IRONMAN Kona announces IMPORTANT safety advice for Pros and Age Groupers this week
IRONMAN Kona is one of the most brutal challenges any triathlete ā Pro or Age Grouper ā can accept. And those challenges donāt just exist on race day.
This coming Saturday (October 26) thousands of the worldās finest professional and amateur athletes will line up on the Big Island of Hawaii to complete their own mission. And IRONMAN are keen to ensure that the whole week passes smoothly and without any issues.
Despite the sheer size of the event, Kona is a small place and the huge influx of outsiders can mean a logistical nightmare with scary safety implications.
With that in mind, IRONMAN has announced an important update for all athletes and supporters arriving in town, with a view to ensuring their safety this week as they prepare for the big day itself.
IRONMAN Kona race week guidelines
āAs theĀ roads get busier leading into race day, the safety of all is of paramount importance. To ensure all road users remain safe, and to reduce the impact on the local community, guidelines for locations to avoid have mapped out and are requested to be followed.
āSpecifically, athletesĀ should not ride on the roads south of Kona town,Ā as shown on theĀ maps included and publicly available. These roads are narrow and lack a hard shoulder on which cyclists can ride. The lengthy traffic delays caused by the inability to pass cyclists on these narrow roads also creates inconvenience for the local community, and can become a danger for athletes and drivers.
āFor athlete safety and consistent with the Live Aloha Initiative and the Pono Pledge, athletes are asked to refrain from cycling on these portions of Hwy 190/Palani Rd, Hwy 180/Old Mamalahoa, HWY 11/ Queen Ka`ahumanu Hwy, and Hwy 160/ Napoopoo Rd.Ā
āFor those supporting athletes who are training on the course, please remember that riding against the traffic is against the law, and all traffic laws while on the Island must be followed. If training with an athlete who is running, please refrain from riding against the traffic.Ā
āA dedicated Kokua (āhelpā) Patrol team will also beĀ monitoring certain cycling routes on the Island to ensure all athletes are abiding by the guidelines and being respectful of one another and the community, as well as providing any necessary support.ā
IRONMAN Kona is the highlight of the long-course triathlon year. (Photo: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
Cyclist safety advice
IRONMAN has also provided very specific advice to cyclists this week, and the guidelines are as follows:
Cyclists,Ā stay awareĀ of your surroundings. Konaās roads can get busy, andĀ itās important to always ride with caution. Follow the designated race routes and obey all traffic signals.Ā Ā
AlwaysĀ ride in dedicated bike lanesĀ andĀ stop at the stop signs and lights. Remember, cyclists have the same responsibilitiesĀ in following local traffic laws as vehicles.Ā Ā
PleaseĀ rideĀ single fileĀ at all times.Ā Ā
For community members, whetherĀ youāre cheering from the sidelines or driving through town,Ā be extra vigilant. Watch for cyclists, especially at intersections and crosswalks. Give them the space they need to navigate safely andĀ always drive with Aloha.Ā Ā
Safety advice for triathletes ahead of the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona (Graphic ā IRONMAN).
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
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