Wednesday, December 26, 2012

2013 IRONMAN races available with...Endurance Sports Travel

We are offering over 25 races to you in 2013. If you are interested in registering for an IRONMAN with Endurance Sports Travel now is the time!

70.3 Pucon (entry available) -
70.3 Panama -
New Zealand (entry available) -
70.3 San Juan -
Los Cabos (entry available) -
Asia Pacific Championship - Melbourne Australia (entry available) -
70.3 California (entry available) -
South Africa -
70.3 St Croix -
Texas (entry available) -
Brazil -
70.3 Hawaii -
Austria (entry available) -
Germany (entry available) -
Lake Placid (entry available) -
Switzerland -
Mont Tremblant (entry available) -
Canada – Whistler (entry available) -
Wisconsin (entry available) -
70.3 World Championship - Vegas -
World Championship - Hawaii -
70.3 Miami -
Florida -
Arizona -
Cozumel (entry available) -
Western Australia (entry available) -

Questions? Email us for more information: kenglah@endurancesportstravel.com

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

EST's Ken Glah to Kona 29 Consecutive Years

This year, Endurance Sports Travel founder and 6-time IRONMAN® champion Ken Glah will attend his 29th consecutive IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. An amazing feat that extremely few athletes have achieved since the start of IRONMAN racing in 1978, Ken’s accomplishment is one that speaks to his top-level talent and extreme perseverance. The unrelenting black lava coast of Kona often provides 45 mph crosswinds and scorching 95 degree heat as the backdrop for the drama found in the World Championships. But, those brutal conditions have not stopped Ken from toeing the start line 28 times previously with the thought each time of being the first athlete to finish on Ali’I Drive.

In celebration of Ken’s 29 consecutive years of racing in Kona, help us celebrate and enjoy reading part two of the interview with Ken. And, follow Ken on twitter (@ken_glah) as he makes his way around the world for the World Championships in Kona.

We were lucky enough to sit down with Ken to talk about this achievement:

How does it feel to qualify for the World Championships in Kona for the 29th consecutive time?

Ken: I feel very fortunate to have qualified for Hawaii this year so that I can try for my 29th consecutive finish. I was in moderate shape going into the race in New Zealand and did not race well until later in the run. I actually missed the slot by a place but after one of the older men did not take his slot (Garth Barfoot, a many time EST client from NZ) the math was redone and my age group was next in line for another slot. So, I literally got the last slot in the race!

How have you dealt with injury throughout the years?

I have rarely had to deal with injury in my career mostly because I listen well to my body and for most of the time I have been in the sport I have gotten a lot of massage work done. With the demands of the business and the constant travel my training has not been consistent and I have not taken care to get the massage work my body needs so I did sustain an injury this spring and have run and cycled only a hand full of times from late April till mid-June. I have been a bit more consistent with my running but with more than 3 weeks in Europe at 3 different Ironman races there was little time for cycling. I feel the injury is mostly healed and my goal is to try to be more consistent with my training and to get some massage, stretch more and strengthen some weaknesses that were discovered in physical therapy.

What will preparation prior to Kona in 2012 look like for you?

I won’t be able to prepare very well for Kona again so my goal is just to get some consistent shorter rides, run and swims in from now through September when I am traveling and to have a week here and there where I can ramp it up a bit. I plan to go straight to Kona after the trip to the Beijing International Triathlon (a new concierge race that will be held on September 16th as a qualifier for Escape from Alcatraz). This should allow me to get in about 12 days of training before I taper.

Explain the importance of finishing #29.

The only real importance to finishing number 29 is completely personal. I won’t be in shape to challenge for the top 5 in my age group but I would like to be fit enough that if I have a good day I will finish without any major issues and maybe be in the top 10 or 15. Finishing number 29 would be nice as it will then make finishing 30 consecutive Ironman World Championships a goal for 2013 and with me being in a new age group maybe I can find the time to get fit enough to really race hard in 2013.

How do you manage EST and dealing with the demands of racing Kona?

