Ironman World Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii – 2011 Race Course & Road Closures

So many island residents and visitors from around the world are excited to be in Kona, Hawaii for the Ironman Triathlon this Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011! If you are a triathlete, there is no bigger day in this sport than the Ford Ironman World Championship. It is the race that defines the sport as it came of age and continues to be the defining race in our sport for any avid triathlete.

I took this photo above while the big screen showed that the champion was about to turn the corner toward the final stretch! Ironman Day is a HUGE party with rockin’ music, roaring helicopters, and cheering in all languages! 

Tens-of-thousands of triathletes try to get one of the coveted Ironman spots at the starting line in Kona every year. Only 1,800 succeeded. That means 1,800 “lucky” people from all over the world get to test themselves on one of the biggest challenges the sports world has to offer…2.4-miles of swimming, 112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run through tough ocean waves, and challenging lava-covered terrain. While there are thousands of triathlons around the world, it is this one that truly defines the sport.

I didn’t realize at the time that I was right there watching sports history being written as Julie Moss crawled her way to the Ironman finish line in 1982

Above is the swim course at the Kailua pier. Click here to see the bike course to Hawi and marathon route. The road closure map is at the end of this post.

The Keiki Dip and Dash is just one of many fun events leading up to race day

A good friend and I published the Official Ironman Calendar back in 1984. It included pics of triathlon legends, Dave Scott (above) and Scott Tinley. Although it looked pretty amateur, we worked hard to obtain rights from Ironman. We even paid royalties to key triathletes…nothing like today’s sponsorship fees, I’m sure!

I hope you can experience the Ironman soon if you haven’t yet! Hey…how about a front row seat from your very own condo like this for next year’s race? It’s very doable in this buyer’s market! My team and I would love to help you! Below are examples of condos on the race course that are available now:

• Can you believe it? This condo in Hawaii listed for only $83,000 will not last long!!!
• This condo is perched over the ocean!!
• This condo is a popular vacation rental if you’re not here year round!
• This bank owned condo is newer and just a few blocks from town!

Mahalo, again, for letting me share my Hawaii life with you! Always my best with aloha…Annie

Annie Mendoza, R(S)
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers
annie@hawaiilife.com
Cell: 808.557.5322