Triathlon Fighting A Decline In Popularity? | GTN Show Ep. 388

[@gtn]

What do you think about triathlon's decline in popularity? 📊🤔

[@abdelazizboudiaf3061]

I think the huge price tag is the problem as we are facing economic hardship everywhere in the world.

[@trigirl_laura]

I agree - Ironman have priced themselves out of the market. People are either having to reduce the number of times they race each year or not racing at all due to ever increasing costs

[@guerrero_beto]

​@@abdelazizboudiaf3061 exactly

[@DiabolicalAngel]

Triathlons and these other big sporting events are out of the price range of many especially now when people are struggling just to meet their basic needs. The cost prohibitive nature also explains the glaring lack of diversity, too. I think there should be more initiatives to make them more accessible to as many people as possible.

[@Seanwg7]

Full distance IM should be declining, they reduce the number of races, raise cost, and accommodations skyrocket around the event, it’s begs people to be 1 and done. Collectively I think only so many people in the world will do an endurance event, so with the rise in popularity of ultras and other events, it’s going to take some of the market share. I imagine social media has killed some participation too ( while also raising). Black in the day in order to experience triathlon, you had to do it ( or attend, super fomo) but now people can just follow people online that do it and be satisfied. It’s weird

[@ekkisoatima2449]

Newbie here! When I started triathlon last year, two experienced triathlete mentors told me my journey would look like this: 1. First sprint tri - unreasonably nervous about the swim, you don't die. Will wish you'd pushed yourself harder. Will love the sport and sign up for more sprints and soon an Olympic. 2. Will discover the Olympic is hard, but definitely doable and still fun. You start upgrading your gear, coveting bikes that cost more than the trade-in value of your car. After more races, you'll start eyeing the 70.3 distance. 3. Will train really hard and complete a 70.3. Feel fantastic and proud of yourself. 70.3 feels just right, but you're pressured to complete an Ironman distance to be considered a "real" triathlete. 4. You pay a fortune for an Ironman, train like it's a part-time job, alienate your friends and family, travel far to the race, then suffer for many hours and complete it. When you cross the finish line, you'll tell yourself "never again!" and go back to 70.3 and the shorter races. I'm only at the Olympic distance, but they've been right so far. I wonder whether enough casual triathletes feel the same, which could account for 70.3 and T100 popularity. Maybe the full Ironman is just too long and expensive for us casual, non-wealthy athletes to do regularly and that makes it a one-and-done bucket list item for many? What do you think?

[@thepepperboi]

I think you nailed it. Too true

[@ekkisoatima2449]

Side note: I also did my first obstacle course race in 2024 (Spartan 10k) and know multiple people who've done both OCR and triathlons and say they're considering dropping triathlons. OCR events must cost a fortune to host with the space and equipment needed and the muddy damage done to the trampled property, making OCR hard to find in my area, but they're much shorter and you can train for them pretty well in a gym or for free with some creativity and monkey bars with shorter workouts and without worrying a distracted driver could kill you on your bike. OCR also avoids the biggest factor blocking people from trying triathlon - fear of the swim. Personally, I plan to continue both... to the extent I can afford it.

[@jilliancarlson5605]

Yep! Literally spot on! Except, You forgot point 5. After a few years of 70.3 and Olympics, contemplates doing another full again because, “I bet I could be faster” 😂

[@6000Kashmirfan]

Spot on

[@peelandy]

I did a DIY full distance. That avoids the cost issue. The beauty of our sport is all the distances present different challenges so when you start to get bored try another distance.

[@JIMMYHIBBS1]

Triathlon has a lot of headwinds ..... Water quality everywhere is awful, the events are too expensive (I get organisers need to cover costs of facilities, timing chips, insurance, etc) ... and its too hard to find/afford regular events .... if you were just a runner, or cyclist, or swimmer, you could compete every weekend for pennies ... but the cost of Triathlon is crazy .... its hard not to just pick your favourite discipline and bin off Triathlons ....

[@gtn]

Thanks for the comment! Some really great points well made here

[@panzerveps]

I partially agree. I did my first triathlon last year, and the entry cost was about the same as a cycling sportive and a run combined. The price for an Ironman is insane though... I paid $800 for regretting my life choices in August...

[@JIMMYHIBBS1]

@@panzerveps I’m don’t think you can use IronMan as a measure of how popular triathlon is in general - it’s a different beast. I know loads of Ironmen who I wouldn’t class as triathletes. For a lot it’s a tick box exercise - just as someone might aim to run the London Marathon, and then never run ever again … or ride the London to Brighton .. it’s not a measure of wider sports

[@tangarz5357]

I’m annoyed about the insurance thing. Most of that is for competitors health. Which to me should be the responsibility of the athlete, I feel there is no responsibility for individuals any more.

[@sbyrstall]

I've talked to a couple race directors and they want to get out of triathlons.

[@mikew6840]

As an ooooold triathlete I think you guys nailed the reasoning for possible decline. Perhaps also the crazy cost of bikes, so as not to put yourself at a disadvantage? As a student in SA in the late 80s we literally used our commuter bikes - but so did the majority of the field ☺️!

[@gourami7]

Equipment costs can be minimised but event costs have spiralled since covid

[@mikew6840]

@ true, and quite a few of the lower key, more affordable events seem to have disappeared from the calendar. Lost sponsorships I guess.

[@graemetough9988]

James has nailed it again (OK, Mark has too) Focus on finishers, make the sport feel inclusive by retreating from the Pro/Kona qualifier centric PR. Allow the locations, experience and course variety to be the appealing factors. Make introducing the sport to other easier. Federations to focus on small, local, shorter event enabling to drive grassroots entry.

