Having noticed the Ironman Corporation is looking for a new CEO, I decided to record an episode sharing what I would do if I were tasked with the job.
This is of particular interest to me as I attended the 1989 Hawaii Ironman World Championships, which used to be held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. My time of 8:57 is still the USA record for the 24 and under age group, so I haven’t had to return (thank goodness!), but it’s great to see how triathlon has grown like crazy since my days on the pro circuit (’86-’94), not to mention endurance sports in general. However, some of this growth has come at a cost to health and well-being, and there have been many complaints about over-commercialization and the extreme costs of competing. As you’ll hear during this show, there are a few specific things that I would do to improve the Ironman experience and make it more accessible for a wider group of people. Yes, Ironman, like all corporations, has a right to make a profit, however what about students or people who cannot afford the expense of competitions like Ironman?
From aerobars to road cycling to drug tests, there are many improvements that could be made to this competition, so if you are an endurance athlete who wants to know what those potential improvements are, this is the episode for you.
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TIMESTAMPS:
Much is changing in the world of triathlon. They are looking for a new CEO for the Ironman corporation. [00:24]
Brad shares his experience of putting on several events himself. His take on the increases of entry fees seems fair. [05:18]
If Brad were the CEO of the Ironman corporation, he would make the distance shorter. [10:30]
The Ironman was started in 1978 by a bunch of drunken sailors coming up with random distances. Why is it held in such high esteem when it actually compromises the athlete’s health? [11:46]
People with tattoo of Ironman on their body should get paid as a sponsor. [17:25]Â
AS CEO, Brad would ban Aero Bars for recreational athletes along with banning road cycling. [19:04]
Drug testing is controversial, especially for amateurs. [30:05]
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