I had the pleasure this week of sitting in a meeting with a number of pro triathletes and a few prominent race directors. Well, given that I called the meeting is beside the point. However, the focus of our gathering was to begin the process of examining our entire pro structure and see what USAT can do to improve it.
Susan Williams, Sam McGlone, Joe Umphenour, and Dave Messenheimer joined us from the pro ranks. Mike Greer and Barry Siff represented the voice of race directors. Tim Yount, Kathy Matejka, Scott Schnitzspahn and Cliff English were our staff present.
I believe the structure is simply broken. It needs better definition, better support, better organization, and interestingly enough, I have many of the same complaints that Mike Greer has voiced since 1993. Well the time has come for USAT to step up and do something about it.
The meeting was terrific and we looked at a host of great ideas. From here, we will create a recap of all issues discussed. We then will expand our meeting to include many other interested parties and continue the discussions going until we can launch the platform for 2009. Aggressive plans? Yes, but if enough really bright, passionate people can put their minds to this, we can get it done.
I won’t delve into all of the issues we discussed but I will touch on one topic that created much dialog.
Should age-group athletes be able to earn prize money?
If you ask the pros, I’m sure they will say “no”. Ask the age-group athletes, they will say “why not”? Ask the race directors and they will go both ways. So the question really is a philosophical one. Should USAT govern one way or the other or should the race directors be left to decide for their own particular race?
It’s a very interesting debate but one that absolutely must be decided upon before we can truly impact the pro structure.
- Skip
Awarding prize money to age groupers will encourage “lesser quality” pros to drop down to age group to clean up.
I am sure that real age groupers (with real jobs as opposed to doing sponsorships and endorsements etc) would prefer “payment in kind”, kit, gear, bike accessories etc
After all, it really is only a very small few who can make their living out of it..
By: jonathan on February 28, 2008
at 2:02 pm
This may be naive, but – why doesn’t USAT pay more attention to what I suspect is the bulk of its membership – the weekend triathletes who work hard to hold down full time jobs while trying to squeeze in workouts through the week?
By: K.C. on February 29, 2008
at 11:25 pm
Two things:
1. Leaving it up to the race organizers would be better since not all of them could afford to do this and by mandating prize money at all races might squeeze out many of the smaller, more fun (and affordable to the Age Grouper) races.
2. Why not put AG athletes into categories similiar to USA Cycling? In cycling races only certain Cat level racers can win money. All the lower Cat racers usually compete for prizes, medals, points, etc.
Just my 2 cents.
By: Matt on March 4, 2008
at 3:46 pm
I’d rather see Pros being able to make a living before age groupers dip into the prize pool. Also agree that what competitive age groupers would want is gear to support their habit, but again Pros should come first.
By: Jon on March 11, 2008
at 4:13 pm
Several races I’ve competed in have had merchandise prizes donated by sponsors – sun glasses, shoes, swim goggles. I wouldn’t want to get caught up in chasing after prize money. I’m an amateur and if I was young enough and fast enough maybe I would turn pro.
By: Dave Robinette on March 12, 2008
at 7:35 pm
I don’t have the answer to this question, but doesn’t economics say that when the market is left alone, it tends to balance itself out pretty well?
By: Eric Johnson on March 12, 2008
at 9:23 pm
Yes, Age Groupers should earn prize money. But it probably won’t happen. There is no incentive for RDs to provide a purse at the AG level. They get all the AGers they want, as most triathlons sell out. And if they don’t, they couldn’t afford to pay prize money anyway.
Another factor is that the real pros don’t even get paid that much, so AG prize money would probably impact the pro money negatively.
This sport has a long way to go before there is incentive to encourage older triathletes to compete in specific races with money, or even significant merchandise awards. The equipment, apparel, nutrition, etc companies need to see the advertising benefits of funding meaningfully large cash prizes before even the pro ranks can grow, much less even start funding the Age Groupers. Otherwise race entry fees will have to go up well beyond the obscene amount they are already charging.
In the short run, I’d much rather see lower race entry fees for everyone, than prize money for AGers. This would bring more people into the sport, especially younger athletes with limited finances, and thus expand the sport. This would eventually provide the much larger market for the equipment, etc companies. They would hopefully then be able to recognize the value of investing in big-time prize money. And down the road a bit further? Maybe some sort of modest prize money for the top AGers.
By: Doug Boswell on March 24, 2008
at 3:41 am
Prizes provided by sponsors would be the best prizes for age groupers. Races are already getting very expensive and entry fees would be outrageous by provided prize money for pros and age groupers. The age groupers would appreciate the goodies much more than the money.
