WHY IS KONA SO SPECIAL?

FROM THE IRONMAN WEBSTIE:

If you are a triathlete, there is no bigger day in this sport than the

Ford Ironman World Championship. It is the race that defined our

sport as it came of age, and continues to be the defining race

in our sport for any avid triathlete.

To get to the starting line in Kona,

you must either be very lucky and get yourself a spot through the lottery,

or very talented, and win yourself a qualifying spot at one of the qualifying

events held around the world.

Tens-of-thousands of triathletes try to get

one of those coveted Ironman spots every year. Only 1,700 succeeded.

That means 1,700 "lucky" people get to test themselves on one of the

biggest challenges the sports world has to offer ... 2.4-miles of swimming,

112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run through tough ocean waves,

and challenging lava-covered terrain.

While there are thousands of triathlons around the world, it is this one that

truly defines the sport. It was this race, first run in 1978 as a dare by a bunch of

Navy Seals that put triathlon on the world's sporting map. It is triathlon's Super Bowl, Wimbledon, World Series, World Cup, and Tour de France all rolled into one.

What makes this event so unique is that "average" people get to compete

alongside the best in the world.

MY RACE DAY INFO:

RACE #: 1379 Smith, Caroline F 36 W35-39 USA

YOU CAN FOLLOW MY RACE AT WWW.IRONMANLIVE.COM