The main problem is the travel. I can get in a bit of training when I am home but this year it looks like I will be on the road about 225 days and that is where I have trouble being consistent. I need to somehow carve out 1 to 2 hours or so each day for training and then I would be able to have a reasonable fitness level that combined with a week here and there of higher volume and all my residual fitness from when I started running at 7 years old and doing tri’s at 18 will be enough to get me safely through Kona.

How have you stayed healthy and completed the previous 28 IRONMAN Hawaii races?

Base work, consistency, massage, listening to my body (my injury this year was because of a lack of all these things), taking the necessary time off when I was training a lot and most importantly my love of training and racing. If I had the time I would love nothing more than to train 5 to 8 hours every day!

Thanks, Ken!

Saturday, June 30, 2012

EST's Featured Races

Endurance Sports Travel is pleased to feature three races to satisfy your thirst for amazing travel, easy logistics, and unforgettable racing. Information about EST’s travel packages for each of these races is available by checking out the EST website.

IRONMAN U.S. Championship — The inaugural Ironman U.S. Championship begins with a time-trial swim start: a 2.4 mile swim in the Hudson River. The 112 mile bike course spans the cliffs of Palisades Parkway, followed by a 26.2 mile run course over the George Washington Bridge, and finishing at 81st Street in the heart of the city. New York City will be energetic with Triathletes from all over the world competing in the first ever IRONMAN in New York City.

Endurance Sports Travel still has a limited number of late entry slots to this race. If you are interested in participating in this event in August, contact us right away so you do not miss out on this inaugural race.

Ford IRONMAN Cozumel — Scheduled for November 24, 2012, if searching for a late season IRONMAN event, then Ford IRONMAN Cozumel is the race for you. Entry is still available directly through their website at Ford IRONMAN Cozumel. The Endurance Sports Travel tour package for Ford IRONMAN Cozumel is our most inclusive and least expensive trip. Extra options may include bike assembly and transportation from Cancun airport. Beautiful, sandy beaches and crystal blue water are mandatory. Join us for an incredible race and vacation.

IRONMAN Wisconsin — Still want to race in North America in 2012? Race entry slots are available to IRONMAN Wisconsin, scheduled for Sunday September 9th. This could be your last opportunity to sign up for a race in the U.S. for 2012. Reservations are already set for your trip; EST will be offering our complete ground package to IRONMAN Wisconsin. EST will provide you with airport transfers, local transportation, bike mechanic, accommodation and much more. Now is the time to make your reservation through Endurance Sports Travel.

Labor of Love, Part 2

Catching up with Ken Glah

This is part two of the interview with Ken Glah, Endurance Sports Travel founder and 6-time IRONMAN champion with race experience spanning the globe for more than three decades. Ten years ago, Ken envisioned a business that combined his passion for racing and his fascination for, and knowledge of other cultures, to encourage and enable athletes to race outside their home countries. Endurance Sports Travel offers the chance for athletes to race hassle-free in amazing locations while handling all of the intimidating details. Ken remains a fixture at Endurance Sports Travel by hosting athletes at race and helping athletes prepare.

If you missed part one of this fascinating interview with Ken, please read here.


Were you athletic as a child? Do you remember when you realized this was something that you were exceptional at?

I was a runner as a child but not exceptional. I was willing to put in the work and did well enough to get a Division 1 scholarship.

What was it about triathlons that attracted you to the sport?

As a runner, I could only train so many hours a week without risking injury. With triathlon training I could train 30 to 40 hours a week without any problem and I loved training. I still do!

Does your family have a history of athletics?

Most of my older brother were runners and my sister Rose as an excellent all-round athlete. It certainly helped having them around when I was younger. I would run with some of them but also spent a lot of time at their meets and my sister’s basketball and volleyball games.

Tell us about your first IRONMAN, and the build up to that.

It was 1984 and my first year racing professionally. I was still in college but was no longer runner as I had changed my focus to triathlons after my first year. I had some good success that summer and in September placed 4th at the world championships in Nice, France, so I went into Kona with some high expectations. I got severely burnt during the race and that contributed to my becoming dehydrated. I was training at Penn State and had been wearing long shirts and tights on the bike, so my skin was not ready for the sun of Hawaii. I did ok in the swim and got out in about 58 minutes I think and then worked my way up to 7th on the bike. John Howard was the only one that passed me on the bike. On the run I was doing well through 10 miles and then the heat and sunburn started getting to me. I went from 9th at miles 12 to about 30th at mile 17, and then really fell apart to and finished 275th. I was 30 minutes slower on the run than I was on the bike!

