Women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kona by the numbers

For the first time in the event’s 40-plus year history, the spotlight will shine on female triathletes as Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, will welcome the first standalone women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon on October 14, 2023.

Over 2,000 female triathletes will embark on the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship journey in Kailua-Kona after the top male triathletes took on their edition of the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship on September 10 in Nice, France.

Among the female triathletes descending on Kailua-Kona this week, 53% of those registered to race are from North America, followed by 28% from Europe and 9% from Oceania. Latin America makes up 5% of the field, Asia 4%, while Africa and the Middle East account for 1% apiece.

The United States of America is the most represented nation with 976 registered athletes, followed by Canada (160), Germany (144), Australia (122), and the United Kingdom (112). Other athletes from countries as far as Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, New Zealand, Namibia, and Singapore are traveling from around the globe to race at the 2023 Women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Kona.

• Cullen Goodyear (CAN) is the oldest participant at 75, while Adrienne Bunn (USA) is the youngest at 18 (subject to change)
• 44 is the average age of all registrants
• Eight athletes will be celebrating their birthdays on race day
• This year’s field comprises five age group champions from the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship race: Brazil’s Ana Augusta Soares (F35-39), Czech Republic’s Jana Richtrova (F40-44), United States’ Liza Rachetto (F45-49), Canada’s Sharon Mackinnon (F60-64), and United States’ Missy Lestrange (F70-74)
• 49 US states plus Washington DC are accounted for, with the greatest number hailing from California (125), Texas (87), Washington (67), Florida (60), Colorado (51) and New York (44)
• 1,169 athletes racing in this year’s Women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon are IRONMAN All World Athletes
• 48 is the total number of qualifying races for the 2023 Women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon, two of which were new qualifying races for 2023 – the 2022 IRONMAN California race and the 2022 IRONMAN Israel – Middle East Championship race
• More than 5,000 volunteers will be on hand to help support the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship event in Kona

A release from IRONMAN added that… ‘Women have been an integral part of IRONMAN and the IRONMAN World Championship triathlon since the inaugural event in 1978, from IRONMAN Co-Founder Judy Collins helping to make the first races happen to owner and race director Valerie Silk moving the race to the Big Island and pioneering equal prize money for professional athletes.’

This year, IRONMAN celebrates Senior Vice President of World Championship Events Diana Bertsch’s 20th IRONMAN World Championship as leader of the event.

“We are thrilled to welcome a record number of female athletes to beautiful Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, for the first ever dedicated women’s IRONMAN World Championship race,” said Bertsch, Senior Vice President of World Championship Events at The IRONMAN Group.

“From its humble beginnings in 1978, the IRONMAN World Championship event has witnessed spectacular performances and epic battles to the finish line from some of the best in sport, including significant and impactful women.

“In 2023 this iconic global sporting event will shine a spotlight on the very best female professional and age group triathletes as they become part of the rich legacy of women who have raced before them. Our team is ready to ensure it is the experience of a lifetime.”

Beginning in the waters of Kailua Bay, athletes taking part in the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship will tackle the 2.4-mile (3.8km) ROKA swim course before heading out on the 112-mile (180.2km) FulGaz bike course, renowned for its historic long sustained climbs, strong crosswinds, and exposed terrain.

The final leg of their race sees athletes take on the 26.2-mile (42.2km) HOKA run course, an out-and-back route that takes athletes past the crowds on Ali`i Drive, up Palani Road to the Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway which leads them to the long-awaited HOST Park at the National Energy Laboratory Hawai`i Authority (NELHA). Athletes will complete their journey as they cross the historic Ali`i Drive finish line.

www.ironman.com