Kona Race Week: The Stage is Set for an Epic Showdown
2,400 athletes from 85 nations have transformed the Big Island into triathlon's mecca ahead of Saturday's epic showdown.
As we count down the final hours to the 2024 Ironman World Championship, let's look back at an incredible week of preparation, tradition and anticipation on the Big Island. With 2,400 athletes from 85 nations ready to tackle triathlon's most prestigious event, this year's build-up has been nothing short of electric.
The Numbers Tell a Story
The sheer scale of this year's event is impressive:
- 2,400 male athletes registered
- 85 countries, regions, and territories represented
- 47% of athletes from Europe
- 29% from North America
- Average age of 46
- Oldest competitor: Warren Hill (NZL) at 84
- Youngest: Wojciech Poparda (POL) at 20
- 12 athletes celebrating birthdays on race day
- 46 U.S. states represented
- 16 athletes from the Big Island itself
Pre-Race Traditions
The week kicked off with the iconic HOKA Town Fun Run on Saturday, where athletes got their first taste of the Hawaiian heat during a casual 5km around Kona Town. Sunday brought the Ho'ala Training Swim, with over 900 athletes testing the full 2.4-mile ROKA Swim Course. Dutch professional Menno Koolhaas showed early form, finishing second in 50:57, while Australian age-grouper Sam Askey-Doran claimed the top spot in 50:31.
The AG1 Live Aloha Coffee Boat has been a daily highlight, with athletes swimming out into Kailua Bay for their morning caffeine fix - a uniquely Kona way to start the day. The crystal-clear waters have been hosting hundreds of athletes each morning, creating those picture-perfect moments that make Kona special.
"The Best Men's Race of All Time?"
Thursday's professional press conference brought together ten of the sport's biggest names, including our predicted favourites Magnus Ditlev, Sam Laidlow, and Kristian Blummenfelt. The atmosphere was charged with both respect and competitive tension, as former champions Patrick Lange, Blummenfelt, and Gustav Iden boldly predicted Saturday's race could be the most competitive in the sport's history.
The banter between athletes revealed both the camaraderie and competitive fire that makes this sport unique. As covered in our detailed athlete profiles, the dynamic between Laidlow and Ditlev particularly stood out, with both openly discussing potential race-day alliances. The Norwegian contingent, led by Blummenfelt, maintained their characteristic directness about their intentions to reclaim the crown, with Big Blu stating emphatically, "I don't want to wait another two years for revenge."
Cultural Celebrations
Tuesday's Parade of Nations was a vibrant display of triathlon's global reach, with 85 flags processing down Ali'i Drive. Led by the local U.S. Army JROTC Color Guard and accompanied by Hawaiian cultural dancers and drummers, the parade embodied the spirit of international competition that makes Kona special. The procession from the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Resort to IRONMAN Village created an electric atmosphere along Ali'i Drive.
The traditional UnderPants Run on Thursday morning saw over 800 participants take to the streets, maintaining its 26-year tradition of bringing levity to race week while raising over $36,000 for local communities. What started in 1998 as a protest against inappropriate Speedo-wearing has evolved into one of the week's most beloved events.
Inspiring Stories
This year's field includes some remarkable journeys to the start line:
- Billy Monger, a former racing car driver and double amputee, aims to set a new record for fastest finish by a double amputee on prosthetic legs (under 16:26:59)
- Johnny & Jeff Agar, returning to finish what they started after a DNF in 2016, showcasing the power of father-son determination
- Jonathan Pascual, racing despite a stage IV cancer diagnosis, spreading a message of resilience and early detection
- Brent and Kyle Pease, the first push-assisted team of brothers to finish in 2018, returning for another inspiring performance
- Michael Andreasen, standing at 4'7" with Hypochondroplasia, representing the Challenged Athletes Foundation
Shawn Smith
Champions Return
Seven returning age group champions from Nice 2023 are back to defend their titles, including France's Pierre Stiereman (M30-34), Germany's Christian Haupt (M40-44), and Kazakhstan's Alexandre Vinokurov (M50-54). Former Tour de France star Laurent Jalabert (M55-59) adds extra star power to the age group ranks.
An evening full of Ola Hou at the Aloha Reception took place at the breathtaking Hulihe`e Palace last night. Captivating speeches were given by The IRONMAN Group CEO, Scott DeRue, Mayor Mitch Roth, triathlon media legend, Bob Babbitt, reigning IRONMAN World Champion Sam Laidlow, queen of Kona, Paula Newby Fraser, and the IRONMAN Hall of Fame's newest Inductees Kathleen McCartney and Fernanda Keller
Final Preparations
Friday saw athletes complete their final preparations, with bike check-in at the iconic Kailua Pier transition area. The energy was palpable as defending Nice champion Sam Laidlow and podium favorite Magnus Ditlev racked their bikes alongside age-group athletes from around the world.
The E Komo Mai Banquet provided a final celebration before race day, with Ironman Group CEO Scott DeRue and Senior Vice President Diana Bertsch welcoming athletes to their Hawaiian ohana. Local cultural performances and inspiring video presentations reminded everyone of the privilege of racing in this sacred place.
Race Day Approaches
As the sun sets on the final day of preparation, all eyes turn to tomorrow's 6:25 AM start. With nearly perfect conditions forecast and a field stacked with talent, we're set for what could indeed be the greatest men's race in Ironman World Championship history.
The professional men's race promises to be particularly special, marking their return to the Big Island for the first time since Gustav Iden's record-breaking performance in 2022. With a $375,000 prize purse on the line ($125,000 for the winner) and what many are calling the deepest professional field ever assembled, Saturday can't come soon enough.
Whether you're backing Blummenfelt's revenge mission, Laidlow's bid for the double, or Ditlev's attempt at a first title, one thing is certain - we're about to witness something special on the Big Island. The combination of perfect conditions, a stacked field, and two years of anticipation for the men's return to Kona has created an unprecedented buzz around this race.
Don't forget to check our viewing guide for complete details on how to catch every moment of tomorrow's action, from the cannon blast at Dig Me Beach to the final finisher on Ali'i Drive.
The stage is set. The athletes are ready. Tomorrow, legends will be made on the lava fields of Kona.
