Suggest an improvement for IMUK.

[Trinitri]

Just been to watch IMUK in Bolton having completed my first IM in Switzerland a few weeks ago. I was watching with other athletes who have done several of the European Ironman races and we were discussing several areas which, lets just say, we thought could be improved.

So here goes.
Have a proper dismount line drawn on the road at T2. The incoming athletes did not know where the line was and we saw several people getting it wrong.

At the run turnaround hand out a band to the people completing their first lap. That way when they come back you can direct them straight on to the finish and not have to ask them a question "is it your first or second time here?" which confused several of the athletes we watched.

Have a sign at the run turnaround point with a big arrow pointing straight on to the finish.

Have aid stations on the run course that work in both directions.

Please post your improvements on this thread and please listen IMUK race organisers as we want an IMUK event that we can all be proud of.

[AndyS..]

This is the eight year of IMUK (maybe more, that was a quick calculation) and you're still suggesting things like putting a dismount line down and sign posting the route. I'm surprised I'm still surprised by this race!

This type of thread happens every year and each year the moderators edit the pants off it to delete the libelous stuff to keep the forum safe from legal harm. I wish that wasn't the way but unfortunately it is. So be very careful when commenting on the race, only ever talk about things you can prove to be true.

[Jorgan]

Apparently the organisers are really warm, receptive and communicative individuals, so what's to add?
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Clitus I'm bored, what plaything can you offer me today?

[cubaman]

[jim66]

+1 to Andy. After every IMUK, and these have been running as IMs since 2005, there is always a debate for things to take on board by the organisers. Some things they do, some things they don't. However, it appears that many of the same mistakes are repeated. Wiganer has been an absolute star providing data, routes, details and ideas for athletes. As far as I am aware, and I could be wrong here, there has been little acknowledgement from them even though his site provided the greatest amount of useful info.
I think things will be different next year as there is a new and very capable competitor on the scene.
Best Wishes all
Jim

[AndyS..]

You are wrong on one thing Mr 66, they have been running Ironman's since 2001. The first four were half's but Ironman races none the less.

[jim66]

Andy, I was stating that these races have been run as FULL IMs since 2005 so that is now 5IMs in which they have time to improve some aspects of the race.
Cheers
Jim.
Good pic of you btw at the London piss up/gathering.

[flyingelephant]

Can't be arsed anymore. They should have the simple things sorted by now. I guess they are still missing....
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When your legs turn to jelly, attack!

You've only failed once you give up trying.

[Paul L]

Can I request this thread is locked for new posts?

If you have a suggestion, give it to IMUK directly!

That way they get to hear from real racers & supporters.

And TriTalk doesn't have to deal with the that will start all over the place.

Cheers, Paul.

[TomW]

[jim66]

Agree with Tom here. People who have taken part in this race or gone to support it today would like to make a few comments. I entirely agree they could forward their opinions to IMUK office but it does not mean they do not have to post here. If someone has an opinion that is not personally offensive or downright libellous then there is no reason why they should not put it on a public forum for all to look at, debate, consider, disagree with etc. If IMUK feel that they are being impugned then let them have it out personally with that person.
Cheers
Jim

[newarktricky]

I appreciate the mods have to be careful about libellous content on here but there seems little reason to doubt the first hand observation that mount/dismount lines and coloured bands for counting run laps still not being used.

If this is true this beggars belief IMHO and to be blunt, more fool people for paying the astronomical entrance fee to buy into a franchised brand which appears could be run more professionally than it currently is. I am sure I am not the only one who is watching with keen interest to see how OSB do with their inaugural IM distance event in Nottingham next year, it has the potential to shake the market up a bit.

NT
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Lakeland Loop 11/4 4.53.34 120th/474
Tritalkman 2010 1/5 - 5.41.20
Squires & Spires 2/5 - 4.27 with lots of cake!
Etape Du Dales 16/5 - DNS - Patellar tendonitis
Beaver 29/5 - 5.14.47 114th/400
Outlaw 8/8 11.09.40 132nd/714

[jim66]

[sgt earbash]

One thing I would suggest is the sineage on the course ( not sure if this is imuk or council ).

Lots and lots of signs saying ' major event here 2nd August '.

local public : What event ? What is it ?

I don't recal seeing any signs saying ' Ironman UK Triathlon '. If they were out there there weren't many. You need most signs to say the same and get it into the general population.

My son made a sign for th event with ' Ironman UK Bolton ' and the distances for the swim, bike, run. They suported at the beehive. The amount of locals who were suprised / impressed by the distances was suprising. You could also see a lot of drivers on the ' closed run route ' saying OMG when they saw his sign. They obviously had no idea and probably thought it was some kind of running race.

The population in the area will support these events if they are aware. They had 50000 spectators on Rivington pike for the road cycling and mountain biking at the commonwealth games in manchester. They had 70000 for the triathlon.

They had a small slot on the local news tonight for the Ironman and a small slot last night ( i didn't see it though ). manchester Skyride has had loads of coverage on local tv and press. Apart from the Bolton Evening News there aint been much coverage in the rest of the press and nothing in the Manchester Evening News in the last week.

There didn't seem to be loads of locals supporting ( but those that were there were appreciated ). It seemed mainly to be entrants families and supporters at the event.
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That really hurt, I'm not doing another one !!

[John]

Sorry if this has already been discussed somewhere else but...

Purely by coincidence I was over that neck of the woods today in the car, and got caught up the police road block at a mini roundabout near Croston. The police were letting cars through between riders, which meant that competitors were riding with traffic. I overtook a few myself. I was pretty surprised at this. Maybe it's just a fact of life that achieving fully closed roads for a race in the UK is impossible.