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Ironman Executive Challenge

Posted on by TJ Alcock

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Courtesy of Ironman.com

The 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run is by no means an easy feat to overcome, in fact, many people would say that an Ironman is downright challenging. The race it’s self is tough enough, however the travel, the lines, and the anxieties of pre race day are all things that every IRONMAN and Ironman spouse/child has to endure. Until now. World Trade Corporation, the parent company of the Ironman race series, was concerned that these non-race related issues (I.E. the pre-race inconveniences and race day worries) would prevent high level executives from participating in an Ironman. In 2008 WTC announced that they would open up an Executive Challenge (or XC) for the 2009 season. The Ironman XC encourages high level executives to participate in an Ironman race, and will, for a $4,900 to $10,000 price tag, receive certain perks to make the whole situation that much more comfortable.

As listed on the Ironman Executive Challenge website, the perks each participant will receive in 2013 include:

  • “The opportunity to compete for a slot to the IRONMAN World Championship or the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship
  • Guaranteed entry to select IRONMAN events
  • First-class accommodations
  • VIP passes for race day to include escorts for attending family members and VIP seating at banquet functions
  • IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 training programs
  • Multiple functions/events throughout race weekend with the XC Group, IRONMAN Professionals and IRONMAN Icons
  • XC staffers on-site to assist with all logistics
  • Personalized registration, packet pick-up and bike check-in
  • Bike transportation options to and from race site
  • IRONMAN XC apparel” *

(Which could also include Slik, Slather, Dust, and Screen hand delivered at every transition station)

*Originally from: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/organizations/ironman-xc/benefits/benefits-overview.aspx#ixzz2Ox0liGvm

According to an article published by Bloomberg Businessweek in December 2012, Troy Ford, the Director of the Ironman XC, will be on location to give each athlete his own personal touch. This includes entertaining participants children and hand delivering a birthday cake. From start to finish, a participant in the Ironman XC will have everything taken care of, accept for the race its self.

http://www.ironman.com/triathlon-news/articles/2012/08/skin-strong-standouts-for-training-and-racing.aspx#axzz2Os2r34ud only perk that the XC does not offer, is race assistance, and let’s face it, that would defeat the purpose.

By the end of the race, those who cross the finish line are all Ironmen and Ironwomen. No matter how a participant enters into an Ironman race, it takes an enormous amount of strength to cross that finish line. All of the participants, whether they cross the finish line or not, are incredibly strong individuals. However, the pre-race worries can sometimes take the focus away from the race its self, and those who participate in the XC program get to enjoy the experience with a few less worries than the rest of us.

 

 

Check out the review of Skin Strong Products on Ironman.com

TJ Alcock