The Big Island is buzzing once again as more than 1,600 female triathletes from across the globe descend on Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, for the 2025 Ironman World Championship. On Saturday, October 11, these women – from 78 regions, countries, and territories – will take on the legendary long-distance course in pursuit of one of endurance sport’s most coveted titles.
Just weeks after the men’s championship in Nice, France, attention now turns to the women, who are set to make Kona their stage. “After witnessing an unforgettable race and some incredible performances from our male athletes in Nice, we are excited to welcome more than 1,600 women to Kona,” said Diana Bertsch, Senior Vice President of World Championship Events at The Ironman Group. “There is little that compares to race day in Kona. As we prepare for many of the best professional and age-group women to have their turn at racing this iconic event, we’re also grateful to the local community who open their arms to us every year.”
The 2025 edition once again highlights triathlon’s truly global reach. Europe leads the way with 40% of the athlete field, followed by North America with 35%. Asia and Latin America each represent just over 8%, while Oceania contributes 7%. Africa and the Middle East complete the field with around 2%.
As always, the United States brings the largest contingent – 482 athletes – followed by Germany (207), Canada (114), Australia (102), the United Kingdom (99), and France (70). The diversity of competitors stretches far beyond the sport’s traditional strongholds, with athletes traveling from places as varied as Bolivia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Mongolia.
The field also tells a story of experience and longevity. The average age of competitors is 43, with the oldest participant, 80-year-old Natalie Grabow from the USA, sharing the start line with 19-year-old Leah Hoole from Great Britain – the youngest in the field. Six athletes will even celebrate their birthdays on race day, including pro Jackie Hering (USA).
Of the 15 Hawai‘i-based athletes, eight hail from the Island of Hawaii itself. The field also features seven returning age-group champions, including China’s Yixuan Chen (F18-24), Poland’s Joanna Soltysiak-Vrebac (F35-39), and the USA’s Jana Richtrova (F45-49), among others.
It takes an enormous global effort to reach this point – 43 qualifying races around the world across 2024 and 2025 have earned athletes their slots for Kona. Around 5,000 volunteers will help make the women’s race week run smoothly, a testament to the spirit of the local ‘Ohana that has long defined this event.
The challenge itself remains as iconic – and unforgiving – as ever. Competitors begin with a 2.4-mile swim in Kailua Bay before heading out on the 112-mile bike leg along the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, flanked by lava fields and the Pacific Ocean. The course’s fierce winds and relentless climbs are well known for testing even the toughest athletes.
Finally, the 26.2-mile run along Ali‘i Drive and through the Energy Lab awaits – a marathon steeped in both heat and history. As the sun sets and the crowds roar, finishers will make their way down Ali‘i Drive toward the line, adding their own chapters to Kona’s storied legacy.
The Ironman World Championship in Kona remains a race like no other – a place where endurance, courage, and community converge. For more than 1,600 women this October, it’s their moment to prove what it means to race the world’s most iconic triathlon.