Race Week Activities Start at Kona; Asia Well-Represented at 2022 Ironman World Championships

Image Credits: Donald Miralle for Ironman/Rafael Silerio from Spektra Productions

Race week for the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship kicked off Sunday in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i and with it, the plethora of activities and events.

In the return of world’s most iconic endurance sports event, which is taking place for the first time in a two-day format on Thursday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 8, the excitement is Kona is palpable.

Ho`ala IRONMAN<sup>®</sup> Training Swim
It was a busy day in Kailua Bay starting with the Ho`ala IRONMAN^® Training Swim. With a 7:00 AM start, athletes took advantage of the opportunity to experience the ROKA 2.4-mile ocean swim course ahead of race day. While some used the morning to get in the race day mindset, others enjoyed their morning coffee in Kailua Bay.

IRONKIDS^® Keiki Dip-n-Dash
The start line on Ali’i Drive near Kailua Pier was buzzing Sunday afternoon, as future IRONMAN athletes lined up to race the IRONKIDS^® Keiki Dip-n-Dash. With three different distances to choose from – a 0.25-mile run, a 1-mile run, and a swim-run combo – there was a race for kids of all ages. The IRONKIDS Keiki Dip-n-Dash offers young athletes the opportunity to feel the excitement of competition while enjoying the outdoors, promoting healthy living, and learning about clean sport. Each athlete received a race bib, finisher shirt, medal, goodie bag and the pride of calling themselves an IRONKID!

Big Delegation from Asia Region

The pandemic provided an opportunity for Asian countries to have a bigger than usual representation at this Kona Ironman World Championships.  With some Ironman races being relegated to a mostly-local race, and travel restrictions still in effect in the early part of the year, local age groupers were able to benefit by having bigger chances to qualify.

Japan has always been the biggest Asian representation in Kona and it still holds true this week with 64 athletes.  Taiwan has 47 athletes in the list followed by Philippines with 37.  In total, more than 220 athletes came from the Asia region.