More than 2,400 registered male triathletes from around the world will gather on Kona for the 2024 Ironman World Championship. Athletes will line-up at Kailua Bay, Kona, for the men’s edition of the 2024 IM World Championship on Saturday, October 26th.
Returning to the island of Hawaii after making history in Nice, France, last year as the first cohort to race an Ironman World Championship triathlon in Europe, professional and age-group male athletes will return to race on the Kona course.
“After a great event in Nice, France, with our female athletes a month ago, we are thrilled to welcome our male athletes to the 2024 IM World Championship in beautiful Hawaii,” said Diana Bertsch, Senior Vice President of World Championship Events at The IM Group.
“This breathtaking island is prepared to once again host this iconic global sporting event that will shine a spotlight on the very best male professional and age group triathletes. We welcome them to our Ohana and look forward to providing athletes and their supporters with an unforgettable experience.”
In total, 85 countries, regions and territories will be represented at the 2024 IM World Championship in Kona. Regional representation sees Europe lead the way with 47% of athletes registered to race and North America with the second most, accounting for 29% of athletes.
Oceania follows with 10%, with Latin America making up 7% while Asia adds 6%. Africa and the Middle East will make up the final 2% to complete the athlete field for the 2024 edition of the event.
The United States of America is the most represented nation with 638 registered athletes, followed by Germany (266), Australia (183), France (158), and the United Kingdom (138).
Other athletes from countries as far as Guatemala, Kuwait, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe are traveling from around the globe to race in Kona.
Highlights from the men’s edition of the 2024 IM World Championship
- 46 is the average age of all registrants
- Warren Hill (NZL) is the oldest athlete male participant at 84, while Wojciech Poparda (POL) is the youngest at 20
- 12 athletes will be celebrating their birthdays on race day
- 85 countries, regions and territories are represented, with top five being the United States, Germany, Australia, France, and the United Kingdom
46 US states are accounted for, with top five states in the athlete count being: California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Colorado - Of the 22 registered athletes from the state of Hawaii, 16 of those are from the Island of Hawaii
- This year’s field comprises seven returning age group champions from the 2023 IM World Championship race: France’s Pierre Stiereman (M30-34), Germany’s Christian Haupt (M40-44), Great Britain’s Donald Brooks (M45-49), Kazakhstan’s Alexandre Vinokurov (M50-54), France’s Laurent Jalabert (M55-59), the United States’ Tim Bradley (M60-64), and Spain’s Jose Mugica Izagirre (M65-69)
- 60 qualifying races from around the globe in 2023 and 2024 enabled athletes to reach the IM World Championship
- Approximately 3,500 volunteers will be helping across race week and on race day
