what are the odds? Thinking of the lottery for next year, any pointers?
The odds are around 3-4% if I remember correctly. I’d recommend paying for the passport club entry. I threw my name in the hat for the first time last year, and got in. Good luck!
2004 lottery (U.S.) had 2300 names in the hat for 150 slots. Remember the Pa$$port Club gets 100 slots first, then 50 slots go to the remaining entries (plus Pa$$port members not selected in the first go around). Non-U.S. lottery is separate, with 50 slots available (don’t recall how many signed up for that).
It’s like anything else: you pays your money and you takes your chances. Good luck.
How important are the essay questions? I feel like I’m applying to an Ivy league school. Does it have to interesting and literate? Or will any old thing do?
I got in through the lottery in my first attempt in 1997.
I started in 1997 and I’m 0-9.
hang in there…I got in on my 10th entry.
How important are the essay questions? I feel like I’m applying to an Ivy league school. Does it have to interesting and literate? Or will any old thing do?
Important. Make it as interesting and literate as possible. It is not a “lottery” as in completely random.
Some folks get in on their first try, I got in on my 7th try. Keep your hopes up, be persistent, but don’t count on getting in or you’ll be disappointed. I volunteered for several years running before I finally got a lottery slot. I highly recommend this. Being a part of the race by volunteering is perhaps the next best thing to actually being in the race. It also prepares you for when you are finally in, since you will know the logistics, atmosphere, etc. Besides, volunteering can’t hurt the “karma factor” in the lottery 
Good luck,
Ken
Why not just train a little harder?
Why not just train a little harder?
A little? Keep in mind that for a 35-39M, it took around a 9:45 at IMFL to qualify for Kona this year via rolldown to ~10th spot. Not a large portion of guys even have that kind of POTENTIAL, let alone time to reach it.
Sheesh.
Damn right…there are a lot of guys like myself who are plenty fast and train very hard who will never get in the traditional way. Possibly when I turn 45 or maybe 50 it gets a little easier. But turning 40 next year really does nothing for my chances. So…lottery it is…
Sure. Maybe I’m just old school then. People may be fast and hat off to them, but if your not fast enough, then you don’t get through.
I had a non-triathlete friend who got in on the lottery TWO YEARS IN A ROW! He was a runner who just decided to give it a go! I told him to try Powerball instead! He stopped applying for the Kona lottery because he was afraid of getting in AGAIN and he wasn’t too crazy about the cycling…
I think they should make it policy that you can only get in one time per 5 year AG.
I know I’ll take heat for that idea, but it’s just an idea…don’t slam me.
I had a non-triathlete friend who got in on the lottery TWO YEARS IN A ROW! He was a runner who just decided to give it a go! I told him to try Powerball instead! He stopped applying for the Kona lottery because he was afraid of getting in AGAIN and he wasn’t too crazy about the cycling…
I think they should make it policy that you can only get in one time per 5 year AG.
I know I’ll take heat for that idea, but it’s just an idea…don’t slam me.
I got in the lottery 3 years 1991,1993 and 1995 after starting to try in 1989. qualified 97,98,03,05 though but still put in lottery in years I really want to go.
I heard a rumor that you stand better chance of getting in if you are not from one of the “highly triathlon populated states”. Like Florida, California, etc. I’ve heard the odds are better if you live in Idoho or Montana, etc. Had to do with expanding the brand to those areas where Ironman is not as popular.
Not sure if I believe it or not, but would like to hear what states you lottery winners live in.
Spin-Ho - You had me laughing out loud at work on the comments about your friend.
He didn’t do the lottery because he was afraid of getting in for the 3rd time in a row. HAHAHA
Will he write me an essay?
Damn right…there are a lot of guys like myself who are plenty fast and train very hard who will never get in the traditional way. Possibly when I turn 45 or maybe 50 it gets a little easier. But turning 40 next year really does nothing for my chances. So…lottery it is…
Exactly Campbell. I also turn 40 next year , work 50 hours a week and train , intelligently , year round. I think that the chances of me qualifying are virtually impossible ( if I plan on staying married and employed anyway ).
I entered the lottery ( I am outside of the US ) in Feb. this year , for the first time and got selected. Kona was a truly memorable experience that I am still flying on
For what it’s worth I just entered the lottery again 2 days ago.
Why not just train a little harder?
Good point. Maybe I should take my money that I’ll spend on the lottery, give it to you, and let you give me a fool-proof training plan.
Sure. Maybe I’m just old school then. People may be fast and hat off to them, but if your not fast enough, then you don’t get through.
Plus, Roberto, what if we all train just a little harder? Then the bar will be raised for everyone, and that won’t be enough! 
I WAS anti-lotto until I went there this year. It’s NOT all about the championship, but rather has SOME inclusion beyond it. By extension from your idea, you could argue that age groups should be dropped and Kona slots just given to the absolute fastest people. Not that you’re saying that, though.
A lotto friend went 11:XX in the 30-34M, which I thought justified his spot. Another went in the mid-12s. Not bad.