[@Chaz8su]

One argument not mentioned is there are people who want to COMPLETE a triathlon and not as many people who want to COMPETE at triathlon. A lot of people just want to go do the one event, there’s a small number of people who want to do this on a regular basis.

[@Seanwg7]

@@Chaz8su I agree… and the sport is burning the candle at both ends: raising cost affect people competing and also pushing away those who just wanted to check the box.

[@glennrice1844]

Both PTO & SuperTri are funded by Billionaires otherwise those formats wouldn’t exist given the high costs of pro events

[@NothingToSeeHere-mb3fw]

I started doing Triathlons in '89 and 'retired' from racing in 2011... - The #1 reason I stopped was the cost of races! Races were bought and race fees doubled the next year. - Did Ironman in 2010 and the race fee cost was nearly prohibitive not including travel and gear costs. Ironman doesn't have the same cache as it once did - it has lost it's sparkle. - Riding/Training on the road has become so unsafe here in the States (3 personal friends killed while cycling not including car-bike incidents). - Triathletes were no longer 'the outsiders' - Snobs began to infiltrate the space making it un-welcoming for beginners not to mention expensive. After 'retiring', I started doing gravel back in 2015...same thing is happening to Gravel as well. Greed and Money often ruins the fun and special event/sports.

[@O_bonito]

When I started in 2013, doing an Olimpic distance was a big thing. Now if you don't do an Ironman it sounds like you are not even doing a Triathlon. The difficulty level of training to an Ironman, the crazy rise in cost of equipment such as bikes and the high prices of entry in those events is creating a natural selection process in which the common hobbyist is starting to be left out and so pursuing other sports.

[@PeakPT]

This is so true in the UK. I started Tri in 2014 and just doing a triathlon was well respected. If you are not doing an 'Ironman' then people think you're not doing triathlon. I started Ultra running as the cost of tri events is getting way to high and you can get more hours for your money ultra running and the are in some great locations and generally less traffic too. Cyclists are hated in the UK now thanks to right wing press

[@chriswillis515]

I do agree with this, let’s look at it semi seriously. A sprint is longer and harder than a 10km An Olympic is longer and harder than a half marathon A 70.3 is harder and longer than a marathon Most runners target marathons so maybe we shouldn’t be focused too much on full distance triathlons.

[@lucyetherton5549]

Water quality for swimming is KEY, and risk of race changes/cancellation due to weather, and increased cost of entering even local small races.

[@brittlandrum9363]

If popularity is waning, I believe (bad) bike course selection is partly to blame. It's frustrating signing up for events and having the course ultimately ride on interstate highways (generally straight and flat) due to a lack of timely permitting. IMHO, the best courses ride through different communities and explore their unique personalities - my personal fave being Louisville 70.3.

[@ShadowzKiller]

Cost is the primary factor. TT bikes are insanely expensive now compared to years ago. Events are also very expensive.

[@chriswillis515]

My 2009 slice 105 is enough for me, but if I break the wheel (zipp 404/808) the replacement costs are horrendous.

[@jasonrosenbaum861]

I feel there is a decline in Ironman. Cost of living is way up....from hotels, food, travel....it all adds up and that is not including the entry fee. By the time you add it all up that could easily be a house payment or you could spend a week long on a vacation or take a cruise for a week. I do love the competition of the sport. But Ironman is not the only even that is losing its appeal. I have seen many half marathons and marathons no longer happening all because of my previous points. Now those races dont cost that much but when you take the cost of a marathon 100-140 dollars and look at what that could buy you....and what you get...its a tough choice people are having to make.

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

In my opinion, che cost for an Ironman is extremely high, as is the time commitment. The experience you get out of it can be truly life transformational, but similar experiences can be found in less expensive sports like ultra running, which also have a huge extra component: nature and adventure which completely lack in triathlon. Personally I can understand why people opt to do other endurance challenges which are less time and money consuming

[@run4cmt]

I started doing gravel events (tri, and Du). You get the nature component and they are smaller races.

[@lf3965]

The biggest problem is: unless you live in girona or other perfect spot, you can’t find a proper place where you can practice all 3 disciplines.

[@jazznroll5]

I only do trail running but i train like a triathlete with the twist of switching volume between cycling and running. I do this for the variety and the reduced impact forces on an aging body, while having the same or even better aerobic gains. Doing long distance triathlons is much more expensive plus transporting a bicycle is a logistical and financial nightmare.

[@marie-louisekarlander2366]

So many comments- and many thoughts. I hope it reaches the triathlon world. But James I like flat fast courses;) . I hope there is a future for the triathlon . In Sweden many sports suffering, not just triathlon. Marie-Louise

[@Cacahouete007]

I definitely relate to what James is saying. I completed my first full Ironman last summer (and first triathlon), and while I was happy, the lingering feeling was that my time wasn't as good as I'd hoped for. The day after, I was scrolling down the race results and comparing my performance vs. same age groupers (even down to same nationality). The thing is, I don't think the performance pressure necessarily comes from outside/non-triathletes - everyone is my family/friends was impressed/proud that I'd managed to do it - but rather from sources that are already well established into their triathlon journey, and how we see ourselves through their eyes. I know I put Kona as a far far away dream just because of all the publicity, hence why I was checking the results from my first ever triathlon, but I'm sure there are people out there that are doing these races just to complete and don't care about their results!

[@williammartin9450]

I think triathlon has ridden the wave of social media. We're all a bit more cynical now about our own self promotion and others interest ( which I believe is a motivating factor for many people taking up endurance sports....don't we all want to be seen as a super(wo)man by those around us?) Now there's SO much content about training, gear, "the process" that it starts to feel like everyone has done it and done it better than you ever could yourself. Just my h.o. but kudos to all who tri 😃 and good luck with 1 million subs!

