Boston Marathon Bib Numbers: Tickets to Legendary Racing History

Boston Marathon 2012 bib numbers have been assigned. Among the more than 125 bib numbers I've collected from races over the years, Boston bib numbers are among the most special. When you get that bib number, it's more than just an identifier -- it's your permanent ticket to part of the history of the world's greatest Marathon. I've got 13 of them, and am proud to be a part of Boston's history. To find yours, visit Boston Marathon Entrants webpage.

Half Ironman Kona Qualifying Times, Slots, and Races

Each year, nearly 2,000 triathletes will earn or receive the chance to compete at Ironman's greatest race: the World Championship in Kona Hawaii, in October. About 85% of those triathletes will qualify in one of more than 30 Ironman or Half Ironman events.

The exact number fluctuates from year to year; in 2012, it appears that at least 27 Ironman and 8 half ironman races will offer qualifying slots. For example, the intended full Ironman New Zealand was shortened to a half ironman distance due to weather conditions; separately, Ironman 70.3 Japan has been added to provide Asia-Pacific athletes more chances to qualify.

The typical half ironman 70.3 event has 28 to 30 qualifying slots, which, when allocated across age groups, means that you'd probably need to win your division. or at least be in the top 3 finishers, to get that Kona Slot.

Do you have what it takes to race with the best for your chance to qualify for Kona at a half ironman event? Here's our analysis of the slowest qualifying time by division for six of the top half ironman distance races. 



To put these qualifying times in perspective, check our results analysis for each race on our Stats/Analysis page and our Toughest/Easiest half ironman 70.3 race rankings. For everything else, return to www.runtri.com.



Lance Armstrong Triathlon Training Camp: Ready to Train with the 7-Time Tour de France Champ?

Image by Raymond Britt
Lance Armstrong is as determined to excel in triathlon in 2012 as he was when he won seven Tour de France titles in a row. His long-distance debut, a second place finish at Ironman 70.3 Panama, was the first of many events Lance will race on his road to Ironman Kona.

He's out there, training hard every day, with the goal of winning the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Want to join him? Would you like to train for the Ironman Triathlon with Lance Armstrong?

Now's your chance. Lance is inviting 50 driven, determined and competitive triathletes to a 3-day training camp in Kona, Hawaii, May 26-28. Backed by Tour de Force and the Active Network, this program is the first north American program exclusively featuring Lance as well as several current and former triathlon superstars.

The experience is advertised as an exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime event, and undoubtedly that will be true. But the cost is also exceptional in a very different way: $25,000 per person. Those who can afford it will be happy to know that a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Hawaii charity.

Executives at Active.com say that beyond dedicating resources to charity, Lance also wants to use the event to raise awareness of the sport of triathlon, to encourage a wider range of individuals to challenge themselves to accomplish great things in triathlon.

Details from the official press release are below.

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – March 12, 2012 –Tour de Force and Active Network (NYSE: ACTV) today announced “Swim Bike Run with Lance & Friends” – an intimate training camp for cycling and triathlon enthusiasts around the world. The camp will be held at the Mauna Lani Hotel and Bungalows in Kona, Hawaii this May 26th through the 28th, and will offer participants a once-in-a-lifetime, three-day opportunity to train with champion sportsman, Lance Armstrong, and a team of triathlon super stars including Craig Alexander, Chrissie Wellington, Dave Scott, Greg Welch and Jimmy Riccitello.

The seven-time Tour de France Champion, now turned triathlete, Lance Armstrong said, “I’m honored to join with this incredible group of triathlon world champions to host this camp. I am looking forward to a very special weekend in Kona that I hope will be inspirational while also raising money for an important Hawaiian based charity."

Designed for athletes of all abilities, participants will experience a fun and memorable weekend involving swim sessions, group rides and an exclusive team dinner, concluded by a fun competitive relay-event. Net proceeds from “Swim Bike Run with Lance & Friends” will benefit the local Hawaii chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which aids in the research and education of Type 1 Diabetes.

“We are thrilled to bring together an impressive group of sports champions in support of a great cause,” said Joe Dutton of Tour de Force, Inc., the event organizer. “We expect to quickly reach our objective of recruiting a maximum number of 50 endurance sport enthusiasts who will leave Kona with lasting memories, new friends, and the knowledge that they made a meaningful contribution to those being helped by the vitally important work of the Hawaiian Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.”

“This is a phenomenal opportunity for endurance athletes around the world to energize their involvement in the sport,” said Dave Alberga, CEO of Active Network. “As an industry leader committed to growing the sport of triathlon, we are proud to be associated with this event, with Lance and with his team of triathlon icons.”

To learn how to participate in “Swim Bike Run with Lance & Friends”, visit: www.sbrwithlanceandfriends.com.
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