After 12 Hectic Years IRONMAN CEO Steps Down

Good morning everyone,

Thanks for being here with us for another edition. We’re always grateful that you choose to spend a bit of your morning with us (or whenever you open our email). I hope you have a great weekend training, racing, or relaxing.

In today’s edition:

• 👨‍💼 IRONMAN CEO steps down after hectic tenure.

• 🔎 The U.K. race scene will look a lot different in 2024.

• 🏃 And can running damage your knees? Ehhhh maybe!

Thanks for being here.

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

Have a triathlete in your life who can't stop swimming, biking, or running? Fire this off to them. Forwarded from a friend? Sign-up for free. 

QUICK NEWS

⚓ Captain of captains: Reagan Quilty has been selected as the first team captain of the Naval Academy’s NCAA Women’s Triathlon team. This year will be their first as a full varsity program. [Navy Sports]

🎫 Roth sellout: Hoping to get a spot on the start line for Challenge Roth? Well, it might be a bit tough. The event sold out within 40 seconds of opening. [TRI 247]

🙄 Ryanair fail: Tom Kennedy’s bike box was left behind on not one but TWO flights before he raced in last week’s IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables D’Ollonne. After some serious help from his mom, he was able to get his bike the night before the race. [Road.cc]

🏁 Florival fixture: The eighth edition of the Elsassman Triathlon will kick off this weekend. Try-a-tri, para triathlon, and long course events will take over the beautiful Haut-Rhin department this Saturday and Sunday, July 8th and 9th. [L’Alsace]

🍻 Chug champions: Our new favourite triathlon, the Hermosa Beach Ironman (1-mile run, 1-mile paddle, chug a six-pack of beer), was won for the 17th time by Annie Seawright, and Tony Kostelak. The event raised USD $46,000 for charity. [Daily Breeze]

Do you want to reach almost 7,000 thoughtful and engaged triathletes? Respond to this email and we will get back to you ASAP.

ONE BIG THING

After 12 Years as IRONMAN CEO, Andrew Messick Retires

After 12 years at the helm of the IRONMAN group, CEO Andrew Messick will be retiring from his position. Messick oversaw an incredible period of growth for the brand as it grew into one of the largest endurance sports events companies in the world.

• Under Messick’s leadership, IRONMAN built an extensive portfolio of triathlon, running, trail running, road cycling, and mountain biking events.

• He also successfully guided the organization through the Covid-19 pandemic, which was especially brutal for mass participation events.

• He will remain on the Board of Directors after a new CEO is hired.

In the press release, Messick said, “I am proud of the organization we have built”, and “I am filled with gratitude for the support of my team members, our partners, and the athlete community over the past 12 years.”

Messick’s tenure at IRONMAN was filled with incredible growth, and periods of tumult: 

• He was slow to bring parity to the female professional field, as evidenced by the 50 Women to Kona movement.

• And most recently, dealth with criticism of course safety after the death of a motorcycle operator at IRONMAN Hamburg. 

Tempo’s take: 12 years is a significant rein, and history will probably look back on his tenure as generally positive, except for the unnecessary feet-dragging on the equal Kona start line…

No doubt the CEO search will be extensive, and the new hire will have to hit the ground running to help manage an organization with clear headwinds, including an uncertain global economy, changing consumer tastes, and the impact of AI…OK AI miiiight be a bit of a stretch.

Our suggestion, do something with gravel. Literally anything gravel!

TOGETHER WITH PILLAR PERFORMANCE

7:24!! Find out what Magnus Ditlev is doing differently in 2023?

The best performance begins with the best recovery! Leading into the 2023 season, Magnus Ditlev began placing a focus on his micronutrition to support his training and racing.

Magnus uses one scoop of PILLAR Performance TRIPLE MAGNESIUM Powder with about 8 oz of water, mix, and drink before bed.

If you want to improve your sleep performance and see why Magnus and Jan Frodeno use PILLAR head over to The Feed to try yours today.

OTHER NEWS

Shrinkflation Hits IRONMAN U.K. Events

What is it: As reported by TRI247, IRONMAN has announced changes that will shake up key British events for 2024.

• IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire will not be held in 2024.

• IRONMAN UK, held in Bolton, will become IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton in 2024.

Zoom out: In its press release, IRONMAN did not give specific reasons for the changes, but forces beyond its control may be at play.

• Britain is still dealing with stubbornly high inflation compared to other G7 nations.

• This contributes to significant cost of living issues that force people to pull back on discretionary spending (like triathlon events).

Tempo’s take: IRONMAN is reading the more-expensive-than-last-month tea leaves and making significant changes to its business in the U.K. As the Bank of England continues to raise interest rates to fight inflation, we are clearly seeing “shrinkflation” in IRONMAN’s race offerings to U.K. triathletes.

• As IRONMAN releases its 2024 calendar it will be interesting to see if the race consolidation is strictly regional or if there is a global restructuring?

Are you an expert and want to share your wisdom with thousands of engaged triathletes? Fill out this form and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

REEL TIME

With the Super League Triathlon Championship Series right around the corner it’s time to get fired up on crazy moments like this!

@superleaguetriathlon

On a scale of one to swimming in your trainers, how badly do you want to win?! 🏊‍♂️👟😂 #triathlon #superleaguetriathlon

FAVOURITES

🏃 Knee plea: As we get older, our bodies definitely let us know! But could our training actually be damaging us? This article talks about whether running creates long-term damage for our knees, and how we can mitigate the effects on our bodies. [The Guardian]

🔗 Test of time: 25 years is a long time for many relationships and especially for one between a coach and an athlete. So how did pro triathlete Brent McMahon and his coach, Lance Watson, work together for over 25 years? Mutual respect, and lots of listening! [Subaru Canada/YouTube]

🧐 Regulate yourself: Triathletes love their data, but sometimes it’s probably good to listen to the body. Autoregulation is a subjective measure of how you’re feeling during a workout. Some days your paces feel easy to hit, others, not so much. Check out this primer on autoregulation and learn how it can help you get the most from your training. [Inside Hook]

🚴 Bike bliss: New to the sport and wondering how to set up your bike? Here are a few great tips for setting up your bike as a beginner triathlete. We can definitely endorse the split nose bike saddle! [Taren’s Mottiv Method]

YOU SAID

On Tuesday, we asked readers, “Is the problem of drafting worth solving?”

• 75% Said you can’t stand people on your wheel!

• 25% Said seems like a lot of effort for a small problem.

Here’s what you thought:

“Draft packs make me crazy It’s an individual sport.”

“I get why competitive racers care but I’m only in this against myself.”

“For the pro/elite level, this is a great tech. As a coach, I train my athletes and educate them not to draft per the USAT 2023 updated rules…That being said, most IM courses have sections where NOT drafting is impossible. Also, I have never heard of nor seen an age group athlete get a drafting penalty.”

Thanks for your thoughts!

FRIDAY MEME

For the TTL fans here!

WEEKEND RACES

IRONMAN Switzerland

In the men’s-only field local hero Jan Van Berkel (SUI) will be lining up for one last time as this will be his final race as a professional. 

• Fellow countryman Andrea Salvisberg will be pushing the pace from the front.

• Other podium threats include Patrick Nilsson (SWE) and Maurice Clavel (GER). 

Check out the rest of the weekend races including the World Triathlon Montreal Para Triathlon Series event here.

TEMPO EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE

• Expert analysis: Nail your Ironman training nutrition.

• How Samantha Kingsford balances XTERRA and IRONMAN.

• Expert Analysis: Strength Training for an Ironman PB. 

LATEST EDITIONS

• Race Ranger eyes new investors, plus how long does your cycling fitness last?

• IRONMAN nails race cancellation PR, and are Ketones legit?

• How to tell what shoe is right for you? And a Challenge Roth recap.

   

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