Ironman, a Wanda Sports Holding company, announced today additional ways athletes can punch their ticket to the 2017 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i.
Notable opportunities include: the Ironman Kona Drawing to benefit The Ironman Foundation; The Ironman Foundation’s annual Kona auction on eBay; the Physically Challenged Open/Exhibition Division Drawing; and the Ironman Legacy program. To further reward some of Ironman’s most loyal and committed athletes, 100 additional slots have been awarded to participants of the Legacy Program for a total of 200 athletes in 2017.
Every year, more than 2,200 dedicated athletes have the chance to compete in the iconic Ironman World Championship on the Island of Hawai'i. It was there that Dave Scott and Mark Allen battled head to head in 1989's "Iron War." It was there that Ironman legend Paula Newby-Fraser earned her historic eight world championship victories in becoming the “Queen of Kona.” It continues to be where thousands of athletes have overcome illness and injury, fighting through their own—or sometimes on behalf of others'—mental, emotional, and physical hardships.
The historic finish line on Ali'i Drive has become synonymous with big dreams, and even bigger accomplishments. It is the place where the Ironman mantra, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE,” pulses through the beat of the Hawaiian drum.
Below are the various roads to Kona that are being offered for the 2017 season.
Standard qualification: Every year, age-group athletes compete in full-distance races globally for one of only a handful of highly coveted slots to the Ironman World Championship. This route demands a lot of blood, sweat, and sometimes tears, as athletes compete against their fellow age-groupers for slots. Each of the 40 full-distance Ironman races in the 2017 qualifying series offers a set number of Kona qualification slots, which are then divided up according to the size of the respective age-groups.
Ironman Legacy Program: The Ironman Legacy Program, now in its sixth year, rewards our most loyal athletes with a chance to compete in Kona. These athletes became eligible for selection based on having: a) completed a minimum of 12 full-distance Ironman races; b) never started the Ironman World Championship; c) completed at least one full-distance Ironman race in each of the 2015 and 2016 seasons; and d) registered for a full-distance Ironman race in 2017. This year, we have added 100 additional Legacy athletes to the annual 100 athletes selected, for a total of 200. The full list of winners has been announced.
Qualify in China: Once again, this year select Ironman 70.3 races in China will be the only half-distance events where athletes can qualify for Kona. Ironman 70.3 Liuzhou, taking place on April 1, will offer 30 qualifying slots. Ironman 70.3 Qujing, taking place on August 27, will also offer 30 qualifying slots.
Japan to Whistler to Kona: This year, 20 qualifying slots to the Ironman World Championship are up for grabs for Japanese nationals racing Subaru Ironman Canada. These slots will be allocated based on the athlete’s Age-Group Ranking upon conclusion of the race. More information can be found at www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2017/03/japan-to-whistler-to-kona.aspx.
Honu to Kona: In collaboration with the Island of Hawai'i Visitors Bureau, Ironman will be offering 10 slots to the 2017 Ironman World Championship. Any athlete who registers through individual entry for this year’s Ironman 70.3 Hawai'i by May 1, 2017 will automatically be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of these 10 slots (relays not applicable). For more information see www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2017/03/win-a-kona-slot-at-ironman-70.3-hawaii.aspx.
2017 Bonus Kona slots: This year, bonus slots to the Ironman World Championship were allocated to a few select races in different regions. Ten lucky athletes won the chance to race at Kona via a drawing relating to Ironman Boulder, taking place on June 11, 2017. Ironman Australia, taking place on May 7, 2017, provided a similar promotion with 10 entries to Kona and in the coming weeks, information will be provided on a special opportunity for athletes racing at Ironman Maastricht – Limburg on August 6, 2017.
Ironman Kona Drawing benefiting The Ironman Foundation: This year, The Ironman Foundation is offering 10 Kona slots through a drawing, with a suggested (tax deductible [in the USA]) donation of $50 to benefit the Foundation’s charitable givebacks in communities around the world. The drawing opened on Friday, February 24 and will finish on Friday, March 24, 2017, at 12 p.m. ET. Selected athletes will be announced on March 31. Additional information on the drawing can be found at www.ironmanfoundation.org/2017-kona-drawing/.
Physically Challenged Open/Exhibition Division Drawing: To honor the vision of Ironman co-founders, John and Judy Collins, Ironman remains committed to providing athletes of all abilities a means of entry to the world's most challenging and prestigious one-day endurance event. Through the Physically Challenged Open/Exhibition Division Drawing, five physically challenged athletes from around the world will be drawn to receive entry to the 2017 Ironman World Championship. Further guidelines and information will be available at www.ironman.com/pcdrawing. Registration details are forthcoming. Athlete inquires can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ironman Foundation annual Kona auction: For the 15th consecutive year, the Ironman Foundation will offer athletes an opportunity to bid on one of four slots to benefit the Ironman Foundation Community Fund as well as a special fifth slot auctioned off to support Women For Tri. Beginning on April 1, one slot will be auctioned off each week for five weeks on eBay. The first four slots will be 100 percent tax deductible [in the USA] less the standard race entry fee and will benefit The Ironman Foundation Community Fund (minimum opening bid of $25,000). For the second year, The Ironman Foundation will offer a fifth slot, also 100 percent tax deductible [in the USA] less the standard race entry fee, with 100 percent of the funds going to support the Women For Tri initiative (minimum opening bid of $25,000). This slot will be auctioned off once the auctions for the other four slots have concluded on April 29. Additional information can be found at www.ironmanfoundation.org/2017-kona-auction/.
Women For Tri: The Women For Tri initiative will also allocate one additional slot to a female triathlete who both a) embodies the spirit of Women For Tri through a compelling personal story that motivates and inspires other women “to Tri;” and b) raises or contributes at least $25,000 to the Women For Tri charitable, tax-deductible [in the USA] effort. This slot will be distributed via an application process. Additional information can be found here – www.ironmanfoundation.org/womenfortriwc2017/. For more information about the Women For Tri movement, visit www.ironman.com/womenfortri, join the closed Facebook group Women For Tri, follow on Instagram @whywetri or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ironman Executive Challenge: Once again, the Ironman Executive Challenge (XC) will be allotted 25 slots for the Ironman World Championship. Since 2009, Ironman XC has created true competition among executive peers by offering slots to Kona. Through a series of qualifying events, the program brings together executives at select race locations around the globe for a unique and ultra-personalized Ironman race weekend experience. Details on this can be found at www.ironman.com/triathlon/organizations/ironman-xc.aspx. For athlete inquiries related to Ironman XC, please contact Troy Ford at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