By: Angy on March 26, 2008
at 1:54 am
I’m a blue collar worker who enjoys the chance to compete in this sport. I started as a runner, paying 10.00
to 20.00 to run in a race. For the last 7 years I’ve competed in triathlons and as in running I place in my AG more often
than not. If it means race entry fees would increase beyond the outrageous amount they are now, what are ‘you’ trying to
accomplish by paying out money to AG’ers. Are we making the sport only affordable to sponsored athletes and ‘well off’
AG’ers? I can run the Boilermaker through the middle of Utica, NY with 10,000 people and with all the logistics involved
it cost 35.00 to enter. I would like to run atleast one Ironman event before I’m unable (I’m 57), Holy cow, $500.00!!!JUST
TO ENTER. I’m running a 1/2 IM this spring at $185.00/entry fee, in the middle of nowhere no big city to shut down. I love this sport
and I am competitive, if I podium, give me a discount at my next race, PLEASE! Slider
By: slider on March 30, 2008
at 11:55 am
I think a common sentiment would be to just get the races to be slightly cheaper.
We’d all love to win money, but honestly, if we were that good, we’d be pros.
The more we let oursleves turn into a traditional business, the more we’ll lose why we’re out there.
The USAT is doing a fine job, let’s not over complicate it.
Pros should make money and bring a higher level of competition to our sport. The USAT should just strike deals with gear companies to give out Bikes and Wet suits as prizes, something that could help us all upgrade our game.
By: Brendan Hermes on April 1, 2008
at 5:18 pm
I’m founder and RD of a small sprint (Monster)in rural TN. We don’t sell out. We are new to the culture.A small core here are bringing Tri to new territory.We give substatial cash award to overall 1,2,3(under 500 limit for 1st)This cash does not bring in equivilent entries,we do it for the pure sport of seeing some great athtletes in person.We keep entry fees low, and give all profit to charity.I’d rather get cash than some donated swag I don’t need.As an RD , as long as I’m doing diligence for AG,why not have a Pro division at our little Sprint
By: Scott on April 10, 2008
at 12:15 am
I totaly agree with Dough Boswell, who had put it down very well.
By: Gabriela Baranova on April 10, 2008
at 3:45 am
“In the short run, I’d much rather see lower race entry fees for everyone, than prize money for AGers.”
I just wanted to second that. Racing for an AG athlete isn’t about money – it’s about a lot of other things, personal satisfaction chief among them. It’s about health and vitality and having fun and being self indulgent.
I don’t see any reason to prohibit giving prize money so help yourself Scott – if it helps your event grow then more power to you. I just don’t think that making prize money a standard part of the amateur experience makes any sense and I shudder to think of the race fees climbing any higher.
By: Pamela Herbert on April 24, 2008
at 8:44 pm
Why do you spend so much time meeting with professionals?
Shouldn’t you be spending more of your time taking care of the concerns of the people that make up 99-1/2 % of the membership of USAT?
By: Curtis Harter on May 5, 2008
at 2:16 am
If you are going to payout for the top 3 overall men and women I say pay it out to the fatest 3 men and Women regardless of status. These will most likely be the pro athletes but why not give everyone a shot.
Personally I would be glad to see the age groups go away in favor of a categorized system similar to cycling. I can’t stand to cross the finish line alone only to be beaten overall but athletes in different age groups who I never had a chance to race.
By: Jeremy Wessels on May 5, 2008
at 6:25 pm
I first entered a triathlon on a challenge from a friend. To earn money for something you love to do would be ideal. The big problem with that is I would probably starve. Leave the money out and increase the membership with lower fees, more promotion and events.
In all sports there are certain individuals because of their training, skill and ability will always find a way to profit from it. When we help them we help ourselves. You can pay them to play but for me throw in some sunglasses!
By: Pat Behr on May 10, 2008
at 2:16 pm
Maybe consider having higher standards for those entertaining elite status. AND once an elite put in place stricter standards to maintain one’s pro/elite status. Let’s face it, a lot of very talented athletes turn pro prematurely, then get eaten alive. We never hear about them again. I am suprised at the athletes who deem themselves ready to race pro and even more baffled at those that have been racing pro and are getting beat by AGs everytime.
By: gail on June 9, 2008
at 7:23 pm
Name me an age-grouper that wouldn’t do a race because they didn’t offer prize money?
This is a non-issue for USAT.
Let’s talk about how to recruit top age-groupers (especially the ones right out of college) to join the elite ranks and build the talent pool for London 2012
Just my humble opinion,
John Lynch
Dad, Sponsor, Triathlete & Business Owner
http://www.ShowMeCables.com
By: HDMI Cable Guy on June 18, 2008
at 3:08 am
Samantha McGlone is Canadian, right?
By: Dan on June 18, 2008
at 8:01 pm