Search
shop

Olympian and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship medalist to go all in on Kona in 2024

Star reveals his plans and main target for the 2024 triathlon season.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

With the world of triathlon preparing for a blockbuster season in 2024, the sport’s professionals have a number of big decisions to make as they plan the year ahead.

As one of triathlon’s most versatile stars, with racing experience ranging from Super League Triathlon all the way up to the Ironman, American Ben Kanute has the capabilities to turn his hand to any of a number of opportunities.

Speaking with TRI247, the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship runner-up explained that despite the various options on offer, winning the crown jewel of triathlon, Kona, would be his primary target.

Advertisement

“It’s what I grew up watching and wanting to win”

Having made his full distance debut at IRONMAN Arizona in 2022, where he secured an IRONMAN World Championship slot that was deferred to Kona 2024, Kanute has had his eye on a showdown on the Big Island of Hawai’i for some time.

Ben Kanute 2nd at IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship 2022
Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for IRONMAN

“Kona is one of, if not the biggest races in triathlon. It’s what I grew up watching and wanting to win, and I am super motivated to take it on.”

Despite being relatively new to the distance, having only raced two Ironmans in his career, Kanute is not discouraged, stating that whilst a record day will be required to win in October, his inexperience means he has plenty of room to improve.

“[It will take] a record day [to win]. The sport isn’t getting slower and I’m training to improve across the board. I’m fairly new to Ironman, so I feel I can improve quite a bit.”

“I want to keep building throughout the season”

Having raced all three of the PTO Tour events last year, Kanute hopes to take part in the series again this season, with the races set to serve as building blocks for his Kona ambitions.

Ben Kanute and Kristian Blummenfelt on the run - IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship 2022
Photo: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN

“Kona is the big build but I have lots of racing planned before. I want to keep building throughout the season. 

“The PTO series is looking like the best option for me where I will get to race the best and continue to push the limit, but also have enough time to recover and prepare for Kona.”

On his current form, Kanute reports that he is in a good place, with his fitness in a good place compared to the same time of year in seasons gone by.

“I’ve been building steadily and look to start the season strong. There is still a lot of fitness to find, but I am in a better spot right now at this point in the year than I have been for more than a few years.”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
Alistair Brownlee - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
Olympic triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee completes iconic Gralloch race in latest gravel test
Jeanne Lehair Beth Potter WTCS Yokohama 2025
From Olympic heartbreak to joy of first WTCS win as emotions flow for Jeanne Lehair
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...