Ford Ironman World Championships, Hawaii - Sat 11th Oct 2008
Triathlon Events October 9th, 2008
Ford Ironman World Championship - Kona, Hawaii, October 11th 2008
If you are a triathlete, there is no bigger day in this sport than the Ford Ironman World Championship. It is the race that defined triathlon as it came of age and continues to be the defining race in our sport for any avid triathlete.
30 years on and the Ironman World Championships remain in Hawaii on the island of Kona. On Saturday morning Britain’s best will swim in the Pacific Ocean, ride across the formidable lava fields and run their way down into Alii Drive to the finish.
To get to the starting line in Kona, you must either be very lucky and get yourself a spot through the lottery, or very talented, and win yourself a qualifying spot at one of the qualifying events held around the world.
Tens-of-thousands of triathletes try to get one of those coveted Ironman spots every year. Only 1,800 succeeded.
That means 1,800 “lucky” people get to test themselves on one of the biggest challenges the sports world has to offer … 2.4-miles of swimming, 112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run through tough ocean waves, and challenging lava-covered terrain.
Defending 2007 womens champion, Great Britain’s Chrissie Wellington, will start as favourite following a superb year on the Ironman circuit. With wins at Ironman Australia, Germany and the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships in the Netherlands, she is undefeated over long course racing in 2008.
Other Great Britian women out in Kona are Leanda Cave and Bella Comerford, both come into the event in impressive form with some excellent result throughout the season.
Stephen Bayliss has had a great year which has included wins at Ironman UK and Ironman South Africa with a second place finish at Ironman Austria and fourth at Ironman New Zealand. This will be the first outing over the Kona lava fields for the Great Britian, but having prepared in Korea he will be well acclimatised and in good shape to push the front runners.
Other elite Great Britain men in the wash include three time ITU Duathlon World Championship Paul Amey, who also heads to the Ironman World Championships for the first time. While Ironman UK runner-up Scott Neyedli is looking to improve on his finishing position from last year’s World Championships where he crossed the line in 31st.
A large British contingent gained selection for the Ironman World Championships from the full range of age group categories and also head out to the lava fields of Kona.
While there are thousands of triathlons around the world, it is this one that truly defines the sport.
Best wishes to all those participating. You can get live updates, results and more info here.
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