Should Aquabike hold the same place?

So the Nameless one is putt off by an athlete, who enters a race, competes fairly against like athletes and is rewarded with a trinket or two. Seriously? Most of the smaller races need multiple events to draw enough participants in order to make it financially viable. When I toe the line in a Triathlon, I'm not concerned about anyone competing in an Aqua Bike race, Duathlon, Tri-a-tri etc., just as I'm sure they're not concerned about me. And when it's time for the award ceremonies, I'm just as happy for those who did well in other events as I am for those who placed in the Triathlons (but not quite as happy as when I'm on the podium :-)...).

As a one-time rugby player whose knees have seen better days, and with a 40th birthday on the horizon. The aquabike starts to look very appealing.

Ironman and any of its derivatives remains a very personal challenge. From the races I have attended I have never detected any malice from one finisher or group of finishers toward another.

I dont really mind, as long as its a different part of the prize giving and the tri is still the main event as it the 'real event.' As i cant swim very well so i often do dualthons instead

Andy

Hell yes. Running is simply not an option for some people due to age, injuries, etc. If this was the case for me, I would still want the chance to do some great events.

Perhaps Aquabike (or any other variation) should be treated as a completely separate division with their own start time etc. That way tri people race tri people and you don't feel so stink getting smoked on the bike by someone who doesn't have to run afterwards.

Hang On .... lets hang a sign on the Dojo door , In the big girls blouse Triathlon 2009 - the following is allowed - speed knitting in lieu of the bike leg, why not do the swim on a lilo, (Inflatable Air Bed) , how about running in comfy slippers wearing a mankini.

Triathlon is Swim,Bike and Run, any other variation is by definition not a triathlon.

Do you have a Ferrari? Many people want one, but cant for what ever reason, so why not let them drive a mini? Its still a mini and I get to drive my Ferrari - but just make sure that damm mini isn't in the fast lane. Triathlon is similar.

If people want options - let them - but an aquathon is never going to be a triathlon - just keep it where it belongs (wherever that is) and don't let it get in the way of the main event.

.

Hang on - if there's a category or event run in a race, then there should be recognition for excelling in it.

So if there's an Aquabike option, why shouldn't there be a prize or medal or whatever for finishing / winning.

Next thing you know, you'll not give Ironkids a t-shirt for not going the full 226Km!

The more events the better I say, the more reward then the more people likely to get involved. Lets not get elitist about a mass participation sport.

Should there be an aquabike at the same place - yes, the more events the better - appeal to a wider range of people. Obviously it won't be a triathlon and I don't think anyone's suggesting it is, it's a separate event. With the course all set-up it makes sense for it to be run alongside - e.g. many marathons are run over a 2-loop course with options to either do the full or half (e.g. Christchurch in NZ, Nottingham in UK).

Aquabike could also be some people's route into Tri - having done an aquabike people may the feel the need to step-up to the full Triathlon.

Do the people who have an issue with the Aquabike also have an issue with relay teams?

Can't say they bother me in the slightest, I'm just happy to see people getting out there and competing.

No. The slowest ironman finisher (or any finisher for that matter) should get more post-race recognition than the fastest aquabiker.

Imagine how absurd it would be for a marathon DNFer with the fastest 21km split getting more recognition than any other finisher.

I don't see why not, at a marathon should the wheelcahir guys get any less recognition? No way - it's a different race, if you win your race you're a winner, that's it.

i think it would be a different story if there were more people who did the aquabikes.  i think that if the races grew and the category became more competitive, e.g. top agegroupers entering, then it would be deemed worthy of more recognition.  the bottom line is, the aquabike doesnt bring in nearly as many competitors as the ironman itself.  maybe if prize $ was offered we'd get some former college swimmers who competed in cycling after graduating to become aquabike pros and a new sport would be born