BT Forum

I signed up for the lottery. It is probably my only way in because I am pretty sure I won't ever qualify, but I will continue to try. As to those who don't do the lottery and will only go if they do qualify, I respect that, but why not? I watched the feed the other day and I didn't hear anyone classified as a lottery person. Just as Ironman. I bet it is quite a trip, whether you are a qualifier or a lottery winner.

The Kona Lottery is a great thing!!! I went general entry last year (no passport club), According to the stats I saw there were about 6500 US lottery entrants. Since only passport club members get a shot at the first 100 and all non winners are rolled into the general entry pool for the last 50 spots, the odds were 50/6400 or 0.78%. As the Great One said, you miss every shot you don't take. Worst thing that happens you are out $35 (2006), but the best thing is you may end up in Kona (2007). I won a spot, no special interest story, no NBC coverage, just pure dumb luck.

Best $35 I have ever spent .

I'm in. Just registered today! I paid for the passport club too. I'm turning 40 next year so why not. I'm doing IMLP again next year so i would be race ready. Watching it this year was so inspirational for me. Never know..

Nathalie

I want to make it to kona on my own as well. No lotto for me

-- and you'll still probably make it sooner than me!

The link is Applying for the Lottery. Should have till the end of Feb to register (that's when the official cut off was last year). All other info given seems current. 200 slots total (50 given to internationals).

Good luck to everyone who gives it a go. I know my hat is in the ring.


On a side note: I feel for all you deployed military folks. Spent much of the past five years bouncing around from place to place and am enjoying the temporary reprieve. Gonna enjoy it while I can.

stupid question regarding the lotto. If you "win", do you still have to pay the $500 entry fee? Or in other words, is winning the lotto the right to sign-up or an actual entry into Kono?

thanks.

Yes you get to pay the full entry fee, but the $35 from the lottery is credited towards that fee.

you also have to finish at least a half by 8/31/08 if you get selected in the lottery:

US/INTERNATIONAL SELECTED ATHLETES

Athletes who are SELECTED through the Ironman Lottery must have completed an event that is 70.3 (1.2 Mile, 56 Mile + 13.1 Mile) distance or greater within one year of the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship to validate his/her lottery slot. Lottery winners must complete the validating race before August 31, 2008 and all validating information should be received in the Kona Race Office by August 31, 2008. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the lottery slot.

No lotto for me some day I will make it on my own, even if it's the 70 year old age group. I did it on my own.. "I did it my way"

I'm in.