PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I wrote this on Friday for our TriBiz Reader (also appearing in today's Weekly TriBiz Reader edition). It concerns the Nice distance, which is 4k swimming, 125k cycling, and 30k running. We received dozens of letters about this OpEd, which so far have run 4- or 5-to-1 in favor. In favor of what, though? I probably should not have written the word "series" but should instead have chosen the word "standard." It's not that I think the races I'm writing about below should necessarily be linked, but should consider championing a new distance which seems to be missing from our sport. With that preface, here is what I wrote...

There are an awful lot of Ironman-distance races nowadays, and only half of them are licensed by the World Triathlon Corporation. I think there's an opportunity that is being missed. But before I float my idea, I'd like to do the accounting.

There are 16 licensed Ironman races, including five in North America and the same number in Europe. Every substantial grouping of triathletes worldwide has (or is attempting to have) a WTC race in its proximity, and if and when the WTC sees an opportunity to expand its series to fill the demand it has shown a willingness to do so.

There are approximately the same number of unlicensed Ironman-distance races. In the U.S. the list includes Pineman, Vineman, Ultramax, 5430, The Great Floridian and Cascade Lakes in Bend. In Europe there's Almere, Roth, Embrun, and the new race in Portugal. (This is the short list). Perhaps WTC is bothered by what it might deem inauthentic Ironman races. In actuality, every time I see a new race like this I immediately imagine that this race may never be vested with all the meaning that a WTC Ironman carries, if only by virtue of its connection to the world championships in Kona. It seems that only well-established, longtime (and formerly licensed) races like Roth are able to prosper without a WTC association. (Canada could likely fit into this category were it to someday go it alone.)

I've traveled the world competing in and/or spectating at (well, OK, carrying my wife's luggage for) various races around the world, and danged if my favorite trip wasn't always the Nice Triathlon. I'm sure the fact that it took place on the French Riviera had something to do with it. But I also always liked the distance. You could race it, not simply survive it. It wouldn't slay you for months before and after, like an Ironman does, but it was certainly a worthy challenge.

Nice always stood apart. It ebbed and flowed as a commercial success, but it was never subservient to, or a qualifier for, Kona. Sprint athletes like Ric Wells, Mike Pigg and Kirsten Hansen could excel at this distance. It was the perfect meeting ground for sprint and ultra athletes. Perhaps you can see where I'm going.

WTC does an excellent job with its franchise, and in the Microsoft spirit it will always--and successfully--compete with any IM-distance race in any fruitful market. I wonder what would happen if these non-licensed races all banded together and announced they were going to the Nice distance, or some other agreed upon "Nice-like" distance? There would instantly be a robust series of races giving a new distance an instant shot in the arm. These races would not be a "copy" or "unauthorized" or "lesser" or subservient to any other race. Furthermore, this is a distance and an effort that would, I suspect, be welcomed by the ITU for its long-course championships.

I write all this because I think it's best for all elements of the sport. It's better for WTC, because it ought to be left alone to improve its franchise. It's best for the RDs, who deserve and need to attract bigger fields and better sponsors. It's best for governing bodies, who've never really gotten their arms around how to select championships in the long-course arena. It's better for long-course pro athletes, who'll now have many options that are shorter than full IM-distance. And it's better for the rest of us, who want to engage in the longer challenge but perhaps don't (for whatever reason) feel like going a full Ironman distance.

In other words, it's the next logical step in the maturing of our fine (and still young) sport.