[@scottblack8735]

Bring back the NBC Ironman World Championship Special. It inspired people and got them in the pipeline.

[@xander0901]

That’s me. I remember watching NBC’s Ironman World Championship special as a high school student and then signed up for my university’s triathlon team as a freshman. I’m not sure if a full Ironman is in the cards for me, but I just recently finished my first 70.3 (over 10 years after my first race).

[@TriWongTRI]

It got me to want to do an Ironman when was a kid

[@christopherdoyle4129]

And Al Trautwig! ❤

[@iznasni]

As someone said, I think lifting the drafting ban & adding some challenging hills could spice things up ;-)

[@xx765]

Agree with you on going back to its roots. I was a hardcore triathlete for a good few years, owning all the 80mm deeps wheels, elastic shoes laces and having gone to Kona. After Covid kicked me out of the tri-life bubble, I just didn't feel the urge to go back in. I still swim, bike and run but didn't like the training and racing anymore. The competition is boring. Kona gets faster and faster but doesn't it feel like the pros are more distant from the average triathletes than ever? Who cares about Super Leauge? And I actually know a lot of pros and people who do it for a living, even I feel and the triathlon elites are too obssessed with themselves. C'mon let's all admit that Triathlon is not and never will be fun to spectate, it will never be a great business. Just chill and have fun, maybe people will come back.

[@peelandy]

Alistair Brownlee always made it a good watch.

[@conniesullivan757]

The sport needs to evolve to attract newbies. More super short distance races, always allow wetsuits, get rid of drafting to avoid need to learn aero bars , etc. these are barriers to entry

[@anakinpm]

One could say registration fees are too expensive but in my opinion, main issue is that young adults are not getting into the sport as much as a decade ago. And those who are already into it and have already done some races are moving to other kinds of racing or not racing at all (here it's where fees, accomodation and travel costs apply). My perception is that less people are crazy enough to become cyclists. Bikes and cycling equipment are way too expensive and therefore the main entry barrier. Spending thousands of €|$|£ just to try it out is not reasonable at all. If you add traffic, road rage at cyclists and increasing population living in unrideable cities, prospects for triathlon can only be pessimistic

[@gtn]

Hi, thanks for the comment. There seems to be more televised triathlons than ever and hopefully this can increase participation at grass roots for the stars of tomorrow. Let’s see what happens 👍

[@mikebryan9744]

Have been competing for over 40 years in triathlon, 71 years old, last few years I’ve been grouped in with a 50+ age group because” organizers says there is not enough participants in older athletes for awards. What? Last race I did, I had the 11th fastest bike split among nearly 400 participants, would have won my age group, but finished 4th in the 50 plus masters. Totally bummed out after giving it my all, told them I wouldn’t be back, they could’ve cared less.

[@daveyboyunders]

100% it’s going through a plateau. Cost is the biggest driver, but I agree with James dull courses that are more about times rather than a challenge. This is true from ITU all the way to IM.

[@gtn]

We can see where you are coming from here, for the pros and contenders the race is hard regardless, but for many they will want to enjoy the surroundings of where they are racing, often some spectacular locations!

[@cicigarry]

Looking forward to following the newbie's journey! I learnt how to swim at age 32 and I have done 3 triathlons + 1 swim-run. I am turning 40 this year and have registered for the Ironman 70.3 Bolton. So it will be great to be training along whilst watching someone going through a similar journey!

[@winklertribe5268]

I agree that triathlon and all sports need to highlight the joy and achievement of the sport and rather than speed and placement in the race. I truly believe that completion of any race is a huge accomplishment and should be celebrated! And for the people who podium- well that’s exceptional in the truest sense of the word!

[@kevindrews]

I’m 45 and when I was a kid I remember seeing Ironman (Kona) on NBC alongside NFL football. So people knew what it was. Fast forward now 30 ish years later and soooo many people I know don’t have any idea what an Ironman triathlon is. For people to do it to aim for it They have to know its out there

[@GDubyah]

I love the series when you take someone pretty green to the sport and follow their journey. Excited to see the up and coming journey!

[@phillipbailey7080]

👀

[@jonathanzappala]

The local race scene has really dried up, I mostly have to drive farther afield now. The easiest fix would be those that have left to come back again, rather than need lots of new recruits. Maybe blame the younger generations? I'm 35, there are not a lot of people my age, and even fewer that are younger. It's like most people are late 40's and older.

[@MMichiganSalveRegina]

In my experience, every Ironman (full) race sells out. There are fewer races so fewer entrants, but I don't think there is any less interest in Ironman racing. I actually think it's becoming more appealing to young people in the US. David Goggin follower types

[@run4cmt]

There is too much focus on the IM distance and too much of a one-and-done mindset. In many triathlon groups on FB I see athletes state they want to do an IM as their first event. This is cheered on instead on encouraging a long term commitment to the sport.

[@BGS22202]

The equipment is expensive and the entry fee is expensive. But the biggest pain point is event attendance logistics. The races are usually in remote locations, start very early in the morning and are frequently canceled due to weather or water quality (I consider cancellation of the swim a cancellation - a duathlon is not a triathlon). You have to get up at 4 am to drive 50-100 miles or stay overnight at a rural hotel nearby and then they cancel at the start line. By comparison, there are hundreds of road races within a few miles, there’s a race every weekend of the year and they are almost never canceled. Also, the non-standard and inaccurately measured courses are irritating. It’s hard to evaluate your own performance against other performances or other athletes in different events because the course measurements are so varied and inaccurate from race-to-race. If it’s just about participation and finishing as Mark and James suggest, what’s the point of continuing to do races after you complete each distance?

