That matches my experience. I finished a long distance triathlon once and a whole year was dedicated for this single great day. I joined clubs and met a lot of people who trained for Ironman races. Most of them have been really nice and down to earth. But when it comes to winning age groups or getting a ticket to Kona you run into a lot of ego-driven money waving guys. I always refused to call myself a triathlet. I did Triathlon and for me that made a difference.