The Big Woody

Oh how the IM marketing team are rubbing their hands and pocketing the money.

As someone who has not done an IM distance race, but would like to.  Personally, I would want my first IM race to be an acurate distance course.  I believe Outlaw is acurately measured, so would be happy with that one. But if BW is short, it would not interest me in the slightest, I would feel cheated.  For me,it`s not the branding, but the validity of the distance.  

Dreaming Of Magic wrote (see)

As someone who has not done an IM distance race, but would like to.  Personally, I would want my first IM race to be an acurate distance course.  I believe Outlaw is acurately measured, so would be happy with that one. But if BW is short, it would not interest me in the slightest, I would feel cheated.  For me,it`s not the branding, but the validity of the distance.  

Apologies...I'm going to be a pedant .

Accurately measured - to what level? a 22.6 mile run could still be accurately measured at 22.60 miles, or 22.600 miles. IMUK is well known to be short on the run. I'm sure it's still an accurate distance though.

It's all bolleaux as a 'properly' measured course (racing line) will likely not be raced as such, so you'll always add distance on, more so on the swim if you don't watch for the bouys...

none of the IM races are that accurate they all have variances.....to suit the location.......

To back up both Cat5 and seren, not all of the IM-branded races are exactly (or even near-as-damnit) 2.4-112-26.4 but "accurate" doesn't mean "not short". Some races are over-distance, Germany certainly had a 5k longer bike one year. The France bike loop is not 112 miles, but no-one complains by the time they've dragged themselves over the hills!

Wales had a short run this year (by a couple of miles), and some people were wondering if the swim was short too. But as Mouse says, the IronMan Corporation say you have within 10%, which is how France has a bike leg of 106miles and runs can "legally" be as "short" as 24 - I would cite Roth as an example, but I fear the wrath of one who was led to believe as such.

M..o.use wrote (see)

Pingu - yes, we discussed it at length with Cheerful Dave afterwards. 

I do prattle on after races, don't I?

Cheerful Dave - maybe a teensy bit but you did provide chips so all is forgiven. 

I did Germany the year it had the 185km bike leg.

Humph.

wales is where the cool kids will be................

M..o.use wrote (see)

I did Germany the year it had the 185km bike leg.

Humph.

AND no wetsuits !

Rocco. wrote (see)

So it would seem that even the "official" events all vary. I'll stop worrying about it all now then and get something booked to pop my IM cherry!

Absolutely, and just make sure you are comfortable with your decision. 

For what it's worth, TBW is a sod of a bike course.