Are the myths of Kona, just a clever marketing tool for Ironman to swipe millions of dollars from its fans?
First of all, as a fan of triathlon Kona holds a special place in my heart and the hearts of many. I have been there, seen the race and seen the person I was supporting win a World Championships.
But, there are huge amounts of people who go to the race knowing they are there to make up the numbers, and for the experience they get, is there a better option?
Of course qualifying for a World Championships is special. It takes dedication and shows a huge amount of achievement in your performance to take one of the coveted slots. But now T100, Challenge Champs and 70.3 World Championships offer this same prize, so if you’re in Europe is the 17 hour of flying and £10,000 cost worth it?
Other races around the world offer incredible experiences which could be described as “bucket list”. A trip to Busselton in Western Australia, taking on the hair pins of Alpe D’Huez, experiencing Solarberg at Challenge Roth and the light show in the stadium to name just a few.
But although the experience is there, none of those offer the World Championship status.
So if you’re going to pick a race you need to qualify for to chase. Then its T100 Dubai, 70.3 World Championships, Challenge Champs.
70.3 World Championships is an amazing race, its a great opportunity to see the community of Triathlon in place and close up. It’s well worth a trip!
Challenge Champs is great race run by great company. With a fast course and won by everyone again its worth a trip if you get a slot!
T100 “World Champs” in Dubai. Well is it genuine a World Champs? With zero history and heritage? and it might end up being anywhere other than Dubai at 2 days notice, so maybe in 10 years but right now not even close.
But the main thing is, all of these are missing a vital ingredient, being a “full distance”. There is something about having that title of being an IRONMAN and having a full day out against the elements and the competition. A morning out in a shorter distance just doesn’t cut it does it?
There is the heritage, the stories the woes. Millions watching those melt in the energy lab, seeing our heros run into the lead from no mans land. Watching the winds in Hawi and thinking god that looks awful. A remote lava Island thousands of miles from anything, with 40+ years of stories, loses and successes.
Having been there, watched, had a Lava Java shake and a Poke Bowl. The hype is real, the place is incredible. So yes people should chase Kona. IRONMAN realised the special nature of this and reversed the preposterous decision to move the champs to Nice bi-annually.
But, on the flip side. If you are a mid tier Age grouper, maybe the experience is for one or two times. Go see the other races, Roth is incredible and IM Portugal also in October is a corker of a race, or stand on the beach and listen to the Welsh National anthem chill your bones.
Don’t miss out of the best races to have repeat dreams. But, if you ever get a chance of a roll down. Shout “YES” at the top of your lungs and stick $1,250 on your credit card. Book your flights and pay an astronomical amount for accommodation. You won’t regret it. The myths don’t need debunking they’re carved in the history and heritage.
But my god, I really hope we see a Kona we all think of when they turn up in October. Bring on the massive cross winds, ramp up the temps and make it humid AF. Lets see a Kona where no records are broken and the Island wins again. May the best lady (this year and Man and Woman next) win, and conquer the Island and the World.