SOS Ironman Frankfurt - An initiative by the athletes

Petition richtet sich an: Ironman Germany

Together, we’ve already compiled a few points of criticism. This isn’t about the shortened course—that’s a matter of debate. Rather, it’s about the organization of the race. That said, many things went well. The aid stations, the adjustments made for the heat, and the volunteers were great. Nevertheless, there were a few points of criticism:

•  Buses took forever to get to the Langener Waldsee and T1, and there were simply too few buses, which also ran too infrequently.
•  Buses dropped athletes off at the wrong locations, forcing them to walk an unnecessarily long distance to the start.
•  There were too many athletes and spectators for the few buses available, which led to stress, especially during check-in and on race day.
•  The buses were overcrowded, there was no air conditioning, and as a result, check-in often took 4–5 hours.
•  The buses frequently got lost because the drivers didn’t know where they were supposed to go—unnecessarily prolonging the travel time.
•  Traffic chaos at Langener Waldsee: buses and other vehicles blocked each other’s access.
•  The return trip from the bike check-in was perceived as very tedious and poorly organized.
•  Confusion due to conflicting information in the Athlete Guide—specifically regarding the drop-off location for transition bags. At first, it was said that T2 bags could be dropped off in T1, but then it turned out they had to be dropped off in T2 after all.
•  If necessary, provide more restrooms to accommodate the number of athletes, so that everyone can make it to the start line without stress.
•  The bike racks were overcrowded and caused space issues.
•  Post-race: Bike check-out was a disaster: There were only two lines with significant wait times of up to 45 minutes; bottlenecks and waiting in the heat.
•  The course shortening needs to be communicated to athletes more effectively and promptly.
•  Regarding the heat: Not enough shaded areas, especially in the check-in zone, and waiting times were too long in the blazing sun.
•  Communication: Athletes didn’t know when or where to drop off their bags after T2. Clear announcements are needed.
•  Clear the finish area behind the finish arch as quickly as possible to ensure every athlete has a smooth finish.
•  The post-race area: Does not meet the standards expected for a race of this magnitude. More effort could be made here to provide more food and drinks. It has also been observed that the quality of the post-race area declines every year.

Suggestions for Improvement 

Transportation and Shuttle Plan
•  Increase shuttle capacity and adjust it to the actual number of athletes and spectators.
•  Increase bus frequency, especially during peak times (check-in, race day, bike check-out).
•  Explore separate shuttle plans for athletes and spectators to avoid overcrowding.
•  Provide bus drivers with more thorough briefings in advance and equip them with detailed route maps to prevent drivers from taking the wrong routes.
Check-In Processes
•  Stagger check-in time slots more effectively and make them more binding to avoid peak congestion. (Check-in slots?)
•  Better organize waiting areas and equip them with sufficient shaded seating and water stations.
•  Plan bus capacity to avoid long wait times on site.
Communication
•  Completely revise the Athlete Guide and establish it as the official source of information.
•  Check all information for consistency in advance and communicate changes centrally.
•  Communicate changes to the race schedule (e.g., course shortenings) to athletes much more quickly and transparently.
After the Race
•  Restructure the bike check-out process and set up sufficient pickup stations.
•  Deploy more staff and better organize waitlines to avoid bottlenecks
•  Guide athletes out of the finish area more quickly and efficiently after the race without detracting from the finish experience.
•  Plan the finish area so that every athlete has sufficient time and space for a dignified finish.
After-Race Area
•  Significantly improve the variety and quality of food and beverages.
•  Ensure there is enough food and drink for all finishers.
•  Treat the After-Race Area as an important part of the overall experience and design it accordingly.
Heat Management
•  Create more shaded areas, especially in heavily frequented locations.
•  Provide additional water stations.
•  Reduce wait times through improved processes.
•  Hold the race briefing indoors or conduct it online.
Other
•  Adjust the number of restrooms to match the number of participants and peak times.
•  Check bike rack capacity and ensure sufficient space for all athletes.