Who are your heroes?

I wouldn’t really say that I have heroes. I have people that I admire within the sport for what they have accomplished athletically and also how they handle themselves as people but the idea of having heroes is not something I buy into as being healthy. We should all strive to do our best at what we do, no matter what that is, but what is really important is how we behave as humans.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a triathlete?


Living on the east coast didn’t lend itself to getting good sponsorship as much of the industry in the sport developed on the west coast and in Europe. I had sponsors but not to the level that others competing at the same level had. The weather was definitely harder as it is cold for a number of months here and then nasty hot and humid in the summer but I think that only made me a better athlete. It wasn’t easy but trained me to be tougher under adverse conditions.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?

As an athlete, I don’t know that I can point to any one race, so I would say my longevity in the sport and my ability to compete at a high level for 20 some years and still love the sport. I love to be out all day training. With the business now that doesn’t happen too often, but when it does, I’m in heaven.

What did you do for a living before you made a career of your passion for triathlon?

I went from being a kid straight into triathlons, so I have always made my living from the sport. First as an athlete and now helping others travel to races all over the world.

Your wife is also a world class triathlete. Do you train together? What have you learned from her, and vice versa?

Jan and I used to train a lot together, but now we both have our own businesses and have trouble just getting in consistent training, so we rarely get to train together anymore. She really helped me with my swimming, and I helped her with her cycling, but the main thing was helping to get each other through on the days when motivation was lacking.

Is your daughter an athlete too?

Yes, Reanin grew up doing gymnastics and despite being about 6 to 8 inches taller than the other girls. She did well and more importantly, she loved it. She eventually got into volleyball and had to leave her gymnastics behind as it is not something you can do very safely at 6 feet tall. Now she plays volleyball in college at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Do you have any advice for others looking to do their first IRONMAN?

Do it because you want to challenge yourself but also make sure it fits within your life so you can make it a healthy long term lifestyle. The people are great within the sport, and the amazing places you can go with your family and friends to race are almost endless.

What’s the achievement you’ve been most proud of within the business?

Providing a professional yet personal service that makes athletes feel comfortable about traveling to races away from home. This allows them to enjoy their race while they and their families to have fun and unique experiences meeting people from many different countries, and often form long lasting friendships. I love the sport of triathlon and have made it a central part of my life for almost 30 years, so I want to share my experiences and enthusiasm with other athletes and their families. I think I have been able to achieve that through what we do at Endurance Sports Travel.

Thanks to Ken for the fascinating look at Endurance Sports Travel and his highly successful racing career.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Ironman Race Entry, the clock is ticking!

Now is the time to secure your entry before we are SOLD OUT!

The following races are available for YOU in 2012 with Endurance Sports Travel:
  • Ironman Austria
  • Ironman Germany
  • Ironman Lake Placid
  • Ironman U.S. Championship
  • Ironman Mont Tremblant
  • Ironman Canada
  • Ironman Wisconsin
  • Ironman Florida
Ironman U.S. Championship - New York:

Be a part of history by competing in the inaugural Ironman U.S. Championship race in New York City on August 11, 2012. The inaugural Ironman U.S. Championship begins with a 2.4 mile time-trial swim start in the Hudson River. The 112-mile bike course spans the cliffs of Palisades Parkway followed by a 26.2 mile run course over the George Washington Bridge and finishing at 81st Street in the heart of the city.

Race entry slots will only be offered along with our complete ground package. Our extensive ground package is also available to anyone already registered in the race. Take advantage of the private transfers from the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport to the Host Hotel, Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. Airport transfers will only take place from the JFK International airport, there will be a staff member at the airport to assist you on your arrival from Monday through Thursday the week before the race.

Ironman Austria:

There are still race entry slots available for you to Ironman Austria 2012. You can secure your entry and ground package with Endurance Sports Travel for as little as $800. What does this include?

