HOW TO QUALIFY FOR KONA
Fancy your chances in the lava fields? Here’s how qualification works….
There’s no dark art to qualifying for Kona – you can get yourself onto the Hawaii start line by one of three methods:
01 BY SECURING A LEGACY SPOT
These are awarded to triathletes who’ve raced a set number of Ironman races (it was 12 for 2016 registration) and never raced at Kona. There are only 100 Legacy places available, though, so a roll-down is used.
02 BY ‘BUYING’ A PLACE
There are a few routes available for those with deep pockets, such as one of 10 Ironman Foundation slots (suggested $50,000 donation); a Women For Tri initiative slot (you’ll need a compelling story and to raise/donate $25,000) or by winning a charitable slot auctioned through eBay (minimum bid $10,000).
03 BY QUALIFYING AT A RACE
This is the route most age-groupers will use and, in short, means winning one of the available qualifying slots in your age-group at your chosen race.
In 2016 there were 39 qualifying races available worldwide to take a shot at – with around 40-75 places available at each. You don’t necesssarily need to win your age-group to qualify, though, as many who qualify will choose not to take up their Kona spot.
In these situations a roll-down method is used, whereby the spot automatically gets awarded to the next-placed finisher in the category. You have to be at that race’s awards ceremony to take up the Kona place, however, so if you place highly make sure you’re there in person and with your fingers crossed!
Beyond that, your chances of qualifying come down to careful race choice. So if you’re terrible with the heat and have no time to acclimatise, don’t choose Ironman Lanza as your hope of qualifying.
It’s also worth looking at the number of spots available at each race versus the number of entrants, and how the top finish times compare to your predicted time. Will one Ironman race give you a better shot than another?
Bear in mind that for 2017 there are some new interesting opportunities. For example, the major relaunch of Ironman into China is being celebrated with 190 Kona slots being offered at five 70.3 distance races. So if you’re a middle-distance demon, this is your opportunity.
Once you’ve qualified (congratulations!) it’s then just a case of paying the entry fee ($890 in 2016), booking your flights and getting a new pair of board shorts ready for the famous after-party… Q 220