[@gourami7]

@BGS22202 Don't think they are 100 of road races anymore in the UK.

[@jymbeau3633]

I’m a member of what you call “the endurance community” I love running, I adore swimming. I’ve been tempted to try triathlon but never taken the plunge because of the cycling component. There’s such an over emphasis on the cycling in triathlon, you can’t do well unless you can cycle, and the whole way triathlon presents this (in my experience) is that you NEED to spend at least £5k on a bike otherwise you may as well not bother. It’s inevitable; the money in sport comes from sponsors, and sponsors want to showcase, and sell, more expensive kit. But tri’ has to re-balance itself away from super-bikes to be appealing.

[@randypuckett4393]

I started triathlon in 2019, so covid years were terrible, since then it seems to me that triathlon has seen an increase in races, especially 70.3. Im in the USA, northeast, and races have been selling out. Im always encouraging all aged people to give it a try. The community is way, way better than othrr endurance sports. Keep up the great work, always good content!

[@KJ-kb7br]

As a PT in the states, I often say it’s like marshmallows on your fingers. Try picking up a piece of paper with marshmallows on your fingers. That’s the same loss in feel you get with too much cushion. Proprioception is lost. Which could result in stumping your toes or high ankle sprains .

[@jonathanzappala]

I keep hearing Hydrox with my ears, like the cookie 😂 That was the original Oreo if you don't know.

[@kautzz]

2 cents: Have been into cycling for a while, started running and swimming during the pandemic. I like the sport. Unfortunately I can't say the same about (most of) the community - lots of noob bashing, arrogance, belittlement and posing around. Raced two IM70.3, loved the racing, hated everything around it. So over-hyped and commercialized you can literally feel that the event has more to do with money than with sports. Watching races got boring fast, too. Companies investing millions to bend the sport to make it appealing on TV. Somewhere along the way I feel like they lost the spirit of the sport. Pro races today are too calculated. The ones winning managed to stick to their exact wattage and nutrition goal, didn't have a mechanical and didn't need to throw up. Don't get me wrong, I am still amazed how fast they are but watching 50 athletes (in reality only the first 2 are ever on camera) each sticking to their own game-plan is boring. The commentators seem to agree even they don't know what to talk about during a race. I think the sport could do with less pretentiousness and more action. Why not kill the non-draft rules, add some very steep climbs, do some trail / gravel, swim in a river with a lot of current, etc. to make the race dynamic bigger (I already sense the raging comments on these suggestions 😅) Personally loved the SGRAIL100 in Girona. The event was organized with a lot of love, nice crowd and some proper hard climbs during the bike and run.

[@KidstyPike780]

I've started to embrace self-supported events: last year I did my first 70.3 distance alone, without washing machine or lurking cutoffs and for the cost of pool entry + some food. Even the much cheaper ultra running events I tend to do self-supported with friends: costs are negligible, no competition, more time to explore and it allows for great flexibility. "The forecast is terrible for this weekend!" "Let's just move it to the next one instead." A proper race once in a while is fun though!

[@chuckschreiber2365]

One thing USAT can do immediately is to allow buoyancy shorts for all race temps up to 83.8°F/28.8°C. Above the knee buoyancy shorts, no tops for temps above 78.1 F to 83.8 F and still be eligible for awards. The idea that it’s ok, but makes you ineligible for awards is one of those ludicrous triathlon traditions that just adds to the distaste some people have for the sport.

[@craigmcpheator4208]

Make triathlon great again. It is great but it has lost its way a bit. Price is clearly one but so has all the nonsense around it (swag, bragging, the need for races to be “experiences”). Just go back to the basics. Also, give athletes the option to tick “I don’t want all the swag rubbish” and make it greener too. I’ve moved to Xtri because it’s raw triathlon, and it’s a challenge.

[@notmyrealname6272]

The cost The logistics/locations The SWIM Not having been a swimmer a a child is a major factor. The fear and cold factor on top of just being rubbish makes it a huge barrier. If you’re crap on bike or run it doesn’t affect t you nearly as much mentally -it’s not scary, you’re just slow-and you can improve much more quickly and noticeably but swimming is a nightmare if you’re bad at it or a beginner and the thought of open water swimming in particular if you’re not confident is potentially terrifying and at best off putting.

[@stevengtv]

Practice more! Get obsessed with improving at the swim. It’s rewarding to see the improvements.

[@run4cmt]

I am a self taught swimmer. I have been a triathlete for 14 years. It can be done.

[@marcuswills6569]

I believe if you are on a tight budget, you can get away with being self coached on cycling and running but swimming requires some level of coaching as its 95% technique.

[@stevengtv]

@@marcuswills6569join a masters swim group. Get some one on one coaching from a swim coach.

[@magnemmar4869]

Prices are absurd. $125 for early reg for an outdoor pool based sprint. $140 without an early registration discount. And that's for a race where the run is on sidewalks, and the road course is a series of right turns in a loop. Will I pay that? Yes, but I'm invested. New people won't be as willing. All prices have gone up. Then, factor in hotels for some races, travel costs, and all on top of training.

