Kai Ioh | September 2025
Every October, our usually sleepy seaside town of Kailua-Kona transforms into the global capital of endurance. The Ironman World Championship returns this year on October 11, 2025, welcoming nearly 3,000 of the world’s strongest women to compete on our lava-lined coast. For triathletes, this is the pinnacle — a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike ride through the Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, and a full 26.2-mile marathon that finishes dramatically on Ali‘i Drive. For all of us who call Kona home, it’s more than a race — it’s a tradition, a spectacle, and a reminder of the extraordinary lifestyle this island represents.
A Legacy Born in the Lava Fields
The Ironman began in 1978 on O‘ahu, but since 1981, Kona has been its soul. Our lava fields, trade winds, and heat make this one of the toughest courses in the world, and finishing here is considered one of the most iconic moments in endurance sports. Ali‘i Drive’s finish line has witnessed history — from record-shattering victories to emotional finishes that embody the Ironman mantra: Anything is Possible.
The 2025 Race: Women Take Center Stage
This year, Kona hosts the women’s championship, while the men race in Nice, France, a month earlier. It’s part of a temporary split format that began in 2023. But that doesn’t make this year’s event any less exciting. In fact, watching the world’s top female athletes dominate the lava fields is a powerful experience. Their endurance, strength, and grit resonate with everyone — athletes, families, and spectators alike.
In our household, Ironman is one of our favorite traditions. Every year, my family wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to watch the start. Helicopters buzz overhead, thousands line the sea wall, and the energy is unmatched. For a town that usually feels small and laid-back, Ironman week transforms Kona into a vibrant hub of cheers, stories, and inspiration.
My daughter even volunteers during the event, helping athletes and spectators. It’s her way of giving back — and of being part of something bigger than herself. For us, the Ironman is not just a spectator sport. It’s a family memory, woven into our lives year after year.
And while the pros cross the finish line around 2:00 p.m., the magic doesn’t stop there. The best moment, in my opinion, comes in the final 300 yards on Ali‘i Drive. Crowds swell, music blares, and runners — from seasoned triathletes to first-timers — find their final surge of energy. Spectators cheer until midnight as the last competitors make their way to the finish. To witness that determination up close is something you never forget.
Looking Ahead: The Big Change in 2026
Here’s the exciting news: starting in 2026, Kona will once again host both the men’s and women’s championship together on a single race day, just like before COVID. The date is already set for October 10, 2026, and anticipation is building.
Many in our community — myself included — feel this is the best way forward. It preserves the tradition, avoids the challenges of shutting down town for multiple race days, and restores that magic feeling of everyone competing together on the same course. Kona will once again be the one-and-only global stage for Ironman.
The Impact Beyond the Finish Line
Ironman week brings more than athletes. It brings families, global attention, and an energy that ripples through every corner of Kona. Hotels, restaurants, and local shops buzz with activity. Visitors discover our island’s beauty, from snorkeling in Keauhou to sunsets at Hualalai. For us locals, it’s a reminder that we live in a place where world-class sport, nature, and lifestyle intersect.
Yes, there are challenges — traffic closures, packed restaurants, and soaring hotel rates. But those are small trade-offs for the privilege of hosting the world. The economic boost is significant, the international spotlight is priceless, and the pride we feel as Kona shines on the global stage is something you can’t put a price on.
Final Thoughts
As we look toward 2025 and beyond, one thing is clear: the Ironman may evolve, but Kona’s magic endures. The return of the unified championship in 2026 will be a milestone — and I believe the best is still ahead.
For those who dream of making Hawaii more than just a race destination, Kona offers something rare: a lifestyle where endurance, community, and luxury all come together.
See you at the seawall this October.