Williamsburg Ironman Proposal Update

All materials are copyright and the property of R.C. Tubbs and Associates

Ironman Bid Proposal Update

October 12, 2005 - Bob Tubbs, Owner, Cedars Bed & Breakfast <--- email link

Big News coming very soon. Start training!!! Yea.

September 12, 2004 - Bob Tubbs, Owner, Cedars Bed & Breakfast <--- email link

Clarification - I want to make sure that everyone realizes that these comments are my own and not representing the thoughts of Williamsburg, the World Triathlon Corporation or Ironman North America. I have not received any official word from Ironman North America or the World Triathlon Corporation. Discussions are continuing and we all hope to have the process completed very soon. Sorry about the confusion.

September 2, 2004 - Bob Tubbs, Owner, Cedars Bed & Breakfast <--- email link

Well folks, I believe it is finally going to happen. If I were a betting man, I'd give exceptional odds that we will have our first Ironman event in September, 2005 so start training. Our goal is to host two years of a 1/2 Ironman (2005 & 2006) which would then position us nicely to take over the current Florida full Ironman in 2007. This approach also helps us ease the community into what Ironmans are all about.

We had final approval from the Virginia Department of Transportation last month. The final challenge came when the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) was not sure if they or Ironman North America, who is a franchisee to the WTC, would manage and execute 1/2 Ironmans.

In a conversation two weeks ago with Ben Fertic, WTC President, he told me that the WTC has decided to do 1/2 Ironman and not Ironman North America. They are exceptionally excited about having Williamsburg as a venue. As it turns out, Ben lived and worked in the area and is very acquainted with the venue.

Their plan is to market 1/2 separate from full events and to hold the World 1/2 Ironman Championships in Berlin. This would be similar to Hawaii hosting the full Ironman Championships.

The next step for us is to cost justify 1/2 Ironmans (which we are in the process of doing now) and to schedule a meeting of the players hopefully sometime in the next two or three weeks. The slow down is that between last week's Canadian Ironman and the upcoming Wisconsin Ironman, everyone is traveling and very busy on the Ironman side.

Throughout this process, many of you have asked me about how you can help. Well, here is how. I have set up a discussion board at http://www.cedarsofwilliamsburg.com/board/. I'd really like to show how much support there is for this event in the community and area. Please share your thoughts. I'd love to share them with the Williamsburg community leaders, the WTC and Ironman North America.

I'd also like to know of anyone in the Williamsburg area who might like to schedule regular training with the goal to prepare for these upcoming Ironman events.

Thanks for your support. Bob

May 16, 2004 - Bob Tubbs, Owner, Cedars Bed & Breakfast <--- email link

Sorry for the long delay in communicating updates. My consulting business and the bed and breakfast has been keeping me on my toes. I am also heading up to the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York for two weeks later this week.

First, many changes are occurring at the World Triathlon Corporation and Ironman North America. Those respective organizations will be making their announcement soon enough.

We have decided to pursue a 1/2 Ironman and we have moved all transition areas to the Jamestown Beach, Jamestown Settlement and 4H area. The ride is solid and I'm still slightly tweaking the run route. If approved, the run will take participants from Jamestown Beach down to the William & Mary College and back via the Colonial Parkway. A 1/2 Ironman means we can have the event in the fall of 2005 versus 2006. I think you will all enjoy the course.

I invite you to voice your thoughts at a web forum I have created at www.cedarsofwilliamsburg.com/board/

Until next time.

March 11, 2004

We spent two full days with Ironman Race Director & Swim Specialist, Peewee Bramblett. The Jamestown Beach area satisfies Ironman's criteria for a swim venue. The challenge is the water temperature. Their research suggest that the water averages only 60 degrees which would cause hypothermia for the less experienced swimmers. The Country Road is also a challenge in that trying to get emergency care to someone on that road would be very difficult.

For these reasons, a 2005 event is not likely. Given Ironman's timeline and planned events, we are now talking about a Fall, 2006 venue. We are in discussions with the community members to ascertain what impact this has to the contributing community facilities. I will be working to identify run alternatives and hope to be back with Ironman within the next three to four weeks.

By the way, I've setup a site with photos and videos from last year's Lake Placid event!

Keep the faith!

February 15, 2004 - Bob Tubbs, Owner, Cedars Bed & Breakfast <--- email link

Thanks to the College of William & Mary, the Williamsburg Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Williamsburg Hotel/Motel Association and the cooperation between many organizations, municipalities and individuals, Ironman Williamsburg is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The course has been modified to have the bike to run transition and finish at William & Mary's Zabel Football Stadium. We have also modified the bike route to include more of the Colonial Parkway.

Ironman North America is scheduled to return to Williamsburg on March 1-2 to finalize the route modifications and begin contract discussions. Graham Fraser and his senior team will be meeting with local officials during their stay to finalize plans and begin contract negotiations.

If your interested in seeing the impact to Coeur d'Alene, following this link to their newspaper.

Ironman4charity.com - a site to raise money for local charities. Plan to use it for the Williamsburg Ironman.