[@Seanwg7]

@@magnemmar4869 cost for accommodation around an even are absurd… I convince myself to pay the $400 race fee (70.3) but then a hotel or Airbnb is like $500 a night 😵‍💫

[@marie-louisekarlander2366]

Please make a video with Kat Matthew. Now it’s off season- what is her goal plan for next year? Training now in the winter-time ? Really my favorite- I like her way to compete. She really inspires me and for sure many other in the triathlon world. Marie-Louise

[@g500xl]

I think you are on to something with "every finisher should be celebrated". I've only completed one Triathlon in 2023. I decided to do an Olympic length about 4 hours away from my home. It was also a college sprint race. My daughter, 10 years old, also did the children's tri. By the time I finished there were only about 4-5 people at the finish line area. My daughter crashed her bike so I went back to encourage her and walk the rest of the bike and walk the run with her. (I was still proud she walked out the last two event instead of quitting). By the time we were both done I was a little surprised there was anything left at the end. And this was an event prized for it's comradery. I'm going to do more races this year (planning 4-5o I hope things are different. But to state again, you're right to some level the celebration of every finisher is no longer what it should be.

[@lilsimes1]

The tri scene in Northern Ireland is almost gone. The councils put so much red tape in the way for organisers that they took the opportunity to stop when Covid hit. Plus people naturally went longer and longer because they wanted to do Ironman. And doing an Ironman has retired a lot of people from the sport as they sickened themselves with training 😀

[@lucascantal]

Right now i believe its the best phase for Triathlon in Brazil. First time we had a brazilian in a top 10 in Olympics, all the Ironman brand races are already sold-out and we finally have the pros racing a complete schedule(ironman) in the country. Its getting so much hype!!

[@GrooveyBobby]

I dont think its only triathlon affected, last year I looked at booking my son and I for an ultramarathon event in the Blue Mountains (NSW) it was going to cost over $500 dollars and we had to bring a list of essentials an arm long, plus flying in from Melbourne …Sorry that $500 dollars will feed my entire family for 2 weeks including running/Biking snacks and treats for everyone (four legged running pal included) Love the show ❤

[@typhoon7006]

I competed in the Cardiff 70.3 in 2023 which organised by the Always Aim High company, Hottest day of the year 81° I thoroughly enjoyed the race it was very well run. When I added up the cost of Entry, Hotel, Travel, and eating out it came close to £1000, all for 6 Hrs 45 of pain....LOL ! I still loved it .

[@Underdog_Triathlete]

A few thoughts: I’d be interested to see total numbers, but ALSO, number of new licenses and license non-renewals per year. My suspicion is that 2012-14 saw a huge boom in people trying the sport out for the first time to jump on the “hype train,” then a gradual decrease as some of those newbies decide it’s not for them, while at the same time, more-committed new athletes still continue joining at the same slow & steady pace they always have. It feels like backwards progress because it’s not as MUCH forwards progress as we saw during that boom-but that’s always how it feels when using an economic mindset: anything but the biggest, most incredible short-term growth is tantamount to failure. But we as triathletes don’t have to think that way, and I think slow growth or maintenance are still signs that people are keeping at it-and thus, that the sport is healthy. We’ve just gotta keep supporting our smaller local race organizers to keep them afloat-they’re the lifeblood of triathlon no matter what.

In Portugal triathlon is becoming huge. Big races maxing out in three days.

[@garethrowan4]

I got into triathlon in 2019, but unfortunately COVID stopped the first year's race But was loving the sea swimming as ever where was closed Managed to get my first race in 21 and was hooked Frist Tri was in a surf wet suit, and on a borrowed bike I have now got into it, have 2 bikes 2 proper wetsuits and have done a 70.3 and entered into my first full ironman this year The biggest struggle I have with the sport is the cost! It cost a fortune Race day licence and entry fee pulse travel Even if it's a local race and you dnt have to travel it still expensive to enter I am part of club (Hi-elbow Tri club) we host a race each year and know how hard and expensive it is to put on! One of the hardest aspects is road safety, this could be helped by local council but they dnt seem to want to help in anyway Costly race means higher fees and I think that puts people off unfortunately

[@paulodominguez378]

Triathlon will always be the most helpful tool for self development in terms of sports performance and personal growth in life .

[@gtn]

We love reading this!

[@mobystwin]

Equipment is out of control. Everybody thinks they have to have the latest equipment, lightest, perfect bikes, highest quality, nutrition, etc. In the early years of the 80s and 90s that was Grassroots primal and fun. People with all this tech info like triathlon Tara used to do but a nail in the coffin by making the sport Comparable to F1 where expense isn’t only paying for travel loans and getting to it. It’s all the equipment that, if you don’t have, an average Joe feels like he can’t compete.

[@jdominc3387]

So true! I am 41 and began two years ago doing sprint and olympic distance with a 90's mountain bike and 20€ trisuit from Decathlon. Last year I did those and a 70.3 with my gravel bike, a 70€ trisuit and a 50€ wetsuit (wiggle sales were great!) and regular running shoes. This year I think I will change from gravel tires to wide road tires to roll little faster 🙂 Maybe one day I will do an Ironman, but I really enjoy the other distances. I will continue to slowly upgrade equipment, but the real gains come from training better (and dropping weight in my case).

[@fatimacortes-yz5ov]

Greatings from Mexico!🇲🇽, as wife of a non pro triathlete, I personally that the sport it’s expensive itself , it’s not for everyone , plus the events got so expensive and have less quality, they offer you less , and also the waters got really dirty, so….. plus if you want to take your family with you to cheer you up, you have to expend a lot more, so…

[@andrewluneau3193]

"Getting back to your roots of community" exactly the reason I left triathlon for gravel. The arms race for the best bike, carbon shoes, aero everything became intolerable. Gravel "racing" and the community it has is like what triathlon was 20 years ago. I'm sure gravel will be ruined too, but right now it's so much better

[@wayneell3796]

In western Canada we have had covid (like everywhere else) coupled with unreliable air quality (smoke) that has thinned the margins of organizers making some events drop off, like Ironman Penticton for instance

[@Scartoons-t1h]

Doing a triathlon is a huge flex. Not so much that you are boasting how fit you are, but rather that you have a sizable disposable income!

