Big Efforts, Small Rewards? The Reality of Earning Points Through Events

One of the more appealing parts of this rewards program is the idea that you can earn points through organised events—everything from a free 5km park run to a full IRONMAN. On paper, it sounds like a great system. Complete an event, have a publicly available finish time, and you’re rewarded. Simple.

Parkrun is the easiest entry point. It’s free, accessible, and ticks the box. But once you start training for larger events, the logic begins to break down.

If you’re preparing for something like an IRONMAN, you’re already training consistently. That means daily exercise, which in turn means you’re likely hitting the maximum allowable points for physical activity well before race day. By the time the event arrives, the additional points are often meaningless—you’ve already capped out.

There is some benefit if you complete these events earlier in the year. You can accelerate your progress, unlock higher tiers sooner, and potentially access rewards earlier. But even then, the value becomes questionable at higher levels.

Take equipment discounts as an example. A $750 discount on a bike sounds decent—until you realise most people training for an IRONMAN are spending between $5,000 and $15,000. In reality, that discount is often less than what you could negotiate at a bike shop, especially later in the season. It starts to feel like a false economy.

Interestingly, I’ve found more motivation in platforms like Strava and Garmin. The rewards aren’t financial, but they’re clear. Ride 200km, earn a badge. Run a half marathon, unlock another. The rules are transparent, and the progression builds over time. It’s simple, consistent, and—most importantly—trustworthy.

By comparison, while this program does deliver some financial benefits, the lack of clarity around how rewards are calculated and applied makes the overall experience feel less rewarding. The more I use it, the more it feels like a system where the effort doesn’t quite match the return.

And that’s the key takeaway—big efforts don’t always lead to meaningful rewards.