In this week’s How Much Does It Cost section, we’re going to do the cost analysis of Kona, the Ironman World Championships. 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 1,800 succeeded.
That means 1,800 “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 (taken from IM website).
So first things first, you can qualify the legitimate way which is to win your age group at one of the many Ironman races or, do the corporate sponsorship way. Both are going to require a dip into your savings account.
Easiest way is a company forks over some cash for an entry into Kona. Unfortunately, I cannot find any info on qualifying this way. My guess is it isn’t cheap. Nor will your company do it for you. Qualifying it is!
That leaves qualifying through racing. Kona is typically reserved for athletes finishing atop their respected age groups. Top 3-5 usually gain the ability to pay for an entry. There is a lottery which is a whole other story (you do an Ironman race and then pay for a ticket and if they draw yours you get to go).
Picking an event that allows you to qualify is by far the most challenging. A lot of people fly to events where the competition is much less. Ironman Florida is a good example of this because it’s flat and in Pensacola (yeehaw Pensacola!).
So what race suits your abilities? Do you like hills? Flats? Heat? Early morning start? A good vacation destination? Whatever the case may be the entry fee to an Ironman is usually $500-$600 (US).
Race = $600
Let’s say you’re like the people here in Ottawa and have the luxury of driving to an event like Ironman Lake Placid. That’s going to save you a fair chunk of change.
Drive = $125
Housing = $80 x 3 nights = $240
Food = 3 days x 3 meals x $20 = $120
So a quick trip, a great event, and you qualify! Now, I think I heard the entry fee is similar to any other Ironman, $600 but I could be wrong.
Entry fee = $600
Luckily, Kona is in the fall which makes getting to Hawaii a little cheaper. I’m assuming if you’re going to this race than you’re going to take some time to enjoy it. A 10 day holiday of pain in the lava fields.
Flight = $1100 (per person)
Housing = 10 nights x $100 = $1000
Food = 10 days x 3 meals x $20 = $600
Car Rental = $200
Shwag = $100
Additional funds = $150
Well they didn’t say it was going to be easy… Let’s see what the tally for an event like this is: $3750 (for Kona), $1085 (to qualify). Total of = $4835
Yup, you should have taken up a cheaper sport. Like online chess. Stupid.
But it’s all about the adventure. You can’t put a cost on that can you? In this case I just did though… And $5K really hurts the bank account. Well, I’m going to have a chess match! Tootles!
LMS
You’ve gotta move out west. With the economy striving as it is, flights to hawaii right now are just over 300$.
You should do some of the more cost effective races, whats the best way to race but not break the bank?
Chess. heh. Funny boy.