Ironman Cozumel 2011 Results Analysis
In the third annual Ironman Cozumel, 2299 triathletes finished in an average time of 12 hours, 43 minutes. Nearly 2900 initially registered for the event, 19% did not start, and of those who began the race, 7% did not finish. The finish average of 12:43 will change Ironman Cozumel's position on our Top 25 Toughest Ironman Course Rankings List: the 13:11 time in 2009 placed it among the slightly more challenging races, but 2010 and 2011 times indicate Cozumel is more accurately ranked as about average in terms of difficulty.
The Long Run: Ironman Marathon vs Standalone Marathon
You've run a marathon, finished in a pretty decent time, and now have your sights set on racing an Ironman. What should you expect your ironman marathon time to be? We crunched the numbers and the results are in Triathlete Magazine's December 2011 issue.
A sneak peak is below. Short answer: add 20-30 minutes, for starters.
A sneak peak is below. Short answer: add 20-30 minutes, for starters.
For more, see our comprehensive marathon and triathlon stats and analysis section.
Ironman Arizona 2011 Results Analysis
More than 2200 triathletes completed the 2011 Ironman Arizona in an average finish time of 12 hours, 55 minutes. Of 2974 registered to compete, 21% did not start; of those who began the race, 6% did not finish.
At an average finish time of 12:57 overall from 2009 to 2011, Ironman Arizona remains ranked in the middle of RunTri's Toughest 25 Ironman Races list.
With a welcoming flat and fast bike course, the average bike split is only 48% of overall time (50% is the norm), but time advantages gained on the bike are lost on the run. The average 26.2 mile run split of 5:04 is among the slower one compared to 25 Ironman races.
At an average finish time of 12:57 overall from 2009 to 2011, Ironman Arizona remains ranked in the middle of RunTri's Toughest 25 Ironman Races list.
With a welcoming flat and fast bike course, the average bike split is only 48% of overall time (50% is the norm), but time advantages gained on the bike are lost on the run. The average 26.2 mile run split of 5:04 is among the slower one compared to 25 Ironman races.
Compared with Ironman Florida, Arizona's marathon split is 10 minutes slower and those 10 minutes represent the gap between finish times of both races. For more, see our complete Ironman Arizona coverage.
Ironman Florida Kona Qualifying Times Analysis
In most ironman events, the competition to qualify for Kona is increasingly fierce, but the qualifying times at this year's Ironman Florida proved to be the exception. In 2011, nearly 2500 athletes began the race, with as many as 500 hoping they might have a shot at winning one of the 65 available qualifying slots.
Qualifying times in 2010 were generally faster than in 2009, across most age groups. And it was generally expected that qualifying times in 2011 would be even faster. Surprisingly, is actually was 'easier' to qualify for Kona in Ironman Florida this year, as indicated by slower qualifying times in nearly every age group.
Adding an additional element of surprise were qualifying times in age groups that actually offered fewer slots in 2011 compared to 2009. We would have expected notably faster qualifying times in M35-39, which lost 2 slots, but that was not the case.
Ironman Florida 2011 Results Analysis
One thing you can count on at Ironman Florida is relative consistency in conditions and finish times. The average finish time in 2011 was 12:45, merely minutes from the 12:42 in 2010 and 12:37 in 2009. Of the 2921 who registered to compete, 19% did not start and 4% did not finish, Congratulations to those who finished . . . see how your finish time compared to your peers in our analysis below.
Also see our analysis of the correlation between bike and run splits, and more of our complete Ironman Florida Race Coverage. For complete results, ironmanflorida.com.
Ironman Kona Hawaii 2012 Lottery Entry
The World Triathlon Corporation, owners of the Ironman branded events, have dramatically revised the Ironman Kona Lottery Program for entry into the 2012 race. [Also see our analysis of 2011-2012 Kona Slot Allocation by Race]
In years past, the lottery program offered about 205 entries: 150 for athletes from USA, 50 for international athletes, and 5 for physically challenged athletes. From the pool of athletes who registered for the lottery in each of the three groups, lucky winners were selected, effectively at random.
For the 2012 lottery, 205 slots will again be awarded, and WTC made the laudable decision to attempt to give precedence to those who've demonstrated distinguished dedication, either by finishing 12 or more Ironman branded triathlons or by entering the lottery many times in previous years.
The first 100 lottery slots are reserved for those athletes who enter the lottery and meet each of these criteria:
However, I'm also convinced that the criteria are far too stringent . . . I'll be very surprised if many more than 75 meet all criteria.
For the official announcement, read on:
WTC Announces 2012 Ironman Lottery Registration Opening and Program Enhancements
Changes include introduction of Ironman Legacy Program and increased chance for lottery selection
TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2011) - World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) today announced the
upcoming launch of the 2012 Ironman Lottery. Opening tomorrow (Tuesday), Nov. 1, the
Lottery will feature two enhancements, including the new Ironman Legacy Program. One
hundred general age group athletes, 100 Legacy athletes and five physically challenged athletes
will be selected to compete in the 2012 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.