EST's Ground Package to Ironman Austria includes:
  • Race Entry Slot Premium (this allows you to purchase your entry online)
  • Accommodation - 4 nights (Gretl Hotel and Haus Gut Drasing)
  • Transfers From the Airport (Klagenfurt) to the Hotel
  • Transfer from the Train Station (Klagenfurt) to the Hotel
  • Daily Local Transportation (provided by EST)
  • Transportation to All Race Functions
  • Daily Buffet Breakfast
  • EST Hosts/Hostesses to Assist You
  • Exclusive EST Bike Mechanic in The Hotel
  • Guided Course Tours Daily (Sunday Through Thursday Pre Race)
  • Transfers From the Hotel to the Airport (Klagenfurt
  • Transfers From the Hotel to the Train Station (Klagenfurt)
  • Optional Day Trips in and Around Klagenfurt The Week Before and After the Race 
Please contact us with your desired race and we can work on getting your entry and travel package booked with us.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Want to Race in 2012?

Entries are Available!

Still trying to get into a race in 2012? Endurance Sports Travel has race entry slots still available to many sold out races. Our featured races include Ironman U.S. Championship – New York, Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman European Championship, and Ironman Austria. Don’t miss this great opportunity to do the race of your dreams in 2012!

Ironman U.S. Championship - New York

Endurance Sports Travel will certainly be in the Big Apple for the inaugural Ironman U.S. Championship, will you? The inaugural Ironman U.S. Championship begins with a 2.4-mile swim with time-trial start in the Hudson River. The 112-mile bike course spans the cliffs of Palisades Parkway followed by a 26.2-mile run course over the George Washington Bridge. Racers finish on 81st Street in the heart of the city.

Ground Package to the Ironman U.S. Championship Includes:
  • Accommodations and all taxes at Host Hotel
  • EST Welcome Package
  • EST Welcome Dinner
  • Exclusive EST Professional Bike Mechanic
  • Guided Group Runs and Rides in Central Park
  • Question and Answer Session with Ken Glah
  • 2 CO2 Cartridges for Race Day
  • Discount for TriBike Transport
  • Hospitality Area for EST Spectators on Race Day
  • Daily Guided Tours of Central Park, Little Italy, China Town, Financial District, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, etc. (entrance fees are not included)
  • ART Therapist (Active Release Technique)
  • Reserved Seating at the Carbo Dinner for all EST Athletes and Guests (tickets are not included)
  • Transition Bags and Bikes Collected from T1/T2 area and delivered to hotel for TriBike Transport by EST Staff
  • Organization of Bike Shipping for Foreign Athletes after the race
  • Daily Guided Trips for Dinner — Little Italy, China Town, Hoboken, etc (meal is not included)
  • Organization of Theater Tickets and Sunday Cruise
Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman European Championship

Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman European Championship takes place in and around the city of Frankfurt. An incredibly fast course with huge crowds will remind you of scenes from the Tour de France. There are just a couple of the reasons why Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman European Championship is a race that many athletes want to add to their list of Ironman races. The run takes place within the city and has such high energy that you will feel the crowd carrying you home to the finish.

Let Endurance Sports Travel handle all of the reservations. Athletes can expect a first-class experience for themselves, their families and spectators alike!

Ground Package to Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman European Championship includes:
  • Accommodations at the InterCity Frankfurt
  • Roundtrip Transfers From the Airport (Frankfurt) to the Hotel
  • Roundtrip Transfers From the Train Station (Frankfurt) to the Hotel
  • Daily Local Transportation (provided by EST)
  • Transportation to All Race Functions
  • Daily Buffet Breakfast
  • EST Welcome Packet
  • EST Hosts/Hostesses to Assist You
  • Professional Bike Mechanic at the Hotel (Exclusive to EST Clients)
  • CO2 Cartridges for Race Day
  • Distribution of Special Needs Bags on the Bike and Run
  • Hospitality Area for Spectators during the Bike and Run
  • Bike Case Storage in the Hotel (more space and less clutter in your room)
  • Guided Course Tours Daily (Sunday through Thursday pre-race)
  • Monday Night Celebration Dinner
  • Organization of optional day trips in and around Frankfurt the week before and the week after the race
Ironman Austria

One of the fastest Ironman's ever recorded took place at Ironman Austria, so get ready to PR. A limited number of race entry slots are available on a first come, first serve basis. Don’t miss your chance to register for Ironman Austria with Endurance Sports Travel. Contact us now to make your reservation!