[@iggalan]

In my own small "bubble" events are still packed and there are plenty of smaller local events to choose from (Catalunya,Spain). I love the challenge and triathlon is definitely challenging in any distance. In my case I'm a bad swimmer, I know, but want to be good, I want to prove that I can be good even if it takes time. Also here the competition is fierce at all age groups, people take this seriously and train hard, if I raced at the current level 10 years ago I would be making top spots in my group but it's all good I'm here to challenge myself (and hopefully learn to swim in the process 😂 )

[@martyndenoual5342]

Who’s drawing the short straw and signing up to the spine race from the GTN team? 😁

[@glendownton]

The segment on triathlon declining seems to conflate participation in (branded) long-course events with participation in triathlon in general, and this could be part of the issue. The foundation of the sport should always be the local shorter-course events; for new participants those events are far more accessible in every way and (at least in my experience) generally full of people more interested in getting out for a bit of fun on a weekend morning rather than the "smash your goals, crush your PRs!!" type of crowd. We all love to see athletes of all levels giving it their all on the long course events. But those events should be viewed as the pinnacle of the sport for those who choose to go that route, not its be-all and end-all.

[@TempoKemp]

Alex Yee ran the Night of the 10,000m PBs for his personal best 10,000m time of 27:51.94. This race took place on May 19, 2018 at the Parliament Hill athletics track in London, England.

[@TempoKemp]

Brownlee ran 28:32 in 2013 on the track

[@martynlancaster4453]

100% our small Tri club will close down as an official club this year. We are not renewing with BTF. Sadly apart from the membership money we get very little from them. The club has gone from a max of 35 members to 7 , we have money but no members coming in . So a decision has been made. It’s down to many things . Event cost! Equipment cost, travel cost, follow on from pandemic! Peoples time to train. BTF need to do much much more for small clubs !!

[@gtn]

Hi, thanks for the comment. This is so sad to read regarding the closure of your tri club 😢

[@marcuswills6569]

This is the best answer I've seen to the issue at hand

[@antoniojimenez4928]

I think you could finish a 70.3 without committing huge investment in equipment, nutrition and a coach. This is not the case for long distance where you need to commit pretty much your life to train, recovery and perhaps some training camp. There is a limit on how many 2long distance can attract

[@christopherscott8533]

Equipment is expensive true, but mainly because in the early days pros were competing with the same inexpensive solutions (road bikes with clip-ons, running singlets and shorts and basic wetsuits or just speedos). Now a new athlete sees what the pros are doing and it all seems unattainable.

[@fabianrares]

I can't believe PTO destroyed a perfectly affordable event "T100 London" ai paid £99 about 2 years ago. Now when I checked the 100 distance costs £399, I don't want their bags and stuff used to inflate the price. Literally is the same old course but multiple laps. Never I'll pay suc price for that course and Event...

[@johnellis6944]

I think you are spot on with the cost of living. However the cost of entry to Ironman races has also gone up significantly. I was planning on Ironman Malaysia but since 2019 when I last did the race the price has gone up over NZD$400 and will be closer to NZD$500 with fees. That was Tier 1 pricing comparisons. At that price I have decided not to do the race. I will look at challenge races and maybe go and do an ultra marathon. I fully understand rising costs however there comes a point where you have to go - I am not prepared to pay that much. Keep up the good work.

[@juliandivett4244]

I had a long term goal of doing an ironman but found the training especially swimming and distance running were too solitary compared to cycling. I’ve moved over to endurance cycling which is much more sociable and you get to see much more. The idea of running a marathon in a loop just puts me off.

[@cnaimoli007]

Why I got into it? I was getting older and I was getting injured and started cross training. I knew staying healthy would be an issue as I get older so I figured the transition would be easier by the time I was forced to switch over completely. I also wanted to do Kona which I did in October. Now that that is finished, the money just turns me off. It’s cheaper to do run events and you can do them more often. Now I can still do small local events and will continue to train like a triathlete by using the biking and swimming as part of keeping me healthy, but spending all that money just isn’t worth it.

[@mikerobinson2619]

I did IMUK in 2011, Outlaw in 2017, and then IM Swansea 70.3 last year. The difference in the experience over the years has been huge, with the biggest change being Swansea. It was a great day, good people, but it was massively commercial. It seemed like the focus had moved from the athletes as being special and having done something special, to it all being about the brand. You weren't special because of what you had done, you were basking in the "Glow of the M-Dot". T shirts were handed out for registering, not finishing, and if you wanted something else with the logo on you had to pay, and pay a lot. And if you wanted Swansea specific you had to buy it on Saturday, because it would be sold out by after the race, which the shop staff knew and hated. Ironman making sure things sell out as people panic buy so they don't miss out. All about the $$$

[@will_mcelgunn]

The problem with attempting to correlate high stack shoes to increased injury risk is that it depends on what the comparison is. Shoe tech has gotten a lot better over the years, but more and more people are being put into support shoes when they don't need it. Self reported data like the study here would definitely have a vulnerability due to this, where people are moving towards high stack shoes, but they're also moving towards different support types as well. Multiple variables at play here.

