Next week, the world’s top female triathletes will once again race in Kona, lining up for the 45th edition of the women’s race on the Big Island. While recent years have seen the race shift to alternative venues (St. George in 2022, Nice in 2024), it’s Kona that holds the soul of the sport.
Over four and a half decades, the evolution of performance, technology, and belief has rewritten the limits of what women can do in endurance sport.
The Evolution of Performance
Since 1979, the winning time in Kona has improved by an astonishing 35 percent – a leap of 4 hours and 31 minutes.
Overall Progression of the Women’s Course Record
Today’s top women are racing at speeds that were once unimaginable. In 2023, Lucy Charles-Barclay set a new overall course record, while Anne Haug delivered the fastest run split in Kona history.
Female Course Records
Honourable Mention: Mirinda Carfrae’s 2:50 marathon – run before the era of supershoes – remains the fastest ever without the aid of a clear technological performance boost.
Fun Big Island Facts
- Paula Newby-Fraserholds the most Kona wins with 8 victories, spanning a full decade from 1986 to 1996.
- The U.S. leads all nations in women’s Ironman World Championship wins with 16 titles.
- Canada has 5 wins, but hasn’t seen a female champion since Lori Bowden in 2003.
- Four legendary women have stood on all three Kona podium steps: Paula Newby-Fraser, Karen Smyers, Lori Bowden, and Mirinda Carfrae.
- Only two women have won Kona in their debut appearance: Chrissie Wellington (2007) and Chelsea Sodaro (2022).
- The last successful title defense came in 2018 from Daniela Ryf.
- The youngest Kona winners are Kathleen McCartney and Sylviane Puntous, both just 22 years old at the time.
- Natascha Badmann is the oldest champion, winning at age 38.- The last Canadian to place in the top 10 was Angela Naeth in 2018.
Ali’i Drive Awaits
As triathlon continues to grow and evolve, Kona remains sacred. Every champion who crosses that finish line becomes part of the story.
We can’t wait to see what Ali’i Drive delivers this October 11th.
Stay tuned for updates from Triathlon Magazine live from the Big Island during race week! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @triathlonmagazine for ongoing live coverage from Kona.
The post A Race Like No Other: 45 Years of Women Rewriting Ironman History in Kona appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.