The new date for the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii, which was originally scheduled for October, will now take place on February 6, 2021. This is significant because it’s the original race month when the event first took place over 40 years ago in Kailua-Kona.
The new date for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in New Zealand, which was originally scheduled for November, will now take place some time in early 2021.
Each year more than 94,000 athletes vie for slots to the IRONMAN World Championship, with approximately 2,500 of them making it to the starting line on race day. A study by Markrich Research estimated that the total economic impact of last year’s World Championship was $72 million.
“Although the economic impact is an important consideration for our local community, we understand and respect the decision to push back the Ironman World Championships to Feb. 2021,” Wendy Laros, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce executive director, said in an email. “With arrivals of 20,000 in past events, Ironman athletes, supporters, families and friends fly with our airlines, stay at our hotels, shop at our retail stores, dine at local restaurants and tour with local companies whether snorkeling, diving, hiking or sightseeing.”
Each year more than 200,000 athletes compete for a slot to the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, with over 5,000 of them making it to the starting line on race day. This years race in Taupo, New Zealand was expected to create a total economic impact of $20 million NZD.
“This was no doubt a difficult decision, but the most important thing is that we as a community are ready to welcome these athletes when the time is right. We are proud to be home to the iconic IRONMAN New Zealand triathlon and are ready to showcase exactly why that is to the rest of the world. Bring on 2021,” said Taupo District Mayor David Trewavas.
As a result of the postponements, the qualifying window for both events has been extended to provide additional opportunities. Details can be found at http://www.ironman.com/im-world-championship and www.ironman.com/im703-world-championship.