I went back and did a quick analysis of the Men’s Kona qualifying times for IMAZ this year. It’s an interesting illustration not only of the age dempgraphics of the participants but also the incredible strength of the 30-40 Age Group in overall time.
Age Group Kona Slots Range of Time
M18-24 3 9:54-10:23
M25-29 5 9:32-9:59
M30-34 8 9:40-10:01
M35-39 12 9:31 (First overall Age Grouper to finish)- 9:59
M40-44 10 9:48-10:19
Prior to the race, I was thinking anything sub 10:10 would earn a spot in M35-39 as it had been sufficient the previous 2 years of the race. That sure didn’t happen despite the windy conditions.
Yeah, they’re the strongest - likely a combination of lifestyle factors as well as physical maturity. Equally, the 18-24 is usually the weakest - probably because IM is expensive, difficult, and many of the most talented are racing ITU.
Has anyone noticed that all of the IM qualifying times are getting faster & faster. Last year, in IMAZ a 10:10 would have gotten you in; likewise, at IMUSA a 10:19 would have gotten you in, in the 35-39AG but this year, it was closer to 10:05(approximation).
I believe the field is just getting stronger & stronger in all AG’s given the increased number of people participating & for a ‘longer’ period of time.
I’m not sure exactly why that is - I do wonder if on a year to year basis there is a fluctuation based on how fast the times were the year before.
For example, my decision to race IMAZ was based on