“As the popularity of the sport continues to grow, qualifying for the Ironman World
Championship becomes more difficult. More than 70,000 athletes are competing for only a
handful of coveted slots,” said Andrew Messick, CEO of WTC. “The Ironman Lottery provides
another way for athletes to enter the race and cross the finish line on Ali`i Drive.”
Beginning in 2012, athletes will have an increased chance of being selected for the Ironman
Lottery based on the number of years that they have entered. For each year an athlete has
registered since 2001, his or her chances increase accordingly. For example, if an athlete
registers for the 2012 Ironman Lottery and has registered for every lottery from 2001 through
2012, he or she will have 12 chances of being selected for a lottery slot into the 2012 Ironman
World Championship. Passport Club membership would give that athlete an additional chance
of being selected with a total of 13 lottery entries.
The newly launched Ironman Legacy Program will grant loyal Ironman athletes an opportunity
to compete in Kona at least once in their lifetime. One hundred Legacy winners will be chosen
by WTC and selection will be based on several criteria. To be eligible for selection in the
Legacy Program, athletes must have completed a minimum of 12 full-distance Ironman-branded
races, have never started the Ironman World Championship, have completed at least one
Ironman event in each of the 2010 and 2011 seasons and be registered for an Ironman event in
2012.
“Ironman athletes are incredibly loyal to our sport and we want to continue to find ways to
recognize that loyalty,” said Messick. “Kona is the symbolic and spiritual home of triathlon and
people deeply involved in the sport should get the opportunity to experience that. While many
serious athletes will qualify for a spot at the starting line, the Ironman Legacy Program is an
equally difficult but different way for them to get there.” Messick continued, “The new aspects
of the Lottery are meant to revitalize a program that’s part of our company’s rich history – one
that ensures athletes committed to living the triathlon lifestyle get their chance to follow their
dream to Kona. People who are serious about the sport deserve that chance.”
A mainstay in the history of Ironman, the Ironman Lottery began in 1983 thanks to the vision of
one of Ironman's founders, John Collins, as a way to provide athletes ranging in ability the
opportunity to qualify for the world's most challenging one-day endurance event. More than
7,000 athletes apply for the Ironman Lottery each year. In 1990, Ironman created the Passport
Club, open to athletes worldwide. In addition to other member benefits, the Passport Club gives
athletes an increased chance of being selected through the lottery by offering them one additional
entry.
Registration for the 2012 Ironman Lottery and the new Legacy Program will open at noon ET
tomorrow, Nov. 1, at www.ironmanworldchampionship.com and will close on Tuesday, Feb. 28,
2012. Winners will be announced on Sunday, April 15, 2012, at noon ET on www.ironman.com
To see a video of Andrew Messick, CEO of WTC, discussing his vision for the Ironman Lottery
enhancements, visit www.youtube.com/ironmantriathlon
For more information on the Ironman Lottery and the new Legacy Program, go to
www.ironmanworldchampionship.com or contact Lottery@ironman.com. For media-related
inquiries, contact Jessica Weidensall at Jessica@ironman.com
About World Triathlon Corporation
World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is a Tampa-based company recognized for athletic
excellence, distinguished events and quality products. WTC's portfolio includes Ironman,
Ironman 70.3, 5150 Triathlon Series, Iron Girl and IronKids, which have a combined total of
more than 180 events worldwide each year. Supported by partners including Timex, PowerBar,
K-Swiss and TYR, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world and has been a
respected name in triathlon since its inception in 1978.
# # #
In years past, the lottery program offered about 205 entries: 150 for athletes from USA, 50 for international athletes, and 5 for physically challenged athletes. From the pool of athletes who registered for the lottery in each of the three groups, lucky winners were selected, effectively at random.
For the 2012 lottery, 205 slots will again be awarded, and WTC made the laudable decision to attempt to give precedence to those who've demonstrated distinguished dedication, either by finishing 12 or more Ironman branded triathlons or by entering the lottery many times in previous years.
The first 100 lottery slots are reserved for those athletes who enter the lottery and meet each of these criteria:
- Finished 12 or more full-distance Ironman brand races
- Finished an Ironman brand race in 2010
- Finished an Ironman brand race in 2011
- Registered to compete in and finish an Ironman brand race in 2012.
- Have never started the Ironman Triathlon World Championship race
However, I'm also convinced that the criteria are far too stringent . . . I'll be very surprised if many more than 75 meet all criteria.
- It's not the 12 Ironman finishes. More than 100 can claim that number. But can more than 100 meet the next reqauirements?
- And by setting retroactive criteria, requiring a finish in both the previous 2010 and 2011 seasons, not all dedicated triathletes can race in each year.
- Add the next criteria: must race in 2012 -- which will require a $1000+ Community Foundation entry if the athlete is not registered, and the criteria gets more onerous financially.
- Finally, Something tells me that more than a few who've completed 12 or more Ironman triathlon finishes will have already raced in Kona, rendering them ineligible
For the official announcement, read on:
WTC Announces 2012 Ironman Lottery Registration Opening and Program Enhancements
Changes include introduction of Ironman Legacy Program and increased chance for lottery selection
TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2011) - World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) today announced the
upcoming launch of the 2012 Ironman Lottery. Opening tomorrow (Tuesday), Nov. 1, the
Lottery will feature two enhancements, including the new Ironman Legacy Program. One
hundred general age group athletes, 100 Legacy athletes and five physically challenged athletes
will be selected to compete in the 2012 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.
“As the popularity of the sport continues to grow, qualifying for the Ironman World
Championship becomes more difficult. More than 70,000 athletes are competing for only a
handful of coveted slots,” said Andrew Messick, CEO of WTC. “The Ironman Lottery provides
another way for athletes to enter the race and cross the finish line on Ali`i Drive.”
Beginning in 2012, athletes will have an increased chance of being selected for the Ironman
Lottery based on the number of years that they have entered. For each year an athlete has
registered since 2001, his or her chances increase accordingly. For example, if an athlete
registers for the 2012 Ironman Lottery and has registered for every lottery from 2001 through
2012, he or she will have 12 chances of being selected for a lottery slot into the 2012 Ironman
World Championship. Passport Club membership would give that athlete an additional chance
of being selected with a total of 13 lottery entries.
The newly launched Ironman Legacy Program will grant loyal Ironman athletes an opportunity
to compete in Kona at least once in their lifetime. One hundred Legacy winners will be chosen
by WTC and selection will be based on several criteria. To be eligible for selection in the
Legacy Program, athletes must have completed a minimum of 12 full-distance Ironman-branded
races, have never started the Ironman World Championship, have completed at least one
Ironman event in each of the 2010 and 2011 seasons and be registered for an Ironman event in
2012.
“Ironman athletes are incredibly loyal to our sport and we want to continue to find ways to
recognize that loyalty,” said Messick. “Kona is the symbolic and spiritual home of triathlon and
people deeply involved in the sport should get the opportunity to experience that. While many
serious athletes will qualify for a spot at the starting line, the Ironman Legacy Program is an
equally difficult but different way for them to get there.” Messick continued, “The new aspects
of the Lottery are meant to revitalize a program that’s part of our company’s rich history – one
that ensures athletes committed to living the triathlon lifestyle get their chance to follow their
dream to Kona. People who are serious about the sport deserve that chance.”
A mainstay in the history of Ironman, the Ironman Lottery began in 1983 thanks to the vision of
one of Ironman's founders, John Collins, as a way to provide athletes ranging in ability the
opportunity to qualify for the world's most challenging one-day endurance event. More than
7,000 athletes apply for the Ironman Lottery each year. In 1990, Ironman created the Passport
Club, open to athletes worldwide. In addition to other member benefits, the Passport Club gives
athletes an increased chance of being selected through the lottery by offering them one additional
entry.
Registration for the 2012 Ironman Lottery and the new Legacy Program will open at noon ET
tomorrow, Nov. 1, at www.ironmanworldchampionship.com and will close on Tuesday, Feb. 28,
2012. Winners will be announced on Sunday, April 15, 2012, at noon ET on www.ironman.com
To see a video of Andrew Messick, CEO of WTC, discussing his vision for the Ironman Lottery
enhancements, visit www.youtube.com/ironmantriathlon
For more information on the Ironman Lottery and the new Legacy Program, go to
www.ironmanworldchampionship.com or contact Lottery@ironman.com. For media-related
inquiries, contact Jessica Weidensall at Jessica@ironman.com
About World Triathlon Corporation
World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is a Tampa-based company recognized for athletic
excellence, distinguished events and quality products. WTC's portfolio includes Ironman,
Ironman 70.3, 5150 Triathlon Series, Iron Girl and IronKids, which have a combined total of
more than 180 events worldwide each year. Supported by partners including Timex, PowerBar,
K-Swiss and TYR, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world and has been a
respected name in triathlon since its inception in 1978.
# # #
Miami Half Ironman 70.3 Results Analysis
The 2011 Miami half ironman event stands out among the 40+ others on the 70.3 race calendar for 3 reasons:
- The most registered entrants: 2,995
- The highest DNS (registered entrants that did not start the race): 29%
- One of the largest improvements in year-over-year average finish time: 29 minutes -- from 6:18 to 5:51
Given the relative speed of this year's race, it's also a little surprising that the DNF (did not finish) rate exceeded 6%.
Of the 1982 triathletes who finished, here are the average times by age group.
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