Chasing the Big Pro Prize Purse
The prize money offered to professional triathletes is relatively sad, but there are a few positive exceptions ranging from the Abu Dhabi Triathlon to the newer MetaMan Bintan race. We took a closer look at races that are offering at least a purse of $100,000 but we do not list events that either require a special invitation/qualification as the Hy-Vee Triathlon or the Ironman World Championships in Kona. Some of the events will be familiar, while others are lesser known.
Abu Dhabi International Triathlon
The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon is the event that has recently raised the bar in terms of prize money. With a total purse of $230,000 it is currently the richest*, plus many Pros get their flights, lodging and meals handled by the race organization. That means they don't start the event already in debt, but the race in the United Arab Emirates typically attracts a very tough Pro field hungry for the big purse, and appreciative of the shorter run at the end. Plus the location is quite stunning. Ten places deep with winners going home with $50,000.
Distance: 3km swim / 200 km bike / 21.1 km run
Date: March 2, 2013
Prize purse: $230,000
2012 champions: Rasmus Henning (DEN), Nikki Butterfield (AUS)
Website: abudhabitriathlon.com
Ironman Melbourne
With many Pros trying to collect big KPR points and validating their Kona entry early, the Urban Hotels Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship race in Melbourne has quickly proven to attract very good fields. Getting a slice of the $125,000 pie is not easy, but KPR points run deep and the validation is worth more than a check to some.
Distance: 3.8km swim / 180 km bike / 42.2 km run
Date: March 24, 2013
Prize purse: $125,000
2012 champions: Craig Alexander (AUS), Caroline Steffen (SUI)
Website: ironmanmelbourne.com
Koh Samui Triathlon
The Koh Samui Triathlon is in its second year and is run by Gerald Iacono, the man behind the infamous Embrunman Triathlon in France. Ko Samui is the third largest island of Thailand and with a purse of over $130,000 this event ought to be on the radar of more Pros. In addition to good money it offers a truly beautiful venue, very friendly people and plenty of heat and humidity. Those who have discovered the event already are most likely hoping though that the word is not spreading too fast. Ten places deep with top male getting $26,823 and top female receiving $16,764.
Distance: 4km swim / 122km bike / 30km run
Date: April 21, 2013
Prize purse: $77,104 (men) $53,589 (women) $3,349 (master)
2012 champions: David Dellow (AUS), Caroline Steffen (SUI)
Website: triathlonsamui.com
Rev3 Quassy
The Rev3 Quassy Triathlon in Middlebury, CT is the only half distance event on this list, and that makes the $100,000 purse even sweeter. The winnings are paid quite swiftly in the Rev3 series and there is plenty to do for the family at the Quassy Amusement Park. Be careful though, you might fall in the love with the series and want to do the Rev3 events with smaller purses too. Ten places deep with $13,000 for first place.
Distance: 1.9km swim / 90 km bike / 21.1 km run
Date: June 2, 2013
Prize purse: $100,000
2012 champions: Richie Cunningham (AUS), Mirinda Carfrae (AUS)
Website: rev3tri.com/quassy
Ironman Frankfurt
The Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman European Championships in Frankfurt, Germany is well established and offers the biggest passionate crowds in addition to the $125,000 purse and the Kona Points. This race is a point to point event and runs like a well oiled machine.
Distance: 3.8km swim / 180 km bike / 42.2 km run
Date: July 7, 2013
Prize purse: $125,000
2012 champions: Marino Vanhoenacker (BEL), Caroline Steffen (SUI)
Website: ironmanfrankfurt.com
Embrunman Triathlon
The Embrunman Triathlon is likely the toughest event on this list and despite the very fine prize purse it tends to not attract a field of heavy hitters. In addition to the late summer timing of this race, the site is not so easy to navigate for a non French speaking person, and we actually had a hard time finding the prize purse information on that website. But if you want a hard race with good money, this is your ticket. Six places deep with first male receiving $28,978 and top female earning $19,758.
Distance: 3.8km swim / 180 km bike / 42.2 km run
Date: August 15, 2013
Prize purse: $76,479 (men) $49,436 (women) $5,933 (clubs)
2012 champions: Marcel Zamora (ESP), Jeanne Collonge (FRA)
Website: embrunman.com
Ironman Mont Tremblant
Ironman Mont Tremblant is the 2013 North American Ironman Championship event and it is also a fairly new race. This second year event inherited the championship status from Ironman NYC and we would suspect that age groupers are not very likely to finish in the top 5 as they did in the inaugural 2012 edition. Big KPR points are also on the line here in addition to a nice pay check and thus a chance for some athletes to move on up into a qualifying slot.
Distance: 3.8km swim / 180 km bike / 42.2 km run
Date: August 18, 2013
Prize purse: $125,000
2012 champions: Romain Guillaume (FRA), Jessie Donavan (USA)
Website: ironmanmontremblant.com
MetaMan Bintan
MetaMan Bintan is a brand new race that offers big money and they also support some Pros with lodging, flights and meals. Bintan Island is part of Indonesia and has a tropical climate with temps expected to be around 26 °C (79 °F). What kind of field might show up there is tough to tell, but for those Pros who do – they can expect a beautiful race location and a unique experience and hope for a fat wallet on the flight home. Six places deep with $40,000 for first place.
Distance: 3.8km swim / 180 km bike / 42.2 km run
Date: August 31, 2013
Prize purse: $142,000 (Full) $12,000 (Half)
2012 champions: Brett Carter (AUS), Candice Hammond (NZL)
Website: metamanbintan.com
* richest because special qualification events like Kona are not listed here.
