#Ironman World Championship

The 80-year-old from New Jersey was the oldest finisher and winner of the 80-84 age group in this year’s Ironman World Championship in Kona on Oct. 11, 2025.

The first two Big Island triathletes crossed the finish line before 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Løvseth captured the title in her first-ever attempt, defeating Kat Matthews of Great Britain by just 35 seconds in the third-closest world championship finish in the sport’s history – men or women.

Approximately 1,600 triathletes competing from around the world took to the grueling 140.6-mile course. Waters in Kailua Bay were slightly choppy, highlighted pink as the sun rose over Hualālai.

On the eve before the race, the Big Island competitors were excited and hopeful for the day. For most, it will be their first time taking on the grueling 140.6-mile swim-bike-run course.

Reigning Ironman World Champion Laura Philipp of Germany will lead the professional field that includes two other Ironman World Champions: Great Britain’s Lucy Charles-Barclay and American Chelsea Sodaro.

Also, be sure to watch the video featuring members of Hawai‘i Police Department and how to be as safe as possible while the race is happening and during the last few days racers are in town.

Take a look at what’s going on today leading up to the big race day Oct. 11 in Kona.

Take a look at what’s going on today leading up to the big race day Oct. 11 in Kona.

The field is absolutely stacked, filled with world champions and Olympians, making this one of the most competitive lineups in recent memory, and while anything can happen, one thing is sure: the race will be a star-studded showdown.

What began in 1978 on the shores of Waikiki Beach has evolved into a singular quest to unearth the true potential of the human will and spirit.

Former Ironman World Champions Lucy Charles-Barclay and Chelsea Sodaro also will be competing in the grueling 140.6-mile swim, bike and run triathlon on Oct. 11 in Kona on the Big Island.

Athletes can start qualifying for the Kona race in August. The number of slots for the event has not been determined.

For the first time, Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection is partnering with Craig Alexander for this triathlon training experience, which will take place from March 9 to 14. People can sign up through February.

Kaiden Lieto, 21, of Kona reflects on his journey to compete in the Ironman World Championship in October and where he goes from here.

Among those volunteers was the Men of Pa‘a, a group of men in substance abuse recovery through community service and ‘aina (land) based work.

Despite hot and humid conditions, 16 triathletes finished the 2024 Ironman World Championship in under 8 hours, a feat that wasn’t accomplished until Patrick Lange did it for the first time in 2018.

Saturday marks the return to Kona for the men’s championship race, which last year was held in Nice, France, due to the new alternating sites format for men and women.

The changes aim to ensure the safety and smooth flow of the event while accommodating local community needs.

Starting this week, the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel will be operating at max capacity with its 455 rooms sold out as it hosts the 2024 VinFast Ironman World Championship.