Ground Package to Ironman Austria includes:
  • Accommodations (Gretl Hotel and Haus Gut Drasing)
  • Roundtrip Transfers From the Airport (Klagenfurt) to the Hotel
  • Roundtrip Transfer from the Train Station (Klagenfurt) to the Hotel
  • Daily Local Transportation (provided by EST)
  • Transportation to All Race Functions
  • Daily Buffet Breakfast
  • EST Hosts/Hostesses to Assist You
  • Professional Bike Mechanic at the Hotel (Exclusive to EST Clients)
  • Guided Course Tours Daily (Sunday through Thursday Pre-Race)
  • Optional Day Trips in and Around Klagenfurt The Week Before and After the Race
Besides our Featured Races above, we have quite a few other races for you to consider, both internationally and in the U.S. Endurance Sports Travel even has race entry slots to many of the sold out races! To reserve your entry, all you need to do is pay for your race entry and make a deposit for your ground package.

Endurance Sports Travel has secured your accommodations and will take care of all your transportation. Just purchase your airfare and enjoy your training.

2012 race entries are still available for the following races:

Ironman Texas
Ironman Austria
Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman European Championship
Ironman US Championship - New York
Ironman Mont-Tremblant
Ironman Canada
Ironman Wisconsin
Ironman Florida

Testimonials

From Dede Griesbauer, Professional Triathlete:

"I have traveled a number of times with Ken Glah and his team at Endurance Sports Travel. The first trip I took with Ken, I was hooked. Simply can't understand why athletes would go it alone when you can go it with EST.

I am typically a "do it yourself-er" and that's all well and good when things go according to plan…..but how often does international travel with 100+ lbs of highly sensitive and technical sports equipment go smoothly? Ken's teams, no matter the race location, are exceptionally professional, exceptionally friendly, and if they can't solve your problem? The problem can't be solved! Need the best massage therapist in the area? Done. Want to find a pool to swim in and secure a car hire to get there? Done. Shifter break in foreign country? Replacement part located in a city 1474 miles away and shipped overnight to expert EST staffed mechanic for installation. Problem solved. Crash your bike and wind up in the ICU? Transition bags collected and hotel room packed.

All true stories of things that have happened to me in my travels with Ironman racing and examples of Ken and his staff go above and beyond to care for each of their athletes.

Think I'm "different" because I am a pro? Not hardly. I know another EST client who broke a tooth biting into a frozen Snicker bar she'd left in her gear bag. EST had a dentist at the EST house within an hour after the athlete finished the race. Problem...SOLVED!

You can easily plan your travel to your next Ironman or half-Ironman competition on your own, but why not book with Ken and Endurance Sports Travel and have a dedicated staff of experts at your disposal to help make your travel and race experience as easy and care free as it can be?"


From Luis Mendes:

"Disculpa lo tarde de mi respuesta pero es que estaba en argentina de vacaciones y gracias por tomarme en cuenta para tu revista y aqui te mando mi reportaje por si lo quieres agregar desde hace algun tiempo tuve un sueno y era realizar todos los diferentes ironman que existian en el mundo.

Sabia que la meta era algo larga y fuerte por lo que tenia que buscar ayuda para que el camino fuera lo menos desgastante y que me sintiera bien con lo que hacia ademas tenia temor saber a donde iba a llegar el idioma costumbres gastos y tantas cosas de un viaje mas el objetivo de realizar un ironman lo mejor concentrado para lograr terminarlo bien por lo que quiero compartir la suerte que tuve de conseguir un aliado y es la gente de endurance sports y de hecho ha sido mi hermano mayor que me ha ayudado a no tener que cometer errores ya que el me ha aconsejado lo que debo hacer para no equivocarme.

Hoy por hoy ya he hecho 10 ironman y todos los he terminado bien un poco mas o menos de los tiempos esperados pero feliz porque he viajado solo y con mi familia y ellos me ayudan en todo ya que tienen todo organizado saben como tratar un atleta y sus acompanantes ya que ellos tambien son atletas.

