Triathlon has lots to offer – for those who can afford it

JUDGING by the responses and feedback on last week’s column, clearly we touched a nerve.

There is definitely a huge sense of unhappiness from many triathletes, ex-triathletes or would-be triathletes about the huge barriers to entry to our beloved sport.

As the saying goes, there are always two sides to the story, and maybe three.

First of all, I must put it out there that I am a middle-of-the-pack (OK, front of the middle pack) type of athlete who is unlikely to win his age group and therefore wants to at least look the part.

Perhaps it is an ego thing but I do want to look like a Pro if I can’t be that!

That means gear is important to me. Besides, all those savings from not drinking, smoking or eating out have to be spent somewhere.

Maybe triathlon is what it is – not a mass-participation sport and unlikely to be that in the near future, and that’s something we need to learn to live with.

Yes, it is not politically correct – especially for a country with our history where these dynamics get even more complicated because they show themselves in racial representation.

Those who make up 70% or more of the population only account for 10% or less of participants in major triathlon events.

This issue becomes a sore point when one considers how much government (tax/rate payers) contributes (cash or in kind) to hosting these very important and lucrative events.

Just the other day on a social media platform called Black Triathletes Association, a fellow posted about his achievement in having made the podium at one of the 70.3 US events.

I congratulated him for earning himself a place to race in Nelson Mandela Bay later this year. His comment was: “Great to see some diversity on the podium.”

I could go on about the representation issue but that is for another day.

All this proves is that South Africa is not alone in this struggle.

So then what does triathlon offer for the few who can scramble a few pennies together? The answer is, a lot.

Apart from getting you fit, fresh and healthy, triathlon racing can offer a fun way to see the world.

The many brands of triathlon such as Challenge, Ironman, Out Law, ITU, Super League and others have this in common: they host races in some of the most beautiful places in the world.

The destinations that host these races are magnificent tourist magnets and those that are not, soon become one.

No other sport is perfectly poised to sell a destination like triathlon does because of its swim, bike and run combination.

Race-hopping for those who can manage it is also a great opportunity to get away with the family and, for the most part, races usually have something to offer for the whole family.

I was fortunate to race in Bahrain in 2016, and there they had Iron Girl for my wife, Iron Kids for the little ones and a whole lot of family-friendly entertainment to suit everyone.

Same goes with the Challenge race in Germany – lots of team, kids and family events to choose from.

So, if you have the bucks, the time and the energy, then triathlon race hopping is your ticket to see the world, experience new cultures and make new memories.

That is what 4 000 triathletes from around the world will be doing here in the Bay in September, to race the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.