It would be easy for a triathlete to get lulled into a false sense of security by Kailua-Kona, a small, laid-back community on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Once a sleepy fishing village, as well as a retreat for Hawaiian royalty, Kona (also known as Kailua) is now a popular tourist spot dotted with thatched buildings, historic landmarks, and comfortable accommodation.
Stretching out from the village’s palm-tree-shaded beach is Kona Pier. Atop tranquil waters filled with colorful coral, it is the ideal place to watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean and bid “aloha” to another day in paradise. As a cool breeze blows, and the horizon melts slowly away – from orange, to pink, to purple – it seems almost impossible to imagine that the place where you are standing is the start and finish of one of the most grueling experiences on earth – the Ironman World Championship.
Brainchild of Judy and John Collins, Ironman events are gargantuan triathlons in which competitors tackle a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run. If simply finishing wasn’t challenging enough, athletes must also meet certain “cut-off” times for each discipline in order to be named “Ironman” upon completion of the course.
First staged in Kona in 1981, the Ironman World Championship is designed to be the ultimate test of body, mind, and spirit. After a mass swim through the waters of Kailua-Kona Bay, athletes face a dreaded run through harsh terrain known for high winds, humidity, and tarmac temperatures over 115°F. If participants make it through these first 2 stages, (especially a section called the “Energy Lab” where many runners "hit the wall” on a desolate stretch of road close to a natural energy facility) a long, arduous bike ride through barren lava fields lies in wait.
The reward for those who battle through what is often referred to as “the toughest Ironman course in the world” is a rapturous reception from hundreds of fans on Kona Pier. Between 6–8 October 2022, the jubilant masses will congregate at Kona once more in this celebration of the human spirit, and with a variety of VIP experiences available (including hotel stays and finish line viewing), there has never been a better time to take in the Big Island’s big race.
For more information on the Ironman World Championship, or to purchase tickets, click here.
