Families made up many of the spectators who came to watch the athletes participate in the grueling 140.6-mile race.

All five men from the Big Island, including four from Kailua-Kona, finished the Ironman World Championship on Saturday in times ranging from 9:20:07 to 16:16:35.

In the men’s race, Vincent Luis of France won his first World Championship in his first try and last race while American Taylor Knibb won the women’s race after the leader collapsed with 1 km to go.

We have all the information you need about the championship week and race day, including course routes, road impacts, spectator information and much more.

Defending World Champion Solveig Løvseth of Norway heads up the elite women’s field, while German Patrick Lange, a three-time World Champion, is a sentimental favorite on the men’s side.

Five triathletes spoke at the Ironman World Championship Athlete Ambassador panel on Wednesday, where they took to the stage at the Ironman Village set up at Hale Hālāwai in Historic Kailua Village and shared their story and journey to Kona.

Violations of restrictions can result in civil fines up to $75,000, criminal fines up to $100,000, up to a year in prison and seizure of the drone.

Of the local competitors, one set up a training plan with ChatGPT and a goal “to finish,” another won a spot in the lottery, and others have been competitive in their age groups.

Triathletes competing in the Ironman World Championship hail from 85 countries and territories.

The new trailers will be converted into fully equipped clinical spaces to help fill the void while the health center undergoes extensive repairs due to damage from Hurricane Lala.

This year, 2,548 athletes, 110 of them professionals, are registered to take on the grueling 240.6-mile swim, bike and run course.

During the 2026 Ironman World Championship, Salomon will bring its first activation to Kona with an immersive pop-up at Kona Heaven on Oct. 7 and 8.

Competitors from the mainland, Germany, Japan, and Canada will be lacing up their skates for a weekend of thrilling competition, community spirit, and island vibes.

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.