KAILUA-KONA — The biggest day of the year in West Hawai‘i is arriving this weekend once again.
The 2024 VinFast Ironman Men’s World Championship will start at 6:25 a.m. Saturday at Kailua Pier. Once hosting both the men’s and women’s in Kona town, Ironman made the decision two years ago to alternate between the two fields each year. With 2023 being women’s-only, the top men’s triathletes from every corner of the globe will compete for glory for 140.6 miles along the Golden Coast this weekend.
“After a fantastic women’s race in Nice, France in September, we are looking forward to a great day of racing in Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i as the top male triathletes from around the world take center stage,” Ironman CEO Scott DeRue said in a recent release. “This year’s men’s professional race is shaping up to be a tremendous competition with multiple Ironman World Champions and many of the biggest names in the sport. As a true clash of the titans, we are expecting some unforgettable performances at the 2024 VinFast Ironman World Championship triathlon that will be fun for all to watch unfold.”
The championship day will begin with a 2.4-mile swim through the warm Kailua Bay waters, with the professional field of 56 racers starting on the course first. After circling back from the marker south of Kona town, racers will begin the grueling 112-mile bike ride north up Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway through Hualalai’s lava fields all the way to Hawi.
After circling back from the Kohala Coast, competitors will conclude the day with a 26.2 mile run up Palani Road onto Ka‘ahumanu Highway, eventually running down to Ali‘i Drive to race to the finish line.
Spectators are invited to watch the much-anticipated finish along Ali‘i Drive, right in front of the King Kamehameha Hotel.
Fans are invited to follow the races on the official Ironman mobile app. See the paper for the rest of the week for continued Ironman coverage regarding race day and pre-race events such as the Parade of Nations and the Underpants Run.
Road closures
The following traffic changes will be made this weekend for race day:
• Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway between Palani Road and Kaiminani Drive; 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Southbound lanes closed; northbound lanes open
• Makala Boulevard between Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Kuakini Highway; 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Limited lanes open; no access to Kuakini Highway
• Kuakini Highway between Makala Boulevard and Palani Road; 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Closed
• Palani Road between Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Kuakini Highway; 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Westbound lane closed 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Eastbound lane closed
• Palani Road between Kuakini Highway and Ali‘i Drive; 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Closed
• Ka‘ahumanu Place and Kailua Pier; Midnight Oct. 24 to 3 p.m. Oct. 27: Closed
• Ali‘i Drive from Ka‘ahumanu Place to Likana Lane; Midnight Oct. 24 to 3 p.m. Oct. 27: Closed
• Ali‘i Drive between Likana Lane and Hualalai Road; 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Closed
• Hualalai Road between Ali‘i Drive and Kuakini Highway; 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Closed
• Ali‘i Drive between Hualalai Road and La‘aloa Avenue; 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Hualalai Road to Walua Road closed 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Walua Road to La‘aloa Avenue closed
• Kuakini Highway between Hualalai Road and Kahakai Estates; 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Closed, with limited access
• Kuakini Highway between Palani Road and Hualalai Road; 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Southbound lane closed
6:30 a.m. to noon: Northbound lane closed from Hualalai Road to Henry Street
• No access to Palani Road: All traffic routed up Ololi Road
• Loloku Street between Luhia Street and Kuakini Highway; 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: No through access to Kuakini Highway