The IRONMAN World Title in Kona is the hardest race in the world for a triathlete to earn a spot in. Thousands of age group triathletes begin the year looking to qualify and merely a fraction of them make information technology to the kickoff line.

The qualifying process is strenuous, not only the training involved, just the logistics of picking your qualifying race can be a headache. What location offers the best grade? Non necessarily the fastest, simply the one that fits your strengths. What location has the virtually qualifying spots in your age group? What is the qualifying time y'all need to hitting in guild to have a chance? How virtually the depth of contest in your historic period group? These are only a few questions one considers when looking to qualify for Kona.

Cycling on course in Kona. Photo Courtesy of Cervélo

Just how difficult is it to qualify for Kona? Approximately 100,000 triathletes attempt to qualify, only ii,000 triathletes cease upward on the start line. That'southward two%. Every IRONMAN event around the earth offers a minimum of one qualifying spot per age grouping. More spots are given to a race depending on registration numbers and age category. Typically, the 35-39 and 40-44 age grouping are the most populated, therefore they offer the almost qualifying spots. So, you don't take to win your age group to earn a berth, nonetheless, winning does secure your chances.

Qualifying for Kona on the 2019 P5X. Photo Courtesy of Cervélo

Ironman Mont-Tremblant. Photo: Cervélo

How many spots are there? In 2017, the races with the most entry spots (75) were Brazil, Cairns, Frankfurt, South Africa and Texas. Just because there are more spots, doesn't mean you have the all-time run a risk of qualifying. The more than spots that are given likely ways the greater the competition. The number of spots given to races can change from twelvemonth to year, so it's best to research this before you annals.

Waiting for the gun to become. Photo Courtesy of Cervélo

So, what races give you the best shot of qualifying? Picking a race that is around the same fourth dimension as Kona is a smart idea. With all the Kona qualified athletes non present, you'll exist able to have on a macerated field. IRONMAN Taiwan, Barcelona, Louisville and Florida all have place roughly 2 to three weeks earlier or later on Kona. In 2017, there were less than 800 participants at IRONMAN Taiwan. So, if one is willing to travel to Asia, your odds of qualifying exponentially increment.

Just because these races have fewer Kona leap triathletes, yet doesn't mean they're "piece of cake." The boilerplate qualifying time across these 4 races (40-44 age grouping) was ix:twenty to x:ten for men and 10:x to 11:10 for the women.

Once September comes along many of Northward America'south elevation age group triathletes retire for the season. Merely if you've got Kona on your mind, this is your shot to authorize. Programme your grooming correct, maybe do a few late-season training camps in some warm climates, you tin can peak for a number of the Nov/Dec Ironmans around the world.

What about the IRONMAN Legacy Program and the Kona Sale?

As recently as three years ago, at that place was the IRONMAN Lottery program. The lottery was a manner for 100 lucky historic period group triathletes to get into Kona without having to qualify. But in 2015, the US federal government put a end to this, deeming the activity to be an illegal gambling enterprise. Without albeit whatsoever wrongdoing, IRONMAN paid over 2 and a half million dollars to the government.

Withal, there is still the Legacy Programme. Created in 2012 equally a way to honour IRONMAN's loyalist competitors. If you complete 12 total altitude IRONMAN races over the course of your career, you may be ane of a hundred triathletes granted a spot to Kona. To be eligible you must have:

  1. Completed the minimum of 12 IRONMANs (does non include Challenge races or other brands)
  2. Never started an IRONMAN World Championship
  3. Completed an IRONMAN in the concluding two years
  4. Be registered for an IRONMAN in the electric current year.

If you come across those criteria you're and so put into a lottery, of which a hundred triathletes are selected.

Crossing the line. Photo Courtesy of Cervélo

Lastly, IRONMAN holds an Almanac Kona Auction bidding off a select number of slots to side by side yr's world title. The minimum bidding price is $10,000 and all the proceeds go to the efforts of the IRONMAN Foundation. The foundation was created in 2003 as a manner to "leave a legacy through philanthropy, volunteerism and grant making by supporting various athletic, community, education, health, human services and public benefit organizations around the earth." Auction winner(s) receive;

  • Race bib to compete at The IRONMAN Earth Championship in Kailua, Kona
  • Private athlete registration in Kona
  • Four VIP packages
  • Invitations to exclusive race-week functions

The racing gear you need for Kona

The training you lot put into qualifying for Kona is considerable, only your equipment is only as important, and the wheel is a key part of that. Equipment choices can be very individual, but over the past 13 years, Kona qualifiers accept called Cervélo more than any other bike brand. In 2017 for instance, Cervélo outnumbered Trek and Specialized (2nd and third place brands) past 300 bikes and made up roughly 25% of the field. Riding a Cervélo won't guarantee your entry, but it but might tilt the odds in your favour.

Getting the 2019 Cervelo P5X set up in transition. Photo Courtesy of Cervélo