[@GeorgeSilvino]

Tri-Spy: Chelsea Sodaro - I won’t guess from what race as Mark will laugh at me 😊

[@marinrodriguez7729]

There are so many factors to consider and of course, they will vary by country. Here in the USA my observations from doing triathlons for the past 30 yrs are that you need good local series to attract new triathletes. These seem to be harder and harder to find. In my area, thankfully, you can find small, local tri's and even a few mixed team relays ( if u dont mind getting your soul and ego crushed by local college kids🤪). In the larger picture, I think that there is a lot more competition for the athlete dollars. Trail runs ( when did that become a thing-Ive been running trails for like 45 yrs-we always just called in "running")🤷🏽‍♂️, cross fit games (watching those guys "swim" is a hoot), Spartan Races/Tough Mudders...they are all more accessible than tri's. This last thought might be controversial but as a person of color I bring this perspective...triathlon is mainly a white and lets face it , bougie sport. For it to not just survive, but thrive, there has to be accessibility to all people at a reasonable price point (talking to you Ironman!). When the faces of triathlon the sport are more diverse, the sport will begin to reflect that and numbers will grow.

[@PeakPT]

I've alway ridden my road bike and done quite well, top 20 overall and top 5 in age group in local events. As participation has dropped since covid in the UK and there are fewer sprint and olympic events, I've noticed that people I'm competing against have all got high end TT bikes and are seriously investing in kit. They are almost pro level with what they are using. Once you have done a few races and want to do more than finish, you need deep pockets to compete. This is not the same in running and swimming as standalone sports

[@johnrwilker]

It’s all my fault! I’m turning 60 this year and started doing triathlons 3 years ago. All my life, I’ve either been way behind the trend or way in front of it so it was bound to happen after I started. 😂 For me, this is a deeply personal journey. I saw my first Ironman on NBC, Kona, back in the early 80s and thought that looked cool and wanted to give it a try. I finally achieved that goal much later than I thought. I follow the pros but that’s not what I’m looking for or what keeps me motivated. I’m only competitive with myself and I’m using subpar equipment but that’s ok for me. For others, not so much. I would love a top of the line TT bike but that’s ain’t happening for me. Also, the training takes a lot of time. I could never have had the time when my kids were small. Young families now are so committed to raising the children and providing opportunities for them that their own lives get swept aside. That happened to me and I only began to find my joy after they had grown. It’s tough now as an older beginner.

[@SubNine9]

Being in the sport since 1998 it’s gotten way too expensive across the board. Plus the family feel that the races used to have has diminished. Take care out there and chase your dreams

[@blindstrom14]

Based on the local events in my home area (SE Alabama and NW Florida), I’d have to see we are in a bit of a decline. It seems like we had a little post-COVID bump up, but overall, it seems like numbers at long running local triathlons are down. We’ve lost a few (Red Hills Sprint in Tallahassee and Sprint on the Flint in Bainbridge, Georgia to name two) recently. Not all gloom and doom though, some others are still going strong. But overall, I’d say we’re in a general decline.

[@guyholbrow7207]

Learning to swim is a milestone (human origination), learning to ride a bike is a milestone (invention of the wheel), wanting to run before we can walk (survival instinct and wanting to outrun each other for fun); oh triathlon, you undeniably celebrate life, drop the mic!

[@KL-ii1xt]

TRI, IM, HYROX, ETC ETC ETC all has it time and the hype bros and madams will go to the next hype endurance sport etc cheers lads

[@Seanwg7]

@@KL-ii1xt nah Hyrox is rubbish and only a flash in the pan because of views for the hype bros and madams.

[@deanb61]

It's always been expensive, so I'm not sure how much effect that has, ok a mid range TT bike is probably considerably more now than in 2014, but I still think costs haven't significantly increased. Other sports probably had some affect, ultra running maybe. Covid killed a number of triathlons, Ironman continued, but a lot of the local races disappeared and they were often the feeders for people coming into the sport. The Brownlees took over Tri-hard, but others have gone, e.g. the Ledgerman in Doncaster, which was the first half distance I did. Finally, the ironman 70.3 itself has taken a lot of people from the full distance races.

[@will_mcelgunn]

I think triathlon (specifically Ironman) caters a lot to the wealthy, which just demographically is a small subset of the total population. T100 age group events actually do a decent job being very reasonably priced for a "big" event, so there's definitely progress in being open to a wider group of income distributions, but I'd like to see some data on triathlon participation vs income level. I'd suspect any hard numbers proving costs are prohibitive would convince tri companies to lower entry fees/gear costs to gain more participants

[@xander0901]

Cost is going to be the big factor, but I also think competition among endurance events is something that shouldn’t be discounted. We are approaching the point where many events that struggled during the COVID years are making solid comebacks, leading to an increase in event offerings. I think the competition between events will drive organizers to find ways to provide a better experience for participants. On a separate note, I have a feeling that middle/long distance events will need to supplement their offerings with shorter distance events in order to remain financially competitive.

[@KillerStephen]

I am planning to do my first Triathlon later this year.

[@gtn]

Good luck and hope you smash your first triathlon! Do let us know how you get on with the training

[@samib6963]

triathlon costs a lot! Time spent training and it’s never enough because you have to do 3 sports plus( weight,stretching and so on…).You need a tone of equipment than needs to be replaced due to usage and standards and innovation.My apartment is like storage. Participation in events are super pricy adding to cost. I would be doing only one sport if I was starting now . I can not just give up now because I can’t tell what sport I like the most 😂.

[@CintiaTobar]

In my opinion, Ironman became a business. Nowadays, it is not about the challenge or the love for the sport. I started racing triathlon in 2008, and raced until 2018 (including 10 IMs and Kona). I am now a mom, so I have not raced for two years or so, but before, I was into Extreme triathlon, which is about challenge and nature. I live in Europe now, and here are plenty of extreme triathlons for great prices and different distances (not only full).