Quiero compartir las palabras de agradecimiento de mi familia y espero que sigan siendo mi hermano mayor en los ironman.

Saludos de luis mendes"


"For a long time I had wanted to have a 'dream come true' in regards to competing in some of the different Ironman races that exist around the world. I knew that this was a goal that was both big and difficult and that I would need the help of someone to make the path to my goal the least stressful possible so I could concentrate on the race. In addition, I thought of how would I arrive to the event's location, how would I communicate with people, what about the local cost of things, what about the different customs of the country. In short, there were many things to worry about than just my Ironman, which I needed to concentrate on in order to finish well. It was no small stroke of luck that I found an ally in the people who are Endurance Sports Travel and throughout my journey they have been my 'Big Brother' and have not only helped me, but also kept me from making huge errors and mistakes.

Today, I have done 10 Ironman races and all of them I have finished, some more or less in the time I wanted to, but nonetheless happy, more so because I have traveled with my family and enjoyed doing so.

I want to share all of this with you since if it were not for my 'Big Brother', Endurance Sports Travel, none would have been possible.

Luis Mendes"


From Owen Martin:

I have being traveling with Endurance Sports Travel from 2006, and from that time, all the extra pressure of arriving at a race venue has being taken from me. As an Athlete who travels with family I was always concerned about my family during the race, having Ken and Ty there to look after them is a huge weight off my mind. Ken Glah is a world class Athlete and has always being very helpful in any concerns I had pre-race, the guy just knows everything you need to know. I can highly recommend EST as they simply leave your race experience that bit better and I am looking forward to traveling again this year with them.

Labor of Love

Catching up with Ken Glah

Ken Glah is not your average triathlon tour operator, nor is his company, Endurance Sports Travel, your average triathlon tour operation. Ken has been racing across the globe for more than three decades, has competed in over 70 Ironman races and has a record 28 consecutive finishes at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii under his belt. He's won 6 Ironman races during his career — three in Brazil, one in Canada, and two in New Zealand, as well as the 1993 Ironman World Series Title. Ten years ago, Ken started a business which combines his passion for racing and his fascination for, and knowledge of other cultures, to encourage and enable athletes to race outside their home countries. We sat down with him to talk training, racing, and the ins and outs of creating unique, stress-free travel experiences for his clients competing across the world.

Tell us about your motivation for setting up Endurance Sports Travel.

I originally set up Endurance Sports Travel after becoming involved with the management of Ironman Brazil. I wanted to make it easy for people to travel to a race and for both the athlete and their family to enjoy the trip as well as the race.

Talk us through the process of booking a race trip for an athlete.

While booking basic items for a trip such as airfare, hotel and car rental are easy to do through the Internet or a travel agent, EST can do all that for you and so much more. You won't need a car, which in an unfamiliar city or country can relieve a lot of stress. Plus in some countries getting a car big enough for your bike and luggage is not easy or cheap, and if you do have a large vehicle and it’s a city race, then parking can be extremely expensive and/or hard to find. Just the money saved on the rental fee, gas, and parking could be enough to pay for all our services. We pick you up at the airport and take care of all transportation—all race functions, course tours, shopping, and at some races we take spectators to viewing points along the course with a hospitality area, and transport the athlete, family, equipment and bikes to and from the race site. We have staff on-site and available 24 hours a day along with translators. We have a network of the most amazing professional mechanics all over the world who have worked for EST for years. EST has massage therapists with us, and trusted local therapists. At some events we have ART therapists and sports psychologists. We organize day-trips, and in some cases after race tours. Between the knowledge of our full-time staff and assistants in countries all over the world, we know how to provide for the needs of athletes and spectators, from young children to adults into their 80's. I am confident no other service is as complete as ours for athletes or spectators.

Do you have any stories, pre-EST about your own experiences arranging to attend exotic races as an individual?

I traveled all over the world to race for close to 20 years before I started EST. Many times I had my parents along as well and then my daughter after she was born in 1993. So traveling with my elderly parents and an infant/young child definitely kept me on my toes. We had the normal issues that come with being on the road for 100 days or more in a year such as flight delays, lost luggage, illness or accidents and how to deal with these things and still stay focused on trying to win major races while making sure they were all okay and having fun. Having a bike mechanic at events now certainly helps so much as many times it was pre-race bike issues that would cause stress.

