Question:
I just heard some alarming news last night concerning the future of
multi-sport events. It appears as though many of the smaller events
here in Colorado, are suffering poor registration numbers and will
probably go away. I was also informed one of the best event timing
companies in the state, will be calling it quits. And last but not
least, I've heard community pressures on other small (local) existing
multi-sport events will probably prevent them from continuing.
These are not good signs, and frankly I was a bit shocked in hearing
this. And I was wondering if these patterns are consistent across
the country, or if it's an isolated phenomenon we are experiencing
in Colo.?
Answer:
Odd. It seems to me that participation (at least around here)
is on the rise. Community pressure will always be a problem, particularly
in areas where the residents are more interested in watching the cars
rust than doing anything, but the fact of the matter is that triathlons
bring in a lot of money to businesses in the area where they are run,
and triathletes are usually among the most economically advantaged
groups, so they tend to spend a lot of money.
Triathlon is alive and well in Florida. I count 16 triathlons and
duathlons (including an iron distance) within 100 miles of where I
live in Melbourne between now and the end of the year.