[@stevenmurray1516]

It took almost 40 years of Triathlon and a prostate cancer diagnosis to get me to shell out the 💰 to go to an Ironman event like my friends! That said I’m now trying to budget for doing one each year lol I have organized many Nova Scotia school track/cross country events as well as the local provincial road race. In recent years I’ve seen a massive decline in Triathlon events Provincially and I’m guessing this is due to when older people like myself finally step aside and hope someone else will take over often in small locations nobody else does. Or when they do the huge difficulty it now has become causes them to not continue let alone the modern reality of litigation and insurance issues etc. Without local and hopefully first time cheap entry for the limited youth of today that see themselves as athletes it’s not likely enough will ever get the Triathlon “bug” that so many of us have. I think if there’s enough opportunity for young people to attempt a Triathlon enough will get the bug and like me will compete at the upper limit of what their budget or in my case Wife will allow or at least not know about 🤞

[@noladiorez8305]

Personally I do not think its just the organisers of the races but also triathlon clubs. I do not know how this works in other countries, but in the Netherlands we have clubs throughout the country you can join. What these clubs set as the norm (compete, complete of simply enjoy the sport) matters. These are the people, the other triathletes you see on a regular basis. Ideally clubs would offer a mixture of all three (or more) ways to do our sport, allowing each individual triathlete to decide for themselves what their goals are at any given moment.

[@ccquang]

In Australia there is a solid pipeline of grassroots athlete development and recreational participation in sports like swimming. Top shelf events like those you've mentioned cater for the established triathletes but unless the sport finds a way to feed the development pipeline at the community/grassroots, it will not be sustainable and only serve the elites

[@joshuasmith4315]

I got into tri during covid and loved it for a few years. Regretfully maintaining life and trying to be competitive in AG are incompatible.

[@Anthony-bc9jc]

I’m a newer triathlete and I’ve been pretty frustrated with the cost of entry fees, bikes ( I bought a used tri bike from 2012 and saved a lot) running shoes, nutrition, cost of joining tri team and coaches.

[@Seanwg7]

One other thing I’d add on the IM front is that they market themselves very hard towards the “ one and done” or “ check the box “ persons. Any I’m video is all about the age grouper finishing in 16-16 hours and overcoming life struggles, which is beautiful… but that person will not grow the sport… especially when they can go do an ultramarathon instead for much cheaper.

[@scotthorns5576]

Going on 34 yrs in the sport and did the majority of my IM racing during the boom time-per the timeline chart. Now struggling to keep going. I still train like a triathlete 7 days a week, Other than a 70.3 relay, which I had never done and was fun. I have not raced since 2019 and no IM races since 2013 when I finished my 15th and final in Kona. Several factors are on my mind. The cost is crazy now for basically no value on the dollar. Then some locations WTC picks are boring- I do not want to race in Rockford, Il. Even USAT picking lame National Championship Midwest locations offers no excitement at all. I am looking to move towards short distance as I have not focused on that and it serves my free time and need to keep speed as I age, but none of the races are appealing other than St. Anthony nearby in Florida. Add in the risk of cycling now due to the amount of distracted drivers as I live in a tourist beach town. I have slowly moved away despite not wanting too. I have actually started a new sport- Skydiving- which is oddly very safe and way safer then cycling. Has a super cool community and is cheaper then triathlon, who knew considering it involves a plane. So for now I will continue to train like a triathlete as I love an excuse to push my body and be outside. Until the organizers find a way to pick better locations and provide more value. I will be investing my energy into jumping out of planes with an occasional local sprint or maybe one final IM race in Roth- which does provide value and location and excitement. Also add in 2019 2 of the 3 70.3 I did the swim was canceled. That never happened back in early 2000s. The sport has been watered down with babying new participants and added field to IMWC. Qualifying for IMWC now is not the holey grail it use to be.

[@gtn]

Hi, thanks for the comment! You’ve certainly seen plenty of changes over the years. We’d love to get tri events booming again

[@s.g.engineeringltds.g.engineer]

Try spy: Gustav Eden ? Oh and yes, Long distance Triathlon is just getting waay too expensive for most people but your local sprints run by local clubs are the best. Support them more instead of the big ugly corporate machines.

[@paisnalija]

When you consider Super League & WTS, 70.3, Challenge Family is expanding, indoor triathlon kicking off, not agreement. I think there are ups and downs, but alot of many other options. We should embrasse that.

[@glenngundermann2433]

The cost of accommodations is ridiculous. Hotel prices are double for an Ironman event. Add in the race fees and transportation costs, it's getting out of hand.

[@jonesy5192]

Costs are getting silly, i was thinking about entering Bolton 70.3 but the entry fee is currently sat at close to £400!!

[@yesitis1395]

More people in my racing area are going so much faster, yet the participation is going down. So, the focus on doing 2-3 A-races versus doing 8-10 local races, rings too true. Plus, a local sprint race just posted at $140 plus the sign-up fees. A week out from the race, it will be probably $185 for an hour of participation. There are two reasons.

[@Warmeater]

After 6 years of doin triathlons i noticed i looked worse,got less power,lost a lot of time to be fit but what i got is weak body.. After watchin Joe Skipper im gonna try Hyrox. I will stay with triathlons sprints beacuse i love this summer triathlon lifestyle+ hate running while its hot😂

[@marcuswills6569]

If you have less power, are less fit and have a weak body I would suggest that your training is all levels of wrong!

[@michaelpawlak4785]

If i do 1 race in a year in the US, USAT requires me to pay on top of the entry. No other governing body has a membership requirement to participate in any event. The price of events has gooten so expensive. Also, my training fell off feom covid, and its been tough getting back onto track to feel like it is worth spending the money on an event. I want to get back to it, but i will be far more selective as to what even i will jump back into

[@Flynbourne]

New subscriber. Now 6999 to go