All you ever want to know about the 2012 Ironman World Championships

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (October 11, 2012) - The 2012 IRONMAN® World Championship presented by myList is set to take place Saturday, October 13th in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Nearly 2,000 athletes from 50 states & 64 countries will swim 2.4 miles in the Pacific Ocean, cycle 112 miles through the iconic lava fields of Kailua-Kona and run 26.2 miles finishing on the scenic waterfront of Ali’i Drive. This year’s field is packed with compelling stories and information including the fact that 53% of the competitors will be competing in Kona for the first time (1,086 participants) - 71% of those first timers are men and 29% are female.

With a field of athletes ranging in age from 19 to 82, competitors have qualified for the IRONMAN World Championship one of five ways: by earning a slot at one of the qualifying events held worldwide, by being selected in the IRONMAN Lottery Program, by winning a slot through IRONMAN’s charitable eBay Auction, through the IRONMAN Legacy Program or via a new program introduced this year called Kona Inspired, where fans voted on eight inspirational athletes who submitted compelling stories telling why they should go to Kona.
 
Here is a more in depth look at the demographics of this year’s entire participant field:
 
·         Gender

o   Male – 72% 

o   Female – 28%

·         Age

Age groups of 50+ and above have all seen 20% or more growth compared to last year’s field.
o   20 & Under – less than 1%

o   21-30 – 14%

o   31-40 – 32%

o   41-50 – 31%

o   51-60 – 14%

o   61-70 – 6%

o   71 & Older – 2%

·         Global Population

o   Top Countries (% of international competitors)

·         Australia – 21%

·         Germany – 13%

·         Canada – 10%

·         Great Britain – 7%

·         Switzerland – 5%

o   Top Cities

·         London, GBR – 19 participants

·         Sydney, AUS – 16 participants

·         Auckland, NZL – 13 participants

·         Toronto, CAN – 12 participants

·         Perth, AUS – 10 participants

·         Tokyo, JAP – 10 participants

·         US Population

o   Top States (% of US competitors)

·         California – 17%

·         New York – 7%

·         Colorado – 6%

·         Hawaii – 6%

·         Florida – 5%

·         Texas – 5%

o   Top Cities

·         New York, NY – 28 participants

·         Boulder, CO – 20 participants

·         Kailua-Kona, HI – 19 participants

·         Honolulu, HI – 14 participants

·         Austin, TX – 11 participants

 
Professional Field
 
As always, this year’s professional race features tough competition, headlined by Australian athletes Craig Alexander, defending champion, attempting to capture his fourth World Championship title (’08, ’09 & ’11) and Mirinda Carfrae, the 2010 World Champion and 2011 runner-up.  Other top professionals include:
 
Women:
·         Leanda Cave – UK, 3rd place at the 2011 IRONMAN World Championship, winner of the 2012 IRONMAN World Championship 70.3

·         Rachel Joyce – UK, 4th place at the 2011 IRONMAN World Championship and runner-up at 2012 IRONMAN Melbourne

·         Caroline Steffen – Switzerland, 5th place at the 2011 IRONMAN World Championship, runner-up at the 2010 IRONMAN World Championship

·         Kelly Williamson – US, winner of Memorial Hermann IRONMAN 70.3 Texas (US Championship), 2nd place finish at 2011 Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas

 
Men:
·         Pete Jacobs – Australia, runner-up at the 2011 IRONMAN World Championship, 1st place at 2012 IRONMAN Lake Placid

·         Sebastian Kienle – Germany, winner of the 2012 IRONMAN World Championship 70.3

·         Andreas Raelert – Germany, three podium finishes in the last three IRONMAN World Championship races (3rd in 2011, 2nd in 2010 & 3rd in 2009)

·         Jordan Rapp – US, winner of the 2012 IRONMAN US Championship in New York

 
For additional information during the 2012 IRONMAN World Championship presented by myList please visit www.ironmanworldchampionship.com.