Ironman 70.3 races into West Hawai‘i this weekend; motorists urged to plan accordingly

The 2026 Ironman 70.3 Hawai‘i races into West Hawai‘i this Saturday, May 30, at Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i on the Kohala Coast.

Ironman 70.3 Hawai‘i — affectionately nicknamed Honu in honor of the Hawaiian green sea turtle — offers something no other Ironman 70.3 event does: age group qualifying slots to Kona.

It’s a unique pathway that combines performance, opportunity and the magic of the Big Island.

The triathlon also is a chance take in one of the most spectacular races on the international Ironman circuit.

A portion of the bike race during this weekend’s event includes Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway as athletes head toward Hāwī. Motorists are asked to plan accordingly and anticipate slowing down for the racers as they head north to Kohala Road.

Race day schedule

Visit the Ironman 70.3 website for additional details.

The race starts, of course, with the 1.2-mile swim stage at Pauoa Bay as the athletes swim through crystal clear waters of the Pacific Ocean as the sun rises over the island.

After the first transition, participants then hop on their bicycles for a nearly 56-mile bike course over the northern portion of the Ironman World Championship course.

As athletes climb to about half a mile in elevation gain on their way to Hāwī, they will experience the rolling hills of Kohala as well as barren lava fields, with gorgeous 360-degree views of the island following them on the entire ride.

The bike course finishes back on the grounds of host hotel Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i.

Athletes then hit the ground running — following a second transition — for about 13 miles, with an elevation gain of about 0.12 of a mile.

The 2 loop, picturesque run takes athletes on the pristine Mauna Lani Golf Course, through rolling lava fields and out-and-back on Ho‘ohana Road before running through the beautiful seascape finish line at Honu Pointe again on the Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i grounds.

This is the moment for triathletes who ever dreamed of racing on triathlon’s most iconic stage — the Ironman World Championship in Kona. This is their moment.

Athletes have the opportunity to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship AND Ironman World Championship, which returns later this year to Kona.

Honu has 24 qualifying slots on offer for the big dance in October, plus there are 40 qualifying slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

Hawai‘i isn’t just a race destination either — it’s an experience.

Honu delivers:

• Aloha spirit: Athletes testify! Honu is where community and celebration are part of the journey. Athletes can immerse themselves in the warmth and culture of the Big Island.
• Course highlights: Swim in crystal-clear waters, ride along the Kohala Coast — including parts of the Kona course — with sweeping ocean views and run through dynamic landscapes. It’s challenging yet breathtaking — a true test of endurance — within the surrounds of a rewarding paradise.
• A luxe legacy: Honu is steeped in history — more than 20 years old. It offers a boutique race feel, convenient resort venue and closeness to Ironman’s core, hosted by the Ironman World Championship ‘Ohana.

There’s also an unforgettable post-race celebration. The lawn party at Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i makes it all worth getting to the finish line — each and every finisher is treated like a champion.

If you’re not one of those taking your shot to swim, bike and run in one of the world’s premier triathlons but still want to keep track of the field, you can download the Ironman Athlete Tracker app from Google Play for Android devices or The App Store for Apple devices.

You can also find race results and more information on the Ironman 70.3 Hawai‘i website.

You can also follow Ironman on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube to stay up to date with news and information about the triathlon.