Ironed Out: N.Y. Triathlon Shut Down Over Rights Dispute
Triathlon organizer Christophe Vandaele cancelled an “underground” triathlon scheduled
for Saturday in N.Y. after the World Triathlon Corp. (WTC), which owns the Ironman
name, “took action against Vandaele for using ‘Iron’ in the description of his
event, calling it a race, and planning to offer trophies and T-shirts with the
Ironman logo,” according to Abby Ellin of the N.Y. TIMES. The race, which Vandaele
promoted “online and among triathletes,” was to start at a lake north of N.Y.
and finish in Times Square, but he “had no permits and had not told government
officials of his plans.” WTC attorney Frank Jakes on Wednesday sent Vandaele a
cease-and-desist order “demanding that he not use ‘Iron race’ or ‘Iron-distance’
in his materials.” The order also demanded that Vandaele “not hold the event or
talk with members of the news media about the situation, and threatened to bar
him from competing in triathlons staged by the [WTC].” Jakes said, “There’s no
question that they were trying to associate their event with the Ironman good
will. Anybody can run and swim and bike any distance they want, but they cannot
associate their race with our races, good will and brand. Just like you can have
a 500-mile auto race, but you can’t call it the Indy 500.” Endurance athlete coach
Joe Friel said, “The name has a lot of value associated with it. If they don’t
protect it, it loses its value.” Ellin notes there are 40 Iron-branded races worldwide
(N.Y.
TIMES, 8/11).
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