Des Moines Triathlon announces sponsorship group

Bill Burke took a significant step Thursday in his bid to help Des Moines maintain its status as an annual destination for elite triathletes.

Burke, one of the nation's top race directors, unveiled a list of 17 sponsors for the Des Moines Triathlon, which will be held Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 5 and 6.

"You can't move forward without it," Burke said. "It's a community event, and the community came around and rallied around, making it continue."

Organizers went into scramble mode when Hy-Vee announced in February it would no longer serve as a title sponsor, something the grocery chain had done since 2007.

Instead, other local companies such as the Principal Financial Group, Iowa Realty and Prairie Meadows will contribute.

Transamerica is the presenting sponsor. Hy-Vee is listed as the official post-event food sponsor.

"We are so proud this event is continuing in the city of Des Moines," Mayor Frank Cownie said. "There was some skepticism as to whether it was going to keep going ... but these large-scale events are huge to our city."

Cownie and Burke estimated that past triathlons had a $4½-million impact on the metro area, based on hotels, meals and transportation figures.

A top-level triathlon brings 2,500 to 2,700 participants, including world-class competitors.

At one point, the Hy-Vee triathlon offered an overall prize purse of more than $1 million — making it the richest race in the sport.

The 2015 Des Moines Triathlon will have a purse of $20,000 for the elites. That's a huge drop, but still ranks fourth among triathlons in the United States.

"My goal in year two or possibly year three is to give away $55,000," Burke said, which would again put Des Moines on top. "I'm not looking to give away $100,000 or $200,000.

"That's not necessary."

Burke's company, Premier Event Management, oversees other races such as the Escape From Alcatraz (in San Francisco) and the New York City Triathlon.

He wants Des Moines races to end downtown, near the Capitol. The weekend schedule will include an Iron Kids race Saturday morning.

"Triathlon tends to be a one-day event," Burke said, "but with the Saturday event, it really starts the weekend off great."

BREAKDOWN OF SPONSORS

Transamerica (presenting sponsor), Principal Financial Group (presenting sponsor, Iron Kids triathlon), Prairie Meadows (swim course), Hubbell Realty (bike course), Knapp Properties (run course), Employers Mutual (finish line), West Bank (prize money), Unity Point Health (medical), Iowa Realty (post event party), BMW of Des Moines (official automobile), Wellmark (expo sponsor), Iowa Clinic (Iron Kids medical), Slingshot Architecture (water station), A.J. Gallagher (transition area), Des Moines Marriott (official race headquarters), Hy-Vee (post event food), Dimond Bikes (official bike).