Dave Blank of realracine tries on a 2X jersey -- and finds it snug
The Ironman Racine 70.3 opened up shop Friday, as 2,000 athletes began arriving in town, collecting their all-important race chip and looking over the course.
Dave Blank of realracine, the county's tourism bureau responsible for bringing the triathlon to Racine when it was called the Spirit of Racine, looked around Friday afternoon at the competitors' expo -- i.e., supply store for competitors full of Ironman-logo shirts and cups and mousepads -- and pronounced himself pleased. In addition to the more than $1.25 million he estimates competitors and their families will spend just on food and lodging this weekend, Blank guesses that the expo will sell some $250,000 worth of supplies and tourist stuff.
He especially recommends shirts with the word "Racine" on them. Even if the 2X seems a little tight...
Quick facts here. Kiosk story here.
Ironman competitor checks in with his race chip
This could get interesting: Ryan Richards, Ironman race director, with Craig Bender, co-chairman of Salmon-a-Rama: What kind of combined event could they dream up?
