Many people Google the question, “How Much Does It Cost To do an Ironman?”. However, answers often only cover the registration fee and maybe some basic gear expenses. This article provides a detailed and accurate breakdown of the full cost of completing your first Ironman, from registration to training, equipment, and travel.
Our Basic Assumptions and Sources
This cost breakdown is based on the typical experience of an athlete who signs up for a full Ironman 10-12 months in advance and has experience with sprint/Olympic distance triathlons, or plans to do one in their build-up. This means a relatively new triathlete looking to complete their first Ironman. Therefore, we assume they will need to purchase most of the necessary gear.
We used the most recent costs (registration & fees) or numbers pulled from the most recent USA Triathlon State of the Sport survey (which included average prices paid for coaching & certain gear) or from industry averages for the U.S. In all cases, we erred on the lower end of the industry range to give a minimum possible cost to do an Ironman from scratch.
Some categories also include additional optional costs that aren’t strictly required but that athletes are likely to incur. This gives us a total range for the cost of an Ironman for a new athlete. Note that this doesn’t factor in costs for those looking to qualify for World Champs or become professional age-groupers. This isn’t the upper limit of what one could spend on triathlon.
Registration for Ironman
- Registration: $875
- Active processing fee: $80.94
- USAT one-day license: $23
SUB-TOTAL: $978.94
Travel to/from Race
Assumption: a new Ironman athlete would typically pick a race they can drive to from their house. However, that’s not always the case, and there also can be real increases in lodging prices around events. We’re also assuming they’d travel with at least one other person, as the average is four additional people per athlete.
- Hotel for 3 nights minimum: $171/night average in US + tax (9%) $46.71 = $559.71 (Sunday race — check-in by Friday, gear drop Saturday, awards Monday)
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL COSTS
- My actual Airbnb costs for Lake Placid 5 nights (because of travel) w/ fees + tax: $1,181 —> difference from min. = $621.29
- Flight: 2x $500 = $1,000
- Rental car: $93/day (U.S. average) + tax = $412
- Bike transportation (borrowing a bike box) @ min. bike fee 2x $75 = $150
SUB-TOTAL: $559.71
(WITH OPTIONAL ADD-ONS: **$2,743**)
Gear & Equipment
Assumption: a person who wants to do an Ironman would need to buy the minimum amount of “starting from scratch” gear — including a bike & wetsuit, cycling clothes, bike fundamentals — but would likely own some existing running clothes, nutrition; average prices are taken from the Endurance Exchange State of the Sport survey assuming a “newbie” TT bike level — other prices are approximate from the lower-end/minimum of industry averages.
- Bike: $2,693
- Assume it comes standard with wheels, tires, and all components
- Helmet: $120
- Cycling shoes: $150
- Pedals: $65
- At least one cycling kit: $130
- Bike pump: $40
- Saddle bag & flat kit: $45
- Wetsuit: $310
- Swimsuit: $55
- Goggles: 2x pairs/6 months = $50
- Watch/wearable (82% of triathletes own one according to State of Sport survey, average price): $446
- Running shoes: minimum 2x pairs/6 months = $200
- Tri suit: $220
- Race belt (or some way to carry stuff in race): $15
- Hydration/water bottle set-up on bike: $55
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL COSTS
- Bike computer: $230
- Cycling sunglasses: $60
- Race running shoes: $240
- Additional tires & tubes: $160
SUB-TOTAL: $4,594
(WITH OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ADD-ONS: **$5,284**)
Training
Assumption: a new Ironman athlete would need some kind of training plan or guidance, average coach fee from State of Sport survey.
- Coach: $203/month for 6 months = $1218
- Gym membership (with a pool): $125/month for 6 months = $750
- Bike maintenance: 2x tune-up price @ my local bike shop = $240
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL COSTS
- Bike fit at a shop: $150
- Personal trainer/strength training: $60/session = $180
- Masters or swim coaching: 12-punch card = $180
- Physical therapy and/or massage: $90/session = $360
SUB-TOTAL: $2,208
(WITH OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ADD-ONS: **$3,078**)
The Bottom Line: Calculating the Real Cost
There’s no limit to how much you can spend on gear, travel, or extras. However, these approximations are fair for what is absolutely required. There is no way to do an Ironman without the minimums listed. (You will need two pairs of running shoes, you will need pedals and a bike pump.) The additional optional add-ons are also very likely expenses for a new Ironman athlete: physical therapy, bike fit, swim coaching or Masters groups, additional hotel nights. These aren’t the highest-end options.
This calculation doesn’t even include additional food costs, paid time off or vacation days, decreases in productivity, additional doctor visits or medical costs, etc.
It still brings us to a significantly higher total than most people would initially assume. Some of these costs (especially gear) are one-time expenses you won’t have to re-purchase for multiple years — though there is depreciation on gear. A few of the costs listed here also might be spent whether or not a new athlete did an Ironman — like a gym membership or running shoes — but this is a fair assessment of what costs are minimally necessary.
TOTAL: $8,340.65
(with additional possible extra costs: $12,083.94)
Therefore, when budgeting how much does it cost to do an Ironman, be prepared to invest a significant amount of money to achieve your goal.
