Celebrating Kona
A look back at some of the classic moments in Ironman World Championship history that Triathlon Magazine Canada has covered
Photo by:
Kevin Mackinnon
Were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes, journalists, fans and members of the triathlon industry would be congregating in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, for the Ironman World Championship today. For those feeling a bit nostalgic, we’ve put together a recap of some of our “Counting back to Kona” features we’ve published over the last two weeks:
Record setting years:
In 2018 Patrick Lange became the first man to break the 8-hour barrier in Kona:
Counting back to Kona: 2018 – Madame Pele offers a 40th surprise
That record would be broken the following year by Jan Frodeno. In 2019 we saw a German sweep of the race as Anne Haug took the women’s title:
In 2009 Chrissie Wellington finally broke Paula Newby-Fraser’s record on the Big Island:
In 2010 Craig Alexander regained his title and set a new course record, while Chrissie Wellington overcame the effects of a bike crash to take the women’s race:
Counting back to Kona: 2011 Alexander and Wellington recapture Ironman world titles
In 2016 Daniela Ryf shattered the course record, too.
Counting back to Kona: 2016 Ryf shatters the record, Frodeno leads a German sweep
Big days for Canada:
In 2017 Lionel Sanders came oh-so-close to taking the men’s title:
Counting back to Kona: 2017 – the game changer and runner-up finish for Sanders
In 2012 Canada’s Milos Kostic won his age category by a whopping hour and 40 minutes:
Kona Magic
Ever wondered why Kona is such a big deal? Triathlon Magazine Canada editor Kevin Mackinnon and The Life of Tri podcast producer Phil Wrochna try to fill in the blanks:
The Underpants Run has become a Kona tradition. Photo galleries from six year’s of undies running:
Counting back to Kona: Were those guys running in underpants?
Nailing the prediction
Chris McCormack remains one of the most charismatic (and controversial) champions. In 2010 we nailed our pre-race prediction, putting the Australian on the cover of the magazine in our September preview: