General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How to qualify for Kona? Rss Feed  
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2007-12-03 2:23 PM

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Bend, OR
Subject: How to qualify for Kona?
I've been curious how folks qualify for Kona? I know there is a lottery for about 300 age-groupers but what about the other 1700 entrants? I think it qualifies as a "need to do once in your life" type of event in my book (waaaay down the road that is :0) I just couldn't decipher the code on qualification.



2007-12-03 2:28 PM
in reply to: #1080916

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Pro
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Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
Qualifying races have a certain number of slots per age group (see  http://www.ironman.com/mediacenter/faq/the-ironman-world-championship-is-based-out-of-kona-hawaii for details).  Visit the results pages of various qualifying races for several years and see what the Kona qualifying times have been for your age group.  Years may vary quite a bit due to weather on race day.  Then, train your @ss off.  Good luck.

Edited by Birkierunner 2007-12-03 2:30 PM
2007-12-03 2:29 PM
in reply to: #1080916

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2007-12-03 2:30 PM
in reply to: #1080916

Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

Step One: Choose your parents wisely.

2007-12-03 2:32 PM
in reply to: #1080928

Elite
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New City, New York
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
lift weights. everyday.
2007-12-03 2:42 PM
in reply to: #1080932

Cycling Guru
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Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

Every AG that has an entry in it gets a slot and the rest are allocated to the percentages as jeepfleeb stated.

If there is only one guy or girl in some AG and they do not take the slot, then that slot will be awarded to the AG with the highest number of entrants (almost always M35-39).  This is called the "rolldown" along with those that decide not to take the slot in their age group when their are multiple recipients.

Yes, as fleeb said, if you are a guy you need to typically be sub-10 to be comfortably in, but at Florida this year the "slowest" in my AG that go in was around 9:35 or so ..... and that was the 12th or 13th person in the age group to get a slot!!!  Some courses are fast while most in the US are very competitive.  Other courses are "slow" relative to others - Lake Placid and Wisc. are two that typically are up and just over the 10 hour mark for the average male qualifiers.



2007-12-03 2:43 PM
in reply to: #1080932

Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

rollinbones - 2007-12-03 3:32 PM lift weights. everyday.

Yes, especially if you are in the M35-39 and are racing Lake Placid.  Make sure that is your focus and the thing you do the most of!!  Don't worry about the bike, it will be a joke - spend the least time on that.

2007-12-03 2:49 PM
in reply to: #1080926

Master
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portland, or
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
>>"But for guys sub-10 is a good general rule of thumb until you get to 45 and over."

It's getting to where you need to go sub-10 in 45-49, and that's no guarantee. Two guys under 10 at IMF didn't get a spot, and I think seven went under 10 at IMWA with only one spot available. M45-49 winner at IMWA went sub 9!!!

scott
2007-12-03 2:55 PM
in reply to: #1080965

Champion
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the colony texas
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
can you still qualify for Kona at some of the 70.3 races????  
2007-12-03 3:02 PM
in reply to: #1080916

Master
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West Jordan, UT
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

So If you have to be able to go sub 10 to get into Kona, how come so many people finish WAY after that?  Over 1200 people finished after 10 hours at the last race.  Where are all those people coming from?

 

2007-12-03 3:04 PM
in reply to: #1080978

Elite
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Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
Gaarryy - 2007-12-03 3:55 PM

can you still qualify for Kona at some of the 70.3 races????  


There is a separate 70.3 championship which is held in Florida. You must qualify for it similar to the way you qualify for Kona.


2007-12-03 3:06 PM
in reply to: #1081006

Elite
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Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
tkbslc - 2007-12-03 4:02 PM

So If you have to be able to go sub 10 to get into Kona, how come so many people finish WAY after that?  Over 1200 people finished after 10 hours at the last race.  Where are all those people coming from?

 



Well there are women who race Kona too. But that goes back to the lottery system mentioned earlier in the thread. Any ability level of Ironman can get into Kona through the lottery system. But keep you fingers crosses for months at a time. They are very hard to win.
2007-12-03 3:07 PM
in reply to: #1081014

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Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

steveseer - 2007-12-03 3:04 PM
Gaarryy - 2007-12-03 3:55 PM can you still qualify for Kona at some of the 70.3 races????  
There is a separate 70.3 championship which is held in Florida. You must qualify for it similar to the way you qualify for Kona.

Hmm ,, I must have had it wrong then but for some reason I thought I heard you could qualify for kona at a 70.3 race, since there was a debate about it.. was it possible a few years ago??

2007-12-03 3:11 PM
in reply to: #1080978

Veteran
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Glen Carbon
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
Gaarryy - 2007-12-03 2:55 PM

can you still qualify for Kona at some of the 70.3 races????  


Slots are awarded at the Monaco, California, St. Croix, Honululu, Eaglaman, Buffalo Springs, and Vineman 70.3 events. I think slots are also available from the 70.3 championship though most who make it there are already qualified for the IM championship.

Edited by lfrick 2007-12-03 3:13 PM
2007-12-03 3:12 PM
in reply to: #1081025

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Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
Gaarryy - 2007-12-03 4:07 PM

steveseer - 2007-12-03 3:04 PM
Gaarryy - 2007-12-03 3:55 PM can you still qualify for Kona at some of the 70.3 races????  
There is a separate 70.3 championship which is held in Florida. You must qualify for it similar to the way you qualify for Kona.

Hmm ,, I must have had it wrong then but for some reason I thought I heard you could qualify for kona at a 70.3 race, since there was a debate about it.. was it possible a few years ago??



You used to could. Last year you there were some slots open at 70.3 races. Not this year, though, from what I have read.
2007-12-03 3:12 PM
in reply to: #1081025

Elite
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Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
Gaarryy - 2007-12-03 4:07 PM

steveseer - 2007-12-03 3:04 PM
Gaarryy - 2007-12-03 3:55 PM can you still qualify for Kona at some of the 70.3 races????  
There is a separate 70.3 championship which is held in Florida. You must qualify for it similar to the way you qualify for Kona.

Hmm ,, I must have had it wrong then but for some reason I thought I heard you could qualify for kona at a 70.3 race, since there was a debate about it.. was it possible a few years ago??



I'm not an expert on the subject, so I won't say its impossible. And I do know the Florida 70.3 Championship is fairly new. I think this year may have only been the second year. So maybe possible in earlier years. Anybody out there in BT know for sure??



2007-12-03 3:12 PM
in reply to: #1081014

Champion
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Northridge, California
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
steveseer - 2007-12-03 1:04 PM

Gaarryy - 2007-12-03 3:55 PM

can you still qualify for Kona at some of the 70.3 races????  


There is a separate 70.3 championship which is held in Florida. You must qualify for it similar to the way you qualify for Kona.


You can still also qualify for Kona at Ironman 70.3 California...limited number of Kona slots there and they say they may "combine age groups" for the purpose of allocating those slots.
2007-12-03 3:14 PM
in reply to: #1081006

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Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
tkbslc - 2007-12-03 5:02 PM

So If you have to be able to go sub 10 to get into Kona, how come so many people finish WAY after that?  Over 1200 people finished after 10 hours at the last race.  Where are all those people coming from?

 



Many athletes don't go to Kona to race - they go for the experience. Also, consider many of these athletes have almost all raced an IM earlier in the season in order to qualify (in some cases very recently) and most AGers don't have the time to properly train and peak for two ultra distance events in one season.

Throw in the lottery slots, add in the celebs and a course that, even on a good day, is a very challenging (winds and heat) and this results in lots of people having trouble.

Shane

Edited by gsmacleod 2007-12-03 3:34 PM
2007-12-03 3:29 PM
in reply to: #1080916

Nor*Cal
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

bendoregon - 2007-12-03 12:23 PM I've been curious how folks qualify for Kona? I know there is a lottery for about 300 age-groupers but what about the other 1700 entrants? I think it qualifies as a "need to do once in your life" type of event in my book (waaaay down the road that is :0) I just couldn't decipher the code on qualification.

 

Lots of great info in this thread

Kona Qualifying - What it takes

-ak-

2007-12-03 3:31 PM
in reply to: #1081047

Expert
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Plano, TX
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

...and a course that, even on a good day, is a very challenging (winds and heat) course ...

This is the key to the question, I think.

2007-12-03 3:40 PM
in reply to: #1080916

Subject: ...
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2007-12-03 3:48 PM
in reply to: #1080916

Champion
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Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

The 70.3 races mentioned above DO have Kona slots. For instance, St. Croix and Buffalo Springs have slots for Kona 08. As the contracts for these races come up for renewal, they are being taken away because there are more IM races.

In regards to 70.3 World Championships, they had some Kona slots for 07 Kona, this year, there were no Kona slots for anyone. 

Hope that helps. 

 

2007-12-03 4:17 PM
in reply to: #1080955

Expert
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Portland
Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?
Daremo - 2007-12-03 3:43 PM

rollinbones - 2007-12-03 3:32 PM lift weights. everyday.

Yes, especially if you are in the M35-39 and are racing Lake Placid.  Make sure that is your focus and the thing you do the most of!!  Don't worry about the bike, it will be a joke - spend the least time on that.

And during the bike leg of the race, push it as hard as you can. Try to pass as many people as you can and finish it as fast as possible. Don't worry about the run, it will be a breeze compared to the bike leg. 

2007-12-03 5:44 PM
in reply to: #1081224

Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

Don't expect 70.3 races with slots to be easier to get them either .... there are less available and even more competitive to get.

Top 6 places 30 - 34 at Eagleman:

1    21 CHRISTIAN WATERSTRAAT   33 LISLE IL              4:08:54.65 

2    26 MARK ROCHON             31 DOWNINGTOWN PA        4:12:09.05

3    47 JEROME HARRISON         33 WEST DUNDEE IL        4:18:46.00

4    48 JESSE SMITH             33 BEDMINSTER NJ         4:18:59.10

5    55 ALEXANDER SHERWOOD      32 TILLSON NY            4:20:28.05

6    57 LUKE HANNON             30 NEW YORK NY           4:20:50.40

Top 10 in 35 - 39:

    1    22 DAVID FORSEE            38 INDIANAPOLIS IN       4:09:46.30 
    2    29 VINNIE MONSEAU          38 MORGANTOWN WV         4:13:38.65
    3    30 MAX WUNDERLE            37 WEST SIMSBURY CT      4:13:50.55
    4    35 PATRICK DWYER           35 WALTHAM MA            4:14:34.00 
    5    36 DWAYNE SMITH            37 HANOVER PA            4:14:42.25
    6    40 ESPEN KATERAAS          37 WASHINGTON DC         4:16:52.10
    7    43 MARTY GAAL              35 CARY NC               4:17:53.35
    8    44 JEFF KAMMERZELT         35 WILMINGTON DE         4:18:25.20
    9    46 SCOTT WOLLARD           39 NEW YORK NY           4:18:30.50
   10    49 MARC KASE               39 CARDIFF CA            4:19:06.50

As you can guess ........ the field is just a bit competitive for those Kona slots ........

2007-12-03 5:46 PM
in reply to: #1080916

Champion
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Subject: RE: How to qualify for Kona?

To clear up so there is no confusion, when weight lifting you should be focusing on your max bench press Wink

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