Everything you need to know about the 2026 Ironman World Championship in Kona
We have all the information you need about the championship week and race day, including course routes, road impacts, spectator information and much more.
The Ironman World Championship returns in 2026 to the world’s most iconic stage and sacred grounds of Kona on the west side of Hawai‘i’s Big Island, where professional and amateur, age-group triathletes will etch their names into triathlon history.
The championship also returns to its roots this year, with men and women racing together on a single day, Oct. 10, marking the first single-day race since 2019.
Feel the spirit of champions past as men and women triathletes face the ultimate 140.6-mile test of willpower and endurance. The 2026 participants, just as tens of thousands of others before them, will swim in the turquoise waters of Kailua Bay, bike across the raw volcanic landscapes of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway and run under the radiant Hawaiian sun toward the finish line on Ali’i Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona.
Explore course details and additional information about this year’s Ironman below.
ROKA Swim Course: 2.4 miles
Experience the electrifying energy of the ROKA swim start as triathletes dive into the crystal-clear waters of Kailua Bay for a 2.4-mile swim.
With the majestic sunrise over Hualālai as the backdrop, athletes swim out-and-back in a clockwise direction encountering small swells and enjoying warm swim conditions.
The swim begins and ends with a surge of excitement fueled by the crowds of media and spectators as the Ironman World Championship journey kicks off.
ZOOT Bike Course: 112 miles
This renowned 112-mile ZOOT bike route travels from Kailua-Kona to the Hāwī turnaround and back on iconic Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway.
Despite a challenging elevation gain, exposed terrain and strong crosswinds, athletes will find peace in the captivating views of lava fields, coastlines and ocean.
HOKA run course: 26.2 miles
The HOKA run course, Ironman’s final leg, is an out-and-back marathon that goes past the spirited crowds on Aliʻi Drive up Palani Road to Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, leading to the HOST Park at Natural Energy Laboratory Hawaiʻi Authority.
Runners navigate a rolling course with intermittent steep stretches followed by a triumphant return along the highway and a grand finale that includes a victorious lap through Kona town, culminating in the exhilaration of the Ironman World Championship finish line.
Bike Safety
Note: There is no riding on the south of Kona town while training on the island for the safety of Ironman participants and others. Watch a video about training safety on YouTube.
Road Impacts
Click on the link above to discover more.
2026 Competition Rules
Ironman reissues its global competition rules each year and provides necessary updates.
The main updates for the 2026 rules relate to the bike draft zone for professional athletes, equipment specifications and terminology around the Para Open Division.
Click here to find more information.
Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 3
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 6 to 7 a.m. | Kona Town Fun Run Athlete Check-In | Hale Hālāwai, Aliʻi Drive |
| 6:30 to 10 a.m. | IRONInfo Booth | Kailua Pier |
| 7:30 a.m. | Kona Town Fun Run | Hale Hālāwai, Aliʻi Drive |
| 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Official Ironman Store – Store 2 | In front of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort |
| 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Official Ironman Store – Main Store | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Parking Lot |
| 2 to 4 p.m. | Hoʻāla Training Swim Packet Pickup | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Conference Room 6 |
Sunday, Oct. 4
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 5:30 to 6:45 a.m. | Hoʻāla Training Swim Packet Pickup | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Honu’s Lawn |
| 6:30 to 11 a.m. | IRONInfo Booth | Kailua Pier |
| 7 a.m. | Hoʻāla Ironman Training Swim – 2.4 miles | Kamakahonu Beach |
| 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Official Ironman Store – Store 2 | In front of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort |
| 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Official Ironman Store – Main Store | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Parking Lot |
Monday, Oct. 5
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 6 to 9 a.m. | Precision Fuel and Hydration Practice Swim Bag Drop | Kailua Pier |
| 6:30 to 10 a.m. | IRONInfo Booth | Kailua Pier |
| 7 to 10 a.m. | AG1 Live Aloha Coffee Boat (get your free AG1) | Kailua Bay |
| 7 a.m. to noon | Active Release Technique (ART) | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Honu’s Lawn |
| 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Official Ironman Store – Store 2 | In front of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort |
| 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Volunteer Check-In | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Mākeke Room |
| 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Ironman Information Center/Lost and Found/ʻOhana | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Conference Room 6 |
| 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Official Ironman Store – Main Store | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Parking Lot |
| 6 to 8 p.m. | Heroes of Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Cultural Legacy) | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Lū’au Grounds |
Tuesday, Oct. 6
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 6 to 9 a.m. | Precision Fuel and Hydration Practice Swim Bag Drop | Kailua Pier |
| 6:30 to 11 a.m. | IRONInfo Booth | Kailua Pier |
| 7 to 10 a.m. | AG1 Live Aloha Coffee Boat (get your free AG1) | Kailua Bay |
| 7 a.m. to noon | Active Release Technique (ART) | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Honu’s Lawn |
| 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Official Ironman Store – Store 2 | In front of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort |
| 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | IRONKIDS Keiki Dip-n-Dash Registration | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Canoe Landing |
| 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Athlete Check-In | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Ballrooms 2, 3, 4 |
| 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Accreditation Office | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Conference Room 5 |
| 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | VIP Guest Services | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Ballroom 1 |
| 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Media Center | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Paddlers |
| 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Volunteer Check-In | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Mākeke Room |
| 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Ironman Information Center/Lost and Found/ʻOhana | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Conference Room 6 |
| 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Official Ironman Store – Main Store | King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort Parking Lot |
| Noon to 7 p.m. | Ironman Village | Hale Hālāwai, Aliʻi Drive |
| Noon to 7 p.m. | PlayTri Triathlon & Bike Tech Service Center | Hale Hālāwai, Aliʻi Drive |
| Noon to 7 p.m. | Under Pants Run Registration and Packet Pickup | Hale Hālāwai, Aliʻi Drive |
| 4 p.m. | IRONKIDS Keiki Dip-n-Dash | Kaʻahumanu Place |
| 5 p.m. (athletes gather at 4 p.m.) | Parade of Nations | Kailua Bay to Hale Hālāwai via Aliʻi Drive |
Solid Waste Facility Closures
West Hawaiʻi Sanitary Landfill and Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station will be closed Oct. 10 because of the Ironman World Championship. Regular operations and services are scheduled to resume at the following dates and times:
- Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station: 6 a.m. Oct. 11.
- West Hawai‘i Sanitary Landfill: 7 a.m. Oct. 12.
Click here or call Hawaiʻi County Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division at 808-961-8270 for locations and operating hours of solid waste facilities and additional information.
Welcome, Kona and Hawaiʻi Island Communities
Ironman World Championship, the pinnacle event of Ironman Triathlon Series race season, since its inception in 1978 has etched its name in history through stellar athletic performances, inspirational participants, emotional stories and the unique and magical setting of Hawaiʻi, where it all unfolds.
It is the most iconic endurance sporting event in the world and culmination of 40 global Ironman events with more than 94,000 athletes around the world striving for one of the coveted qualifying slots, ultimately crowned Ironman World Champion.
Spectator Information
There are plenty of places to catch all the action during the Oct. 10 Ironman World Championship men and women’s races. You can also watch the races online if you can’t make it to Kailua-Kona in-person.
Click here for additional information.
Get Involved
You can even be part of the Ironman ʻohana by volunteering and experience the race up close.
From energizing athlete aid stations to celebrating the incredible finish, you’ll join a passionate community, create memories and make an impact.
Click here to learn more about volunteering to help during the iconic triathlon.
Find More Information
Visit the official Ironman World Championship website and follow the event on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube and Strava.
