Not arguing with you or Chuy. Just saying that at auction, the -only- thing you need is money; with Legacy, you need money -and- ability. Not as much ability as needed to KQ, but more ability than just the power to win an auction.

And I think that this is by design. WTC wants people to finish and not to get injured, and requiring someone to have done 12 before getting a shot at Kona that they would not otherwise have gotten is a good way to maximize the chances of that happening.

I've heard this many times and the assumption behind it is that the only intrinsic value that people get from finishing each IM is one step closer to the Kona legacy spot. It assumes no enjoyment and no other purpose behind any race other than to get into IM Hawaii. If that were true, no one would do any more than the minimum (which isn't true) and no one would continue doing IMs after having completed Kona (also untrue).

12 has ALWAYS been the number required before you can apply to get into the Legacy waiting line. Provided that your 12 are confirmed by Ironman, you will be given a spot in the waiting line to race. While in line, you have to complete an IM each year prior to the year you actually do Kona. That last underlined part is where there has been a change. Originally, you also had to be registered for an IM other than Kona in the year you did Kona although there was no requirement to complete it (e.g., you could have registered for IMFL or IMAZ in the same year and then pulled a DNS after finishing Kona. Under the current policy, you must validate your legacy spot in the year you are going to race Kona by completing an Ironman-owned 5150, 70.3 or Ironman prior to 20 August of that year. The reality still remains that you must complete 12 before applying to get in line, and will most likely have to do 1 or 2 more in the year or two you are waiting for your turn to race.

Ironman is not the best at making sure the rules they post on their website are the most current. For Legacy athletes selected for Kona in 2019, the requirement listed in bold is simply untrue. Please see my post above.

The number has remained constant at 12 since the inception of the program which suggests that what you think is incorrect.

^This! I know a lady who completed Kona under the Legacy program a couple of years ago. She is doing TWELVE ironman races this year alone - just because that's what she likes to do. Yes, she is an extreme outlier, but yes, Legacy is for people who enjoy racing IM events. It wasn't intended for someone to just pay 12 x the IM price to get in.

I do actually! Two people that met their 12 in 2017 and raced at Kona in 2018. They didn't find out until about 6 weeks before, though.

I've heard this many times and the assumption behind it is that the only intrinsic value that people get from finishing each IM is one step closer to the Kona legacy spot. It assumes no enjoyment and no other purpose behind any race other than to get into IM Hawaii. //

I never made that assumption at all. People that do 12 Ironmans certainly love what they are doing, and they had 12 great trips and experiences. My only point is that if Kona is what you want to do, and you really don't care about other races, then you could just pay less money and time and buy your spot on the start line. And yes, it would be cheaper in most cases than doing 12+ other races. You would have to be one of those broke pros that lives in their van, eats at all you can eat happy hours, Kraft macaroni, ramen noodles, to beat that Ebay price vs over a dozen races... (-;


I found it interesting that there are folks doing the 12 in one year. That suggests that Kona is the real goal, and they are not very patient...

what' the ebay/buy your Kona trip costing roughly usually? $50k "buy in"?

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Yes, there are folks who try to qualify for Legacy in 3 yrs or less. But there is also the lady doing 12 in 2019 after having done Kona by Legacy two years ago.

I went as a legacy athlete last year......I never chased it, just enjoy the lifestyle. Nothing has changed this year. Still going to lp as usual:)

I just wanted to add that the qualifying race in the year you are going to do Kona must take place between January and August. This is particularly important for athletes in the southern hemisphere. Early season races before January do not count. I did IMWA in December 2018, even though the KQ slots were for 2019, I could not use it to validate my Legacy spot.

correct 12 is the number but once you're eligible you don't have to race a full IM anymore:

You are guaranteed selection for the 2022 IRONMAN World Championship. To remain eligible for the 2022 IRONMAN World Championship, please note the following:
 
2019 Validating Requirements:

• Complete a full distance IRONMAN (140.6) in 2019

2020 Validating Requirements:

• Complete ONE of the following events in 2020:


• IRONMAN (140.6)
• IRONMAN 70.3
• IRONMAN Branded 5150

2021 Validating Requirements:

• Complete ONE of the following events in 2021:


• IRONMAN (140.6)
• IRONMAN 70.3
• IRONMAN Branded 5150

2022 Validating Requirements:

• Complete ONE of the following events in 2022*:


• IRONMAN (140.6)
• IRONMAN 70.3
• IRONMAN Branded 5150

*Please note, your validating race in 2022 must be complete by August 20, 2022.

Lookds like yet another change. So 2019 makes 13 for you?

yes, '19 made 13 for me

Hi,
So you applied in 2018 and was guaranteed slot 2022?! So people who will apply in 2019 will get one at the earliest for 2022/2023?
Is that correct?

Don't be silly, there's no money in posting on Slowtwitch!

At least you don't have to keep doing full IMs now to stay eligible. Heck, a 5150 keeps you eligible. Some people can do one of those in 2 hours.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.