Having confirmed a sell-out of all full distance 2013 Ironman races back in June, the team at Ironman Europe has already seen five European Ironman events sell-out for 2014. Ironman Europe cites a recent ‘lightning fast sell-out’ for the new Ironman Copenhagen event, and notes that the options for racing an Ironman in Europe are getting fewer every day.
The newly unveiled Ironman Copenhagen sold out this week in just 6.5 hours, making it the fifth European event in the Ironman family to sell out for 2014. Two thousand slots sold online, leaving a few open for a local fitness chain, partners, sponsors and charity slots.
Ironman Austria, Ironman Frankfurt (European Championship), Ironman UK and Ironman Sweden have also virtually hit capacity for 2014. This leaves only a few remaining options for athletes hoping to race a full distance Ironman in Europe next year: Ironman Lanzarote, Ironman France, Ironman Switzerland and Ironman Wales.
This upswing in registrations indicates that European athletes are beginning to register for their chosen events earlier and earlier. As is the case in North America, European races are seeing an influx of many first-timers, serving as their entry into the Ironman lifestyle. (At Ironman UK in Bolton in early August a show of hands during the main race briefing indicated that around 70% of athletes were ‘Ironman virgins’.)
Ironman Europe notes that, for less experienced long-course athletes, ‘the pilot Age Group Ranking program in Europe allows amateurs to virtually race against other athletes as they accumulate points.’
For all international athletes, Ironman states that the European events ‘offer the experience of racing in the old world, along cobblestone streets and past historic sites and castles.’
The quick sell-out times this year serve as a reminder of the continued popularity of long distance triathlon – and the pull of the Ironman brand. All athletes looking to go long in Europe in 2014 are advised to register early to avoid disappointment.
