25 extra Kona slots for IRONMAN Wales

Chief Correspondent

The race isn’t an easy one, but for athletes qualifying for the IRONMAN World Championships at IRONMAN Wales, you have the benefit of more than 12 months to prepare for Hawaii. If that is a goal, your opportunity of securing you spot has just increased, with news that there will be an extra 25 place (a total of 65), on offer in Tenby on 10th September.


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Boost for IRONMAN Wales with increased Kona slots

IRONMAN Wales received a boost when it was announced that the race would be allocated 25 additional qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii taking the total number of slots available to 65. The iconic race on Wales’ west coast has become an athlete favourite and now carries the added prestige as a high-ranking qualifier to the world’s most famous triathlon.

IRONMAN Wales is known as one of the most challenging races on the IRONMAN calendar and to qualify for IRONMAN’s ultimate showpiece in Wales is an incredibly special feat. The additional slots now give athletes an increased chance of earning a coveted place on the start line of the World Championship – one of the highest slot allocations in Europe outside of the regional championship.

With IRONMAN Wales taking place in September, it is one of the earliest qualifiers for the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship. This gives athletes the opportunity to gain early qualification and allows them to plan their 2018 season well in advance.

IRONMAN Wales starts with a 2.4 mile swim on Tenby’s North Beach, followed by a 112 mile bike through the scenic countryside of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, passing by castles and iconic landmarks. The 26.2 mile run passes by medieval town walls with the beachfront providing an impressive backdrop for the marathon through Tenby.

Add to this some of the most passionate and engaged supporters in the world and you’ve got a race that ticks every box. A challenging course worthy of an IRONMAN, world-renowned supporters, unmatched atmosphere and now, 65 slots to the IRONMAN World Championship.

“We are delighted that IRONMAN Wales has been afforded the additional slots as a race of this size and stature is deserving of being a top qualifying race. To qualify for Kona at IRONMAN Wales is a special achievement and we are sure that our athletes will be eager to use the opportunity not only to qualify but to do so early for the 2018 World Championship,” said Lisa Dent, IRONMAN Wales Race Director.

IRONMAN Wales takes place 10 September 2017 in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. For more information and to enter visit the event website, www.ironman.com/wales.

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
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