Ironman Kona: Entrants, Starters, Finishers: DNS and DNF Analysis

Most triathletes spend years of dedicated training to take their performance to the highest levels to earn the chance to qualify for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The number of registered entrants -- more than 1500 who qualified, 205 lottery slots, former winners and select others -- has topped 1900 in 2010 for the first time ever. However, getting to the finish line on Alii Drive is far from guaranteed.


It's not uncommon for 10% of entrants, or more, to not start or not finish Ironman Kona, in any given year. Up to 5% of registered entrants may not present to start the race. Another 5% or so will start but not finish, and the DNF rate has ranged as high as 9% in 2004 and as low as 3% a year later, in 2005. Yes, Kona can be brutal one year, and, well, less brutal another. See our Kona 2002 to 2010 Swim/Bike/Run/Finish Times Analysis for examples. For more, see our complete Ironman Kona Hawaii Coverage.