A performance-based analysis report from Women in Tri UK, a charity committed to bringing gender diversity to the sport of triathlon, has presented evidence that participation-based slot allocation models for the IRONMAN World Championship could significantly disadvantage high-performing female Age Group (AG) athletes.
With IRONMAN confirming recently that the World Championship would return to a one-day event in Kona, Hawaii from 2026 onwards, AG athletes across the globe have been buoyed by the news and planning their route to the Big Island for next year.
However the analysis, which draws on the results of 35 IRONMAN races held between May 2024 and April 2025, showed that women made up just 17% of starters, but represented a larger proportion of top-performing athletes – essentially high quality fields opposed to the men’s side which boasted a large quantity of AG athletes.
Women more likely to contend
The key finding from the report suggests that a woman who starts an IRONMAN is more than twice as likely as a man to finish near the front of her field. Yet under participation-based models, women will be less likely to qualify for the World Championships – because fewer women in the field overall leads to fewer qualifying spots available for the most competitive women.
The report defines “top performing AG athletes” as those finishing within 15% of the winner’s finishing time in their age-group and provides examples – which are part of a wider trend – of why it says a change in World Championship place allocation may be required.
- IRONMAN Philippines had only 22 women starters—just 5.85% of the total field. Yet 16 of them (73%) finished within 15% of their AG winner’s time, compared to just 25% of men.
- Even in races with a relatively larger women’s field, such as IRONMAN Texas, the pattern holds. Women accounted for 28.45% of starters and, strikingly, produced more top athletes than men in absolute terms: There were 94 top-performing women vs. 90 top-performing men. A total of 51% of the top-performing Age Groupers were women.
- IRONMAN Taiwan is another clear example. Women made up only 18.99% of the field, but a remarkable 38% of them were top performers, compared to just 8.5% of men. They also outnumbered the men in absolute numbers, 57 top-performing women vs. 55 top-performing men.
The report states “In many races, women receive far fewer slots despite producing a greater share of top performances. The outcome is a World Championship start list that does not reflect the true competitive landscape.”
“Based on this threshold, Women in Tri UK estimated a performance-based slot allocation across the 35 races, accounting for a guaranteed slot for each Age Group winner in both genders. This results in an average of 35% of slots allocated to women globally, with individual races ranging from a minimum of 25% slots at IRONMAN Frankfurt to a high of 50%—equal numbers—at IRONMAN Texas and IRONMAN Taiwan.
Journalist and Triathlon Expert Kelly O’Mara explained further: “The top end of the women’s field is already comparably as good as the top of the men’s field. What the women’s field lacks is a large quantity of middle-of-the-pack athletes—because those equivalent athletes have not been as welcomed into the sport and face ongoing barriers to access.”
The report concludes: “Women in Tri UK advocates for an approach that recognises performance. From the foreword by professional triathlete Tamara Jewett: ‘Applying different qualification logic to pro and amateur women sends the wrong message. If we want more women in the sport, we need to protect the few already here – especially those at the top of their game.'”
Constructive engagement with IRONMAN
Following the report’s initial release, IRONMAN and Women in Tri UK have been involved in “constructive engagement”, with the governing body confirming it’s intention to “review its proposed solt allocation model” in collaboration with the charity.
Women in Tri UK commented: “We welcome IRONMAN’s intention to review its proposed slot allocation model and acknowledge the constructive engagement we have had throughout this process.
“We are encouraged by IRONMAN’s willingness to listen, reflect, and engage directly with Women in Tri UK, and we look forward to continued collaboration.
“This report presents clear evidence that performance-based allocation more accurately upholds the foundational values of triathlon – fairness, determination, and equal opportunity – than models based primarily on participation.”
IRONMAN then added a second update: “IRONMAN appreciates the enthusiasm around our decision to bring our community back together, as we return to our historic roots in Hawaii for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. We also value the constructive ideas and feedback shared to further enhance the pinnacle event in triathlon, inclusive of research and consideration pertaining to slot allocation.
“As we’ve demonstrated over our history, IRONMAN’s path is evolutionary and we will continue to review data, seek feedback, and iterate as we further enhance our events.
“We have had very positive dialogue with Women in Tri UK and they are among a number of organisations and individuals that are important to the collaborative discussions necessary for the long-term growth of women in triathlon.
“We appreciate the time, effort, and thoughtful approach put into their research, and look forward to continued discussions with them and others as we consider our final approach to 2026 slot allocation – along with other ideas that can help grow women’s participation in the sport and shape a fair, competitive World Championship that excites and inspires both current and future athletes.”
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