Triathletes Leave Slowing Economy in the Dust

From SignOnSanDiego.com, 12/12/08:

Concerned about the sagging U.S. economy, the NBA cut its staff 9 percent. Despite gas prices tumbling back to Earth, NASCAR teams are being pared.
Even the venerable NFL, which will charge a record $3 million for a 30-second Super Bowl commercial in 2009, announced this week it's reducing staff by more than 10 percent.

There is one sport, however, that's giving the recession a stiff-arm. From the beginner's sprint distance to the veteran's Ironman, triathlon is thriving.

Consider:

• USA Triathlon, the sport's national governing body, saw its membership increase 15 percent this year to 115,000.

•  The World Triathlon Corporation, which owns the Ironman brand, has jumped from 16 half-Ironman races in 2006 to 34 in 2008.

•  Locally, race director Rick Kozlowski, who puts on seven San Diego County races, says participation grew 10 percent this year.

•  While newspapers nationwide struggle with declining ad revenue and subscribers, Triathlete magazine's numbers are soaring, with circulation hitting 70,000, a 10 percent annual increase.

Read the full story.