Originally published at: By the Numbers: Men’s IM World Championship Age Group Field - Slowtwitch News
More than 2,400 men are prepared to toe the start line in Kona this weekend for the 2024 IRONMAN World Championships. Men are returning to Hawaii for the first time since 2022’s two day event, as they were the first group of athletes to travel to Nice as part of the World Championships dual venue format. The 2,400 figure represents roughly a 10% increase over the number of registered athletes for last year’s event in Nice.
Eighty-five different countries, regions, or territories are represented this weekend, with nearly half of the field calling somewhere in Europe home.
On an individual country-basis, the United States has the largest contingency; the 638 registered athletes represents just north of 25 percent of the field. The U.S. squad represents 46 of 50 states, with the bulk of athletes coming from California, Texas, Florida, Colorado, or New York.
That 638 athlete count for the U.S. is also more than double the number of athletes represented by Germany, the second largest group of athletes, with 266. Australia, France, and the United Kingdom round out the top five. In total, athletes representing those five countries make up nearly 60% of athletes here this weekend.
Athletes range in age from 20 years old all the way to 84 years old. The average age of athletes competing is 46 — well, at least until Saturday, where it will creep slightly higher; 12 athletes celebrate birthdays on race day. One of those athletes this weekend — former IRONMAN CEO Andrew Messick.
From a volunteer perspective, IRONMAN estimates that it will take more than 3,500 volunteers to power this weekend’s race.
Photo by Donald Miralle for IRONMAN