For the first time since 2019, athletes from around the globe took to Alii Drive Monday afternoon for the Ironman Parade of Nations.
Triathletes representing more than 90 countries made the short trek along the route from King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel to Hale Halawai.
For the first time, the 2022 Ironman World Championship will be held on two separate days. Thursday’s world championship will feature professional women, physically challenged, all age group women and men’s age groups 25-29, 50-54 and 60-plus while Saturday’s race will feature professional men and some age group men.
This year, over 5,000 triathletes who’d qualified since 2020 but were waiting for the big event are ascending upon Kona with families in tow to take part in the grueling 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run triathlon.
Ironman has already announced it will hold the race over two days in October 2023. The race format for 2024 and beyond has yet to be determined.