The new Ironman 70.3 Versailles sold out in less than an hour yesterday, just one week after it was officially announced. While that milestone underlines the continued global demand for middle-distance racing under the Ironman banner, the rapid sell-out has been overshadowed by widespread frustration over the registration process.
Ironman events have long been known to fill quickly, but in 2026 the pace of sell-outs has accelerated dramatically across the calendar. Versailles proved no exception. Within 60 minutes, all available entries were gone.
However, for many athletes, the disappointment was not simply about missing out on a coveted start slot. Instead, the anger centers on what participants describe as a malfunctioning registration system that left them without a fair opportunity to enter.
Across social media, athletes reported being removed from the registration portal mid-process, struggling to access the system at all, or encountering technical glitches during checkout. Some claimed they were ejected after waiting in virtual queues, while others said the listed entry fee unexpectedly increased by dozens of euros during the final stages of registration.
Screenshots of error messages and incomplete payment confirmations quickly circulated online, fueling criticism and raising questions about the platform’s capacity to handle peak demand.
For Ironman, the immediate sell-out of a brand-new European 70.3 event highlights the brand’s enduring appeal and the strength of the triathlon market. But the backlash also underscores a growing concern among age-group athletes: when races sell out in minutes, the integrity and reliability of the registration system become just as important as the race itself.
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