly promoting fit, healthy active livestyles.

They run ironman that made you keep going this awesome podcast!

Andy

They lay on excellent races for Supermen like us! Whilst I consider that they are turning off lots of their core support you can't deny that they are still leading the way until the Challenge organisation steal their crown.

Where would we all be without them? I'm not sure if Pioneers is the right word to describe them but it sounds pretty funky!

1. They gave us this great name: IRONMAN

2. They provide so much controversy, which makes Bevan happy.

3. They keep the sport in the media

4. They provide a platform for pros where stars can market themselves.

5. In the end they let Alexander Nikolopoulos (agegrouper of the week who missed Kona due to cancer) start in Kona with a wildcard.

Last but not least they offer a series of very well organized races all over the world.

I liked my 2 mdot races in Zurich. Gave the full buzz that belonged with it going long. Liked them more than Roth. However, it probably has more to do with individual race organisers, rather than the mother corporation? I wouldn't do IMUK for that very reason.

WTC do a great job in Kona, like Lars mentions they didn't do other races until recently so it will be interesting what happens now they've absorbed North American Sports.

Things WTC does well....

1) For us without a tattoo we can wear our timex watch, t-shirts, jewellery, aftershave etc.

2) They are very good at litigation and using their corporate muscle to protect their brand

3) They are fantastic at having intermitent coverage and athlete tracker facilities that never quite add up, especially on the run.

4) They're wonderful at taking your money a year in advance, keeping it in a high interest account and making even more money.

5) Probably one of the best companies at ensuring 90% of the professionals competing are living below the poverty line.

The race organisers on the otherhand, mostly put on a great event. IMUK still looks shabby compared to the USA or other European events.

They give is hype (which is needed these days to have any kind of profile), marketing, and promotion around the sport . Something the independents cannot / don't do.

They left NZ with 80 Kona slots. When introducing a new North America race there was a risk they would canabilise Kona slots from other races. Given the demand for IM in North America I would have expected them to take slots off races that are further away or might be seen as "less important". They didn't!

Good on ya guys for showing loyalty to the NZ race, and keeping a global vision for the sport.

I did find it curious that Graham Fraser kept Ironman Canada as his sole race now while he sold everything else off to WTC. Having done both Ironman Canada and Lake Placid, I would have to give the nod to Ironman Canada for the much better run event.

Not sure whether It's the WTC or John Collins who I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude. Between them they have given me a lifestyle that has made me healthier and happier. They have also indirectly brought me into contact with my training buddies who have become very close friends. Other than surfing I can't think of any other sport that offers the participant a total way of life in the manner that Ironman does.

No love. Drop WTC altogether. Support Challenge, other IM distance events + cover Hawaii. Ross (Strasbourg).

Without WTC I would not sleep near as well... thanks to my Ironman T3 Athletic Recovery Mattress. I sleep so good I can barely wake up to the alarm on my Ironman Timex watch.