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.

Ironman Lake Placid: Correlation Between Bike and Run Splits

It's the most consistent challenge in all long-distance triathlons: how hard to ride the bike, while still leaving enough in the tank to have a great run. When it comes to balancing the bike and the run, there are four groups:

1. Fast, Balanced: Rode fast along that fine line that also allowed a fast run
2. Energy to Burn: Ran a faster than expected after the bike, could have ridden harder
3. Rode too Hard: the Big Fear, riding too hard, and blowing up on the run
4. Smooth and Steady: longer bike and run splits on the way to a solid, if slow finish

You want to be with #1 or #4. Which group were you in at Ironman Lake Placid 2010?

Ironman Louisville 2009 vs 2010: Correlation of Bike and Run Splits

It's the most consistent challenge in all long-distance triathlons: how hard to ride the bike, while still leaving enough in the tank to have a great run. When it comes to balancing the bike and the run, there are four groups: 1. Fast and Balanced; 2. Energy to Spare for a fast run; 3. Left it on the Bike Course; 4. Smooth and Steady for a slow bike and slow run.

You want to be #1 or #4.  Interesting comparison between 2009 (chart below) and 2010: bike times were within 10 minutes of each other, but the run in 2010 was devastatingly harsh. Lesson: ride too fast, in good conditions or not, and it'll cost you on the run. Especially if conditions are hot. That's what happened in 2010, when far more triathletes found themselves in #3 and even #4. And being in #1 wasn't much better for those below the slope line. Also see our Ironman Louisville Impact of Tough Conditions Analysis.