Ford Ironman World Championship Qualifying

Ironman Qualifying Information

FAQ for the Ford Ironman World Championship

1. How do I qualify for the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship?

Athletes may gain entry into the Ford Ironman World Championship by earning a qualifying slot at one of the 29 worldwide qualifying events – open to citizens of all countries – held throughout the year. Qualifier races vary in length, ranging from 70.3-distance (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run) to full Ironman distance (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run). Each event awards Ironman slots to its top age-group finishers, with some races also awarding professional qualifying slots. Athletes may also gain entry by being selected through the Ironman Lottery. Please check  Lottery FAQ for more information.

2. How can I get a copy of previous Ford Ironman World Championship shows?
Please log on to www.ironmandvd.com to purchase previous Ironman World Championship DVD’s.

3. How do I find information about the qualifiers?
Log on to the Ford Ironman World Championship event page and click on View Athletes Qualified For.

4. Are there Clydesdale/Athena divisions?
Championship slots are not available for Clydesdale/Athena athletes.

5. What is the entry fee for the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship?

  • Entry Fee: $550.00 USD
  • Withdrawal requests must be received in writing via E-mail to Ann@ironman.com. Without exception, all requests must be received on or before August 31, 2009 to be eligible for a partial refund of $175.00 (USD). No refunds will be issued for request made after August 31, 2009. Transfers or deferrals are NOT permitted.

6.  What happens to the slots of people who qualify and later drop out?
Slots are non-transferable to another athlete and there isn’t a waiting list.

7. If a person finishes the Ford Ironman World Championship will he automatically be qualified for next years race?
Only the age group winners and top ten professional athletes are invited to return.

8. What is the date of the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship?
The 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship will be held on October 10, 2009.

9. Who do I notify if my address/information changes?
Please notify Ann@ironman.com

10. How do I qualify if there is no race in my country?
Log on to the Events page to view a full list of qualifying events closest to you or you may enter into the International Lottery if you are not a U.S. Citizen.

11. Who do I contact regarding travel to Kona?
Anthony Travel is the official travel partner of the Ford Ironman World Championship. For more information, please log on to www.anthonytravel.com or contact them direct at 1-866-913-7168

12. How do I determine whether I should race as an age grouper or professional?
You must declare your status, and race in that division. Professionals must hold a valid professional/elite card or a letter from their country’s federation. This must be submitted with the application.

13. If I qualified as an age grouper and then turn professional, can I still race and vice versa?
No. You must requalify as a professional earning a pro slot. If you race as a professional athlete during the calendar year, you may not race as an age grouper in IRONMAN for that year and the following year.

14. I earned a slot but can’t race. Can I give the slot to my friend?
Slots are non-transferable. Please contact Ann@ironman.com to withdraw from the event.

15. What age group will I compete in on the day I race for the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship?
Starting in 2009, the Ford Ironman World Championship and all qualifying events will implement both the International Triathlon Federation and USA Triathlon’s Age Group Competition rule: All age group athletes must compete in the age group division corresponding to the athlete’s age on December 31 of the year of the event.

16. How long are the distances in the Ford Ironman World Championship and what are the cutoff times?
The swim is 2.4 miles and the cutoff is 2 hrs. and 20 min., the bike is 112 miles and the cutoff time is 10 hrs and 30 min from the beginning of the race and the run is a full marathon which is 26.2 miles and the cutoff time is 17 hours from the beginning of the race.

17. What will be the official race drink?
Gatorade Endurance Formula, Orange flavor on the bike course, and Gatorade Endurance Formula, Lemon Lime flavor on the run course.

18. What is the date for the Ford Ironman World Championship in future years?
2008:  10/11/2008
2009:  10/10/2009
2010:  10/9/2010
2011:  10/08/2011
2012:  10/13/2012

19. What will be the official energy gel for the Ford Ironman World Championship?
PowerBar Gel

20. What is the official energy bar for the Ford Ironman World Championship?
PowerBar

21. What is the average time it takes an “age-group” triathlete to prepare for an Ironman?
Triathletes train an average of seven months for the Ford Ironman World Championship. The average hours per week devoted to training for the World Championship generally fall between 18 and 22. Average training distances for the three events:
Miles per week swimming: 7 (11.3 km)
Miles per week biking: 232 (373.3 km)
Miles per week running: 48 (77.2 km)

22. Where can I find the number of slots per age group at a qualifying event?
Please log on to the qualifying event’s official website to view the number of allocated age group/pro slots.

23. What is the timing system used for the event?
ChampionChip

24. Where can I see the list of people who Qualified for Kona?
This information is located can be found on the Ford Ironman World Championship page.

25. How do I go about obtaining official race photos from the Ford Ironman World Championship?
To review and place your order, please contact  Action Sports International at www.asiorders.com

26. Are there any “team/ relay”  Ironman events?
The Ford Ironman World Championship as well as Ironman qualifying races don’t offer a  “team/relay” category.
Ironman is an individual endurance event.

-from Ironman.com