The Ironman Triathlon World Championship is an annual long-distance triathlon race organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC). The race is held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and consists of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride, and a 26.22-mile (42.20 km) marathon run, raced in that order and without a break. The event is typically held in October. The Ironman World Championship has been held annually in Hawaii since 1978, with an additional race in 1982. The most successful male and female athletes at the Ironman World Championship are Mark Allen and Chrissie Wellington, each of whom has won the race six times.
There are several ways to qualify for the Ironman World Championship:
- Ironman Lottery: Athletes can enter a lottery to gain entry into the race. The lottery is open to all athletes who have completed at least one Ironman race in the current or previous calendar year.
- Ironman Regional Championships: Athletes can qualify by competing in one of the Ironman Regional Championship races (held in North America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and Australia) and earning a slot to the World Championship.
- Ironman Legacy Program: Athletes who have completed a certain number of Ironman races over the years can qualify for the World Championship through the Ironman Legacy Program.
- Ironman 70.3 World Championship: Athletes can qualify for the Ironman World Championship by competing in one of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship Qualifying races and earning a slot to the World Championship.
It’s worth noting that the number of slots available for each of the above categories varies from year to year and also the race regulations are subject to change by the organizer.
Ironman events are organized by World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) and are held all over the world. Some of the popular locations for Ironman events include:
- Europe: Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, Ironman Wales, Ironman Lanzarote, Ironman Barcelona and Ironman Zurich Switzerland
- North America: Ironman Florida, Ironman Coeur d’Alene, Ironman Lake Placid, Ironman California and Ironman Canada
- Asia: Ironman Western Australia, Ironman Taiwan, Ironman Malaysia, Ironman Philippines, Ironman China, Ironman Japan and Ironman South Korea
- Africa: Ironman South Africa and Ironman African Championship
- Oceania: Ironman Australia, Ironman New Zealand and Ironman Western Australia
- Latin America: Ironman Brazil, Ironman Argentina, Ironman Chile and Ironman Brazil
It’s worth noting that the locations and dates of Ironman events are subject to change, and the list above is not exhaustive, as the World Triathlon Corporation continuously adds new events. You can check the official Ironman website (www.ironman.com) for the most up-to-date information on Ironman events happening around the world.
Ironman World Championship Overall Winners:
1978: Gordon Haller – 11:46:58
1979: John Dunbar – 10:58:24
1980: Dave Scott – 9:24:33
1981: John Dunbar – 9:20:26
1982: Dave Scott – 8:34:55
1983: Scott Tinley – 8:39:03
1984: Scott Tinley – 8:30:02
1985: Scott Tinley – 8:18:13
1986: Dave Scott – 8:22:17
1987: Mark Allen – 8:09:15
1988: Mark Allen – 8:17:40
1989: Mark Allen – 8:08:17
1990: Mark Allen – 8:09:15
1991: Mark Allen – 8:13:24
1992: Mark Allen – 8:09:07
1993: Dave Scott – 8:24:08
1994: Tim DeBoom – 8:24:27
1995: Timothy O’Donnell – 8:21:16
1996: Peter Reid – 8:18:56
1997: Peter Reid – 8:18:24
1998: Peter Reid – 8:22:17
1999: Peter Reid – 8:19:36
2000: Tim DeBoom – 8:23:31
2001: Tim DeBoom – 8:24:07
2002: Tim DeBoom – 8:22:24
2003: Tim DeBoom – 8:22:35
2004: Normann Stadler – 8:17:45
2005: Faris Al-Sultan – 8:15:34
2006: Craig Alexander – 8:03:56
2007: Chris McCormack – 8:10:37
2008: Craig Alexander – 8:03:56
2009: Chrissie Wellington – 8:54:02
2010: Mirinda Carfrae – 8:52:14
2011: Craig Alexander – 8:03:56
2012: Pete Jacobs – 8:18:37
2013: Frederik Van Lierde – 8:12:29
2014: Sebastian Kienle – 8:14:18
2015: Jan Frodeno – 8:14:40
2016: Jan Frodeno – 8:06:30
2017: Patrick Lange – 8:01:40
2018: Jan Frodeno – 8:15:28
2019: Jan Frodeno – 8:14:40
2020: Jan Frodeno – 8:09:38
2021: Jan Frodeno – 8:08:15
2022: Gustav Iden – 7:40:24
Female Winners
1978: Lyn Lemaire – 13:36:14
1979: Julie Moss – 17:00:00
1980: Kathleen McCartney – 13:18:00
1981: Kathleen McCartney – 12:51:00
1982: Julie Moss – 13:00:00
1983: Julie Moss – 12:50:00
1984: Jocelyn LeBlanc – 12:26:00
1985: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:58:00
1986: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:45:00
1987: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:40:00
1988: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:49:00
1989: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:32:00
1990: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:24:00
1991: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:25:00
1992: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:28:00
1993: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:24:00
1994: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:19:00
1995: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:17:00
1996: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:23:00
1997: Paula Newby-Fraser – 11:22:00
1998: Michellie Jones – 11:17:00
1999: Natascha Badmann – 11:51:00
2000: Natascha Badmann – 11:40:00
2001: Natascha Badmann – 11:38:00
2002: Natascha Badmann – 11:49:00
2003: Natascha Badmann – 11:52:00
2004: Natascha Badmann – 11:52:00
2005: Natascha Badmann – 11:46:00
2006: Chrissie Wellington – 9:08:45
2007: Chrissie Wellington – 9:09:13
2008: Chrissie Wellington – 9:06:23
2009: Chrissie Wellington – 9:08:45
2010: Chrissie Wellington – 9:06:23
2011: Chrissie Wellington – 9:06:23
2012: Leanda Cave – 9:12:14
2013: Mirinda Carfrae – 9:17:00
2014: Mirinda Carfrae – 9:19:35
2015: Daniela Ryf – 8:57:57
2016: Daniela Ryf – 9:08:14
2017: Daniela Ryf – 9:01:40
2018: Daniela Ryf – 8:57:48
2019: Daniela Ryf – 8:57:40
2020: Daniela Ryf – 8:50:18
2021: Daniela Ryf – 8:46:47
2021: Chelsea Sodaro – 8:33:46