What is EST’s philosophy when it comes to customer service?

Our goal is to make all our clients (athletes and spectators) feel completely comfortable traveling to a destination race, and for the trip to be regarded as a great vacation, not just a race. We want everyone to feel they have received far more than they had paid for or expected. Word of mouth and repeat clients are what keep us growing, so it is imperative that at the end of a trip the clients leave thinking about where they want to travel next with EST and wanting to share their positive experience with others.

Share one or two of your favorite stories from EST clients about their experiences.

Once during a course tour I was leading by bus in Brazil I heard a woman say to another athlete "I’ve been so relaxed and having so much fun I forgot we have to do an Ironman in a few days." I had a guy write and say that he had so much fun and met so many people that he felt like he was at summer camp. The night after a race one year the father of an athlete turned to me and said, "This is the most fun I’ve had since college." Those types of comments make all the planning and work worthwhile.

Tell us about the growth of the company in terms of services and products.


After a successful first year in 2002 at Ironman Brazil, I added the half in Pucon, Chile. Then Ironman Switzerland approached me, and we started trips to Europe and then to another of my favorite places—New Zealand. We are now at over 25 races for 2012, and have had tours to races in 14 different countries. We went from working with 100 clients in 2002 up to just under 1000 this past year.

Tell us about your training philosophy and about the training programs EST offers.

I do work personally with a few athletes offering very individualized coaching myself, and refer clients to my friend Bill Hauser who has a full time coaching business called Mid-Atlantic Multisport. I believe very strongly in a lot of base work and a bit of tempo training but very little high-end speed training. I think this decreases injury, increases enjoyment and longevity in the sport and allows an athlete to reach a higher level of fitness.

How about the new Living the Dream camps?

The Living the Dream Camps are small personal camps that we are really starting to build on. The plan is to have approximately 12 people at the camps. We are flexible on the number of days people can attend the camp with this year's May camp being offered after I return from St. Croix, and before I leave for Ironman Brazil—May 10th through 17th. An athlete can come for 3 to 7 days of training in the beautiful Chester and Lancaster County areas that I have trained on for 40 years now. It's a chance to relax and train with others full time, while learning through informal Q and A sessions during the meals and training.

Thanks to Ken for the fascinating look at Endurance Sports Travel and his highly successful racing career.

Endurance Sports Travel Becomes Official IRONMAN® 70.3 Tour Operator

Industry-Leading Endurance Triathlon Tour Company to Act as Official Tour Operator for Ironman World Championship 70.3

Endurance Sports Travel is pleased to announce it will be the Official Tour Operator for the Ironman World Championship 70.3 taking place at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev., on Sept. 9, 2012. In agreement with World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), Endurance Sports Travel will be offering travel packages for all qualified athletes, family, and guests to the Ironman World Championship 70.3 in September.

After 11 years of offering tour packages for various Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races worldwide, former pro triathlete and 6-time Ironman Champion Ken Glah, owner of Endurance Sports Travel, is pleased to have this opportunity. “Every year, we have the chance to travel all over the world to countries as diverse as Brazil, Germany, and New Zealand. I love the idea that we will be able to offer our suite of services to our U.S. and international clientele for a world championship event of this caliber, here, in the U.S.,” states Glah.

Endurance Sports Travel will be offering accommodations at the Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, the host hotel for this event. The Loews Lake Las Vegas is just minutes from the race start and will host both event banquet functions.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Endurance Sports Travel Expands its Partnership!

Endurance Sports Travel is proud to be an official travel partner for Trichile!
http://www.trichile.cl/

Trichile is one of the most important triathlon web pages in South America, with a main focus in the growing Chilean market. Trichile provides, on a daily basis updated information, news, tips, race reports and results to triathletes and their families, coaches, race organizers, journalists, authorities and all the ones who love the sport. One of its main objectives is to contribute with the development of the sport of triathlon in Chile. Trichile aims to have an improved growth in triathletes, races, clubs, sponsors, among others things. Trichile is the network for the Chilean triathlon community.