Search
shop

The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn

Not having all the IMWC races at Kona in recent years has unintentionally shrunk the global triathlon community.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

IRONMAN Group CEO Scott DeRue has underlined just how important the feedback from the triathlon community was in initiating a return to a one-day format in Kona for the IRONMAN World Championship from 2026 onwards, which has just been announced.

DeRue said: When it comes to the most important race on the triathlon calendar, we owe it to our community to listen to their feedback, to have the courage to try new things, and to make principled decisions that serve the long-term interests of the sport.”

The split locations for men and women since 2023 have also split opinion and DeRue admitted: “We may not always get everything right, but we will always be principled in our decisions, learn and be willing to adapt, and always put our athletes first.”

And it was one overarching aspect of the feedback which appears to have settled the issue, with DeRue adding: “While there is no shortage of ideas when it comes to the future of the IRONMAN World Championship, one thing is clear: a significant majority of women and men want the same two things – to race together, and do that at the beating heart of our sport in Kona, Hawai`i.”

Advertisement

One-day in Kona preferred

So delving into the numbers – and the research was extensive – what were some of the standout findings?

Let’s start with that desire to race together – a one-day event in Kona and a two-day event in Kona (as opposed to elsewhere, different locations etc) were overwhelmingly the two most popular options.

The one-day Kona option for age-group women was 58%, with the men at 66%. And it was more pronounced for the pros, with the women in favour at 69% and men at 78%.

IRONMAN say this was “consistent across all age groups and all regions of the world”.

Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Kona is a magnet for the world’s best triathletes [Photo credit: Getty Images for IRONMAN]

Numbers declined if ‘not Kona’

And what also appears crystal clear is that the lure of racing in Kona for age groupers massively outweighs Nice – or anywhere else for that matter.

IRONMAN admitted: “The ‘not Kona’ effect impacted both the men’s and women’s fields in the year they raced Nice.

“With take rates for qualifying slots for Nice being lower than Kona, more athletes are qualifying for and racing the IRONMAN World Championship after their first ever IRONMAN.

“Inadvertently, this has fueled an expedited departure from long-distance triathlon as athletes who reach the pinnacle of the sport – and fulfil their ambition of racing the IRONMAN World Championship – are 40% more likely to “retire” from long-distance triathlon than other triathletes.”

And the conclusion IRONMAN make doesn’t make pretty reading for anyone: “We are unintentionally shrinking the global triathlon community.”

Advertisement

Kona draws in the audience

Looking at the total event coverage and social reach, it appears that in the first year (2023) the split occurred, there wasn’t a huge discrepancy.

IRONMAN claim Kona was 15% higher at 42 million compared to 37 million. That year the women raced in Kona, the men in Nice.

But last year when it was the other way around, the difference was huge – 44 million in Nice and 160 million in Kona.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
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...