Because I hadn't seen it anywhere, and because I thought it might be interesting to share, I've collated here the cost for me of participating in the 2011 Ironman France in Nice.
Spreadsheet of full Ironman costs
What might we learn?
A couple of things to bear in mind:
First, this is not meant to put you off from doing an Ironman. Finding out what you are capable of is a worthy activity and I have lost count of how many times during training - say, when out at 6am on a Saturday morning when cycling from London to Paris - when I said that this was totally worth it.
Second, if you're contemplating an Ironman it's very likely that you already have most of the necessary gear. For me, cycling was really relatively new for me. This was my first road bike, and this was in fact my first Triathlon. This said, the cost of almost any of the other bikes alone from participants at the event probably exceeded the total costs I paid. I did however, already own a wetsuit which otherwise rapidly pushes the cost of swimming up by a few hundred pounds.
Third, event costs will significantly vary. I think mine are on the cheap side, as, although we did have to fly to Nice we didn't pay for a hotel. I also intended to sign up for many more events before the actual thing which would have pushed costs up significantly.
Fourth, I was lucky enough to have parents who are supportive of such foolish ideas and significantly helped with bike cost and event registration.
Finally, sadly, I didn't finish as I came off my bike half way through the mountains of the cycle leg requiring stitches in my knee. I have rarely, if ever, been more disappointed in my life to have to stop doing something even if it was terrifically hard. But that doesn't mean that it wasn't worth it.
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Cycling | £1,236 |
| Event | £757 |
| Swimming | £210 |
| Food | £158 |
| Running | £57 |
| Total | £2,418 |
Spreadsheet of full Ironman costs
What might we learn?
- An Ironman is more expensive than you might expect. If you are serious about doing it, it is worth reflecting, if briefly, on the full likely outlay. But don't let it stop you if you really want to do it.
- Cycling is the most expensive sport, followed a long way behind, by swimming and then running. If you want to be thrifty just buy some shoes and run. Brilliant.
- The costs of Ironman number 2 are likely to be significantly less than number 1, although the event costs themselves are a substantial portion of the total outlay.
A couple of things to bear in mind:
First, this is not meant to put you off from doing an Ironman. Finding out what you are capable of is a worthy activity and I have lost count of how many times during training - say, when out at 6am on a Saturday morning when cycling from London to Paris - when I said that this was totally worth it.
Second, if you're contemplating an Ironman it's very likely that you already have most of the necessary gear. For me, cycling was really relatively new for me. This was my first road bike, and this was in fact my first Triathlon. This said, the cost of almost any of the other bikes alone from participants at the event probably exceeded the total costs I paid. I did however, already own a wetsuit which otherwise rapidly pushes the cost of swimming up by a few hundred pounds.
Third, event costs will significantly vary. I think mine are on the cheap side, as, although we did have to fly to Nice we didn't pay for a hotel. I also intended to sign up for many more events before the actual thing which would have pushed costs up significantly.
Fourth, I was lucky enough to have parents who are supportive of such foolish ideas and significantly helped with bike cost and event registration.
Finally, sadly, I didn't finish as I came off my bike half way through the mountains of the cycle leg requiring stitches in my knee. I have rarely, if ever, been more disappointed in my life to have to stop doing something even if it was terrifically hard. But that doesn't mean that it wasn't worth it.
Looking good
Ironman Nice swim mayhem
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