Ironman Qualifying

[Ptrbilt]

Just out of curiosity I was checking out the Ironman website and discovered that you must qualify for the IM Kona. They list all of the qualifying races but not the criteria needed to qualify. Can anyone tell me what you need to do to qualify for a specific age group?

Thanks,
Peter

[Gojohnnygo.]

http://www.ironmannorthamerica.com/konaslots.html

[cjbruin]

In a nut shell...go to a race where they have IM qualifying spots and race your butt off.

My buddy just missed qualifying for Kona at IM Lake Placid with a 10:21. I think they gave 15 qualifying spots to the 35-39 age group. Each race is a little different. Some 1/2 IM's award Kona spots to the first two or three finishers in each age group.

There is also a lottery for Kona. If you get in via lottery you need to complete a 1/2 or full IM that year in order to be eligible to start on race day. http://vnews.ironmanlive.com/vnews/topstories/1124820207/

[MHR]

I think they gave 15 qualifying spots to the 35-39 age group

I have never been to an IM qualifier that had that many slots in an age group. The most I have seen is 1 or 2 per sex per age group. You basically have to win your age group in a qualifier to go. If you look at the schedule only a few races (maybe 7) are qualifiers here in North America. Over 50,000 athletes world wide are trying to get 1 of 1,500 Kona spots, it is very very difficult. But, then there is the "roll down” where if you say...finish 6th in your age group and if the guys in spots 1-5 (in your age group) have slots for Kona - you win. I got in that way in 1989. It's not like Boston Marathon where you have to hit a specific time to qualify - but by position and available slots. There is also the lottery where they accept 200 athletes world wide, 150 from the USA. Being part of Ironman Boosters gives you a better chance. Of the 3 IM's I've done... Kona (2-times for me) is by far the hardest most difficult thing you will ever do in a single day sporting event. Yes - getting there is more than 1/2 the battle, but just when you think you are pretty good in other events you have entered you... will be humbled both by the other athletes and the conditions that mother nature will have in store for race day.
The heat and wind are legendary and really set the scene for the "World Championships" racing against the best of the best. I have seen 2:30 marathoners (some that are friends of mine) walking over 1/2 of the of the marathon course because they were spent big time. World class athletes drop out each year due to the conditions.