digital anthropology: triathletes over 40 in austin texas

Triathletes in Austin

Started broad- What is a triathlon

Looked at general triathlon websites and forums

Did searches on general triathlon websites to see discussions around Austin

Looked at location specific events

Found influencers and followed them around the internet

What We Did

TriathlonsTriathlon races vary in distance. According to the International Triathlon Union, and USA Triathlon, the main international race distances are Sprint distance (750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run), Intermediate (or Standard) distance, commonly referred to as "Olympic distance" (1.5 km swim, 40 km ride, 10 km run), the Long Course (1.9 km swim, 90 km ride, 21.1 km run, such as the Half Ironman), and Ultra Distance (3.8 km swim, 180 km ride, and a marathon: 42.2 km run); the most recognized branded Ultra Distance is the Ironman triathlon.

Racers are generally categorized into separate professional and amateur categories. Amateurs, who make up the large majority of triathletes, are often referred to as "age groupers" since they are typically further classified by sex and age; which offers the opportunity to compete against others of one's own gender and age group. The age groups are defined in five or ten year intervals.

Event Based

Equipment Based

Group Training Based

Triathlons- Austin

Event Based

Event Based

Events as benchmarks

Ironman as a bragging right

Ironman as a national link-upExcuse to travel

Equipment Based

Equipment Based

Heat intense Austin

Personalized care about products

Multiple sports with multiple demands

Group Based Training

Group Based Training

Group Based Training

Group Based Training

Pre-event meet-ups

Advice, Tips and Guidance about nutrition and routes

Way to learn about new events

Gateway to the community

Group Based Training

The 40+ communityOver 40 is the  fastest growing segment of the sport.

The over 40 crowd knows the race won’t be handed to them on a silver platter, it’s going to require a solid commitment and hard work.

They know how to use both wisdom and rebellion. Wisdom allow them to factor their age into their personal training plan. The rebellion part comes when they “get to stand on the beach at the start of the swim and glance over at a  20-something dude and say to themselves, “Bring it on!”.”

They know the importance of finding one or two others over 40 to take the triathlon challenge with. They encourage each other, hold one another accountable, and train together. They set their sight on a specific triathlon, and work towards it together.

Brad Askins- Our Rabbit

Lives in Austin, TX

Works for Google

Involved in Twitter, the blogosphere, and forums

Brad &

Where Brad Took Us

A Family Affair

Brand suggestions

Family-centric approach

Respect for local shops Influencers like Brad

Creating brand community through group training