Having been involved in triathlon since the 1980s, I often find myself reflecting on how much the sport has changed over the years.
Back in the 1990s, and I believe into the early 2000s, competing in an Ironman in Australia was very different to what it is today.
You couldn't simply jump online, pay an entry fee and secure your spot on the start line.
You had to earn it.
The Phone Call That Meant Everything
For many of us, that meant travelling to Forster each year to race the Half Ironman and then waiting for a phone call offering us a place in the full Ironman.
That phone call meant something.
It was recognition that you had demonstrated the fitness, the experience and the commitment required to take on one of the toughest endurance events in the world.
There was a certain prestige attached to receiving that call and knowing you had earned your place among a field of prepared athletes.
The Shift Towards Accessibility
Fast forward to today and Ironman has become far more accessible. In many ways, that's a wonderful thing. More people than ever are participating, achieving goals they never thought possible and discovering the life-changing benefits of endurance sport.
That's something we should celebrate.
However, after witnessing Ironman Cairns this year, I couldn't help but ask myself a difficult question.
Should some form of qualification process be reintroduced?
This Isn't About Gatekeeping
Before anyone misinterprets that question — this isn't about taking anything away from those who race today. Every person who stands on an Ironman start line and every person who crosses the finish line deserves enormous respect.
But Ironman isn't just another sporting event.
It's a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a 42.2km marathon, often completed in difficult environmental conditions. It's a serious undertaking that demands preparation, experience and respect for the distance.
At Cairns, I saw athletes who perhaps underestimated the enormity of the challenge. Some appeared underprepared, some were struggling significantly early in the event and, at times, it raised concerns about both participant safety and whether we have made Ironman too accessible.
Finding the Middle Ground
Perhaps there is a middle ground.
Reintroducing some form of qualification process doesn't have to mean returning to an exclusive system that locks people out. Instead, it could ensure athletes have demonstrated a level of preparedness before stepping onto the start line.
This could include:
- ✅ Completing a recognised Ironman 70.3 event
- ✅ Finishing a qualifying long-course race
- ✅ Demonstrating previous endurance experience
- ✅ Completing an approved preparation program
After all, Ironman was never designed to be easy.
Part of its appeal was that it represented something that had to be earned.
Have We Prioritised Participation Over Preparation?
Today, perhaps we've shifted too far towards participation over preparation.
I'm not suggesting we return to the past completely, nor am I advocating for elitism.
But I do think it's a conversation worth having.
How do we preserve the challenge, prestige and safety of Ironman while still keeping the sport accessible to newcomers?
After almost 40 years in triathlon, it's a question I believe is worth asking.
What Do You Think?
Should Ironman reintroduce some form of qualification process, or should the sport remain open to anyone willing to take on the challenge?
I'd love to hear your thoughts — drop a comment below or reach out via the contact page.
— Des Trindall Brisbane, Australia