# Chapter 9: Fans, Media & Money

Triathlon · Chapter 9: Fans, Media & Money · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/triathlon/interesting-facts/chapter-9-fans-media-money/)

The business and the audience: the first Kona purse, the people behind Slowtwitch and Competitor, Ford's title deal, the Voice of IRONMAN, the Kona bike count, charities, Kona's economy, the Emmy-winning broadcasts and the Pro Series money.

## 9.91 The First Prize Purse

Why Kona began paying its winners in 1986.

### Test 1: Kona's first purse

- Valerie Silk was running the race. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))
- It was the first professional prize money at Kona. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))
- Mark Allen says IRONMAN at first thought they were bluffing. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))
- Many professionals raced there instead. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))
- Most pros then raced elsewhere in 1985. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))
- His win showed IRONMAN how many top athletes were missing. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))
- The exposure did not make up for it. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))
- 1985, 1986 and 1989. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))
- $100,000, $375,000, $500,000 and $1.7 million. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))
- That is why the professionals pressed for a purse. (Source: Mark Allen, 'Why IRONMAN First Offered A Prize Purse' (markallensports.com); Slowtwitch, 'Valerie Silk, Matriarch of IRONMAN, Passes Away' (2025))

## 9.92 Media Pioneers

The founders of Slowtwitch and Competitor magazine.

### Test 1: Triathlon media pioneers

- He had founded the brand in 1987. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')
- He stayed about four years before leaving in 1999. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')
- He still writes for and publishes it, according to its About page. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')
- Web archives of the site go back to January 2000. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')
- It was a sister title of Triathlete. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')
- Its content was mainly local to Southern California. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')
- The magazine ended with its November/December 2017 issue. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')
- 1987, 1995, 1999 and 2012. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')
- 1980, 1987, 1999 and 2017. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')
- Babbitt is in both the IRONMAN and USA Triathlon halls of fame. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'About us'; Triathlete, 'Inside Triathlon's 10 most influential people for 2012'; The Streak Podcast, 'Competitor Magazine')

## 9.93 Title Sponsors

Ford's name on IRONMAN's North American races.

### Test 1: Ford and IRONMAN

- It was the company's first pan-North American title sponsorship. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))
- Timex's link went back to its 1980s Ironman watch. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))
- It covered the US series. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))
- SportsBusiness Journal valued it in the low seven figures a year. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))
- It was the first time in seven years. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))
- That is a few million dollars a year. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))
- He later created the 70.3 distance too. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))
- Before 2005, 2005, December 2009 and 2012. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))
- 2005, December 2009 and 2011. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))
- It paid in the low seven figures a year. (Source: Chief Marketer, 'Ford Finds Ideal Fit as Ironman Triathlons Title Sponsor'; Endurance Business (2009); SportsBusiness Journal (2012))

## 9.94 The Voice of IRONMAN

Mike Reilly and half a million finish-line calls.

### Test 1: Mike Reilly

- Thirty-three of them were world championships. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')
- It was in December 2022, to the last finisher, Ron Skelton. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')
- His career totalled 214 IRONMAN events. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')
- It was the same year he raced his first triathlon. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')
- It was also his last. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')
- Earlier bios had put the figure at over 350,000. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')
- Reilly officially hung up his microphone that night. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')
- 1979, IRONMAN New Zealand, then December 2022. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')
- 33, 214 and nearly 500,000. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')
- He first used a race microphone in 1979. (Source: Endurance Business, 'Voice of IRONMAN Mike Reilly hangs up mic at IRONMAN New Zealand' (2022); 220 Triathlon, 'The voice of IRONMAN: Mike Reilly')

## 9.95 The Kona Bike Count

What the age-groupers rode in 2026.

### Test 1: The Kona bike count

- Cervélo was second with 387. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)
- Trek was third with 311 bikes. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)
- Zipp came second with 379 sets. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)
- Shimano had 62.3% of drivetrains to SRAM's 37.6%. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)
- Assioma was second. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)
- It had about 23% of the bars counted. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)
- It counted 570 bikes in 2017. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)
- 509, 387 and 311 bikes. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)
- 449, 248, 245 and 128. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)
- Slowtwitch notes the count cannot be 100% accurate. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Canyon, DT Swiss, and Shimano Take Emphatic Wins in the 2026 Kona Bike Count'; Triathlon Magazine Canada)

## 9.96 Giving Back

The IRONMAN Foundation and its charity Kona places.

### Test 1: The IRONMAN Foundation

- Its total giving had passed $60 million by 2025. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))
- It gave $2.09 million in 2025 alone. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))
- In 2025 it shared $1.1 million across 52 North American race communities. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))
- They went to 52 race communities. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))
- Youth swim lessons and military initiatives are others. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))
- In 2015 four slots raised US$180,000. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))
- The money goes to the foundation's work in race communities. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))
- 52, about 1,100, $2.09 million and over $60 million. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))
- 2003, 2015 and 2025. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))
- Each started at US$10,000. (Source: IRONMAN Foundation, 2025 Impact Report (ironmanfoundation.org); Endurance Business (2015))

## 9.97 Kona's Economy

What the race brings to Kailua-Kona.

### Test 1: Kona's race economy

- The women's race was in Nice that year. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))
- Some arrive two weeks before race day. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))
- The chamber's president called it a multiplier. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))
- That counts revenue and sales revenue. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))
- The report did not name the source of the figure. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))
- Its farm-to-cup shop is on the race route. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))
- He said it draws visitors to the island all year. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))
- $10 million, $30 million and up to $50 million. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))
- Over 4, about 9, about 441 and about 2,400. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))
- Triathlete gave the figure using state data. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 'Ironman World Championship creates economic boost for Kailua-Kona' (2024); Big Island Video News (2019); Triathlete (2025))

## 9.98 IRONMAN on Television

An Emmy-winning special and the first live pro coverage.

### Test 1: IRONMAN on TV

- A 17th followed for the 2017 broadcast. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))
- It was the show's 16th Emmy. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))
- Six of its wins were for edited sports event coverage. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))
- It ran across several networks and digital platforms. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))
- It ran from 12:30 to 10 p.m. Eastern. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))
- It premiered on 9 December. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))
- NBC called it the most robust coverage of the event. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))
- 1980, 2012 and 2017. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))
- 17, 55 and 90. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))
- The special moved to NBC and became a stand-alone programme. (Source: NBC Sports Group, 2017 IRONMAN World Championship coverage release; Endurance Business, Sports Emmy reports (2012, 2018))

## 9.99 The CAF Story

How a fundraiser for one athlete became the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

### Test 1: The Challenged Athletes Foundation

- He went on to finish Kona in 10:42. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))
- He was an offensive lineman. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))
- He became quadriplegic after the crash at a triathlon in Mission Viejo. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))
- It was held at La Jolla Cove. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))
- Bob Babbitt, Jeffrey Essakow and Rick Kozlowski organised it. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))
- That led to the Challenged Athletes Foundation. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))
- CAF runs an adaptive surf clinic the morning after it. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))
- 1985, the late 1980s, 1993 and the fundraiser that followed. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))
- $25,000, $49,000, 3,256 grants and over 40,000 grants. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))
- Its grants reached athletes in all 50 states and 73 countries. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'Bob Babbitt, CAF, and Oceanside 70.3'; Trizone, 'Bob Babbitt to be honoured with the Jim MacLaren Award' (2018))

## 9.100 The Pro Series Money

Points, purses and a $1.7 million bonus pool.

### Test 1: The IRONMAN Pro Series

- It came on top of the race purses. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')
- The top ten took $1.3 million between them. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')
- Athletes ranked 11th to 50th shared $400,000. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')
- Other race purses stayed much as before. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')
- A 70.3 win gave 2,500. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')
- No more than three of them could be full IRONMAN races. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')
- It was IRONMAN's answer to the PTO's tour. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')
- $200,000, $400,000, $500,000 and $1.3 million. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')
- 3, 5, 10 and 50. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')
- Six full-distance races, nine 70.3s and the world championships. (Source: Slowtwitch, 'IRONMAN Creates Pro Series, $1.7 Million Bonus Pool' (2023); Triathlon Magazine Canada, 'IRONMAN takes on the PTO with new Pro Series')

Sources: Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: IRONMAN and the IRONMAN Foundation, NBC Sports, Mark Allen, Slowtwitch, Hawaii News Now, SportsBusiness Journal, Chief Marketer, Endurance Business, Triathlete, Triathlon Magazine Canada.

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