The Kona Ironman World Championship is one of the most daunting challenges in all endurance sports. The competition takes place as a two-day event in Kailua-Kona on the big island of Hawaii. It covers a race distance of 140.6 miles (226 kilometers). Participants qualify for the Kona Ironman because it is the Ironman World Championship and is held once a year (typically in early October).

If you’ve had the amazing experience of qualifying for the Kona Ironman World Championships and are set to race on the big island of Hawaii, you are probably super excited, and perhaps a little terrified at the same time.

You’ve certainly seen plenty of videos of the race and know the conditions that you’ll be racing in. However, there are some things very unique about racing in Kailua-Kona that I have not seen in any other Ironman.

After racing it once, there are certain things I would do differently to have a better race. Knowing what awaits you will help you finish faster and race more confidently.

Race Week

1 Everybody looks fitter than you

The Ironman World Championship isn’t a normal Ironman. Everybody is super-super-super-fit. There are no exceptions. It’s freaky, and it can make you feel unprepared.

I had breakfast with Jan Frodeno and he mentioned that he doesn’t even stay in town before the race. Being around everyone else and having their low body-fat levels on full display can play games with his mind. He said that everyone starts looking fitter than him and he doesn’t want any doubt to enter his mind before the race.

Hearing this from pretty much the fittest person on earth made me realize how easy it is to get psyched out before the race even begins. At this point, we compared our abs, and he said he felt better.

2 Celebrities Are Everywhere

Those people you see on TV and in magazines are everywhere. Like everywhere. Try not to freak out if you are swimming next to a World or Olympic Champion, celebrity chef, or Tour de France green jersey winner. It’ll be ok. Just breathe.

While treading water at the start line, I literally saw Alexander Vinokourov (Olympic cycling road race champion in 2012) right next to me. Whoa.

3 Beware the Sun

I stayed in the race hotel – Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. It’s literally at the Kona Pier, which is perfect for race morning. You have to walk a lot of places though, so be prepared for this. The expo is fairly far away, and you might be outside more than you anticipated just from walking around.

NOTE – You probably won’t drive to most places. The big island is kind of desolate, and the main shops are along Ali’i Drive. Walking and biking are the normal modes of transportation.

Protect yourself from the sun at all times. A sunburn will ruin your race.

4 Vendors Are Awesome

I had a chain issue during one of my pre-race rides. I stopped by the Shimano tent to see if they could fix it. They quickly looked it over, slapped about $250 of new Dura-Ace parts on my bike, and said “Get outta here!” No payment or anything. Gave me a couple of new water bottles and a Shimano hat as well. They were awesome.

If you get in trouble before race day, find the vendor and explain your situation. I think they’re empowered to really go out of their way to be an awesome partner here.

Bike Check-in Is An Event

5 You’re On Display

You’ll walk through this line of vendors that are all scoping you out. There’s literally every vendor there looking at every bike, to see if their part is on your bike. Typically, if they find someone using their parts, they throw out more products to them as a reward or something. Quintana Roo was giving out free wetsuits to anyone riding their frames. It was crazy.

You then go through this line of photographers – like 50 of them – who are each taking photos of your bike. Later the magazines publish how many people are using each pair of cranks, tires, etc.

6 Meet Your Handler

Upon actually entering the transition area, you’re assigned a handler to guide you through everything. Things like where to hang your gear bags, how to run through transition, and finally where to put your bike.

They don’t use typical racks but use bike slots that your rear wheel fits into similar to ITU races. The handler will stay with you the entire time and answer any questions you might have. They don’t want anyone’s race ruined by not knowing something.

Race Day at The Ironman World Championships

The big day has arrived. What exactly makes this race different from other Ironman races and what do I wish I had known beforehand?

Race Morning

7 You Get Weighed

Get in line early for body marking. Handlers do pretty much everything for you. They put on race tats, and weigh you. I’ve never been weighed prior to any other Ironman. I expected them to weigh me post-race to decide if I need an IV, but they did not. Not entirely sure what the morning weigh-in was actually about. (UPDATE: I have been told that if you have to visit the medical tent they will weigh you to determine your IV needs.)

I decided to weigh myself after the race, and I was 9 pounds lighter. I certainly should have had an IV, but I instead opted to lie down in the shower fully clothed for two hours.

The Swim

8 The water is very salty

The water saltiness is higher in Kailua Bay than in many other places. Why is that? I have no idea, but it sure dries out your mouth. You’re going to naturally ingest some salt water during the swim, and it will begin to give you a sore throat during the race.

I had not experienced this previously, but it’s a serious issue here. By the time I got out in 1:20, my throat was very, very sore. I didn’t really swallow any water by accident, but I still had a strep throat-like sore throat from the saltwater. Be ready for that.

9 The water is warm

The water temperature is like 80 degrees Fahrenheit. No wetsuits, so everyone wears a swimskin.

I think with the saltiness of the water, it’s easier to get chafed if you have an ill-fitted suit. Be ready to apply ample body glide pre-race if this is you.

10 The Water Can Be Rough

It’s a single-loop swim,