The IRONMAN World Championship 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 only a fraction of them brand it to the beginning line.

The qualifying process is strenuous, non just the training involved, but the logistics of picking your qualifying race can be a headache. What location offers the best course? Not necessarily the fastest, just the one that fits your strengths. What location has the most qualifying spots in your age group? What is the qualifying time you lot need to hit in gild to have a take a chance? How about the depth of competition in your age group? These are simply a few questions 1 considers when looking to qualify for Kona.

Cycling on course in Kona. Photo Courtesy of Cervélo

Merely how hard is it to qualify for Kona? Approximately 100,000 triathletes try to qualify, only two,000 triathletes terminate up on the first line. That's 2%. Every IRONMAN issue effectually the earth offers a minimum of 1 qualifying spot per historic period group. More spots are given to a race depending on registration numbers and historic period category. Typically, the 35-39 and twoscore-44 historic period group are the most populated, therefore they offer the most qualifying spots. So, you don't accept to win your age group to earn a berth, all the same, winning does secure your chances.

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

Ironman Mont-Tremblant. Photograph: Cervélo

How many spots are at that place? In 2017, the races with the most entry spots (75) were Brazil, Cairns, Frankfurt, South Africa and Texas. Simply because at that place are more spots, doesn't mean y'all have the all-time take chances of qualifying. The more spots that are given likely means the greater the competition. The number of spots given to races tin can change from year to year, so it'southward best to research this before you register.

Waiting for the gun to get. Photo Courtesy of Cervélo

So, what races give you the all-time shot of qualifying? Picking a race that is effectually the same fourth dimension as Kona is a smart thought. With all the Kona qualified athletes non nowadays, y'all'll be able to have on a macerated field. IRONMAN Taiwan, Barcelona, Louisville and Florida all take place roughly 2 to three weeks before or later 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 increase.

Just because these races have fewer Kona leap triathletes, nonetheless doesn't hateful they're "like shooting fish in a barrel." The average qualifying time across these four races (forty-44 age grouping) was 9:xx to 10:10 for men and 10:10 to eleven:10 for the women.

Once September comes forth many of North America's superlative age group triathletes retire for the season. But if you've got Kona on your mind, this is your shot to qualify. Plan your preparation correct, perchance exercise a few late-flavor training camps in some warm climates, you can peak for a number of the November/December Ironmans around the world.

What virtually the IRONMAN Legacy Program and the Kona Auction?

Every bit recently every bit three years ago, at that place was the IRONMAN Lottery plan. The lottery was a manner for 100 lucky historic period group triathletes to go into Kona without having to authorize. But in 2015, the The states federal government put a stop to this, deeming the action to be an illegal gambling enterprise. Without admitting any wrongdoing, IRONMAN paid over two and a half meg dollars to the government.

Nonetheless, there is withal the Legacy Programme. Created in 2012 as a way to accolade IRONMAN's loyalist competitors. If you complete 12 full distance IRONMAN races over the course of your career, yous may be one of a hundred triathletes granted a spot to Kona. To be eligible you must have:

  1. Completed the minimum of 12 IRONMANs (does not include Challenge races or other brands)
  2. Never started an IRONMAN Globe Championship
  3. Completed an IRONMAN in the last ii years
  4. Be registered for an IRONMAN in the electric current year.

If you meet those criteria you're then put into a lottery, of which a hundred triathletes are selected.

Crossing the line. Photograph Courtesy of Cervélo

Lastly, IRONMAN holds an Annual Kona Sale behest off a select number of slots to next twelvemonth'southward world title. The minimum bidding price is $10,000 and all the proceeds get to the efforts of the IRONMAN Foundation. The foundation was created in 2003 as a mode to "leave a legacy through philanthropy, volunteerism and grant making past supporting various athletic, customs, education, wellness, human being services and public benefit organizations around the world." Auction winner(due south) receive;

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

The racing gear you demand for Kona

The preparation y'all put into qualifying for Kona is considerable, but your equipment is just as important, and the bike is a key part of that. Equipment choices tin can be very private, but over the past 13 years, Kona qualifiers have called Cervélo more than than whatsoever other bike brand. In 2017 for instance, Cervélo outnumbered Trek and Specialized (2nd and third place brands) by 300 bikes and fabricated up roughly 25% of the field. Riding a Cervélo won't guarantee your entry, merely it just might tilt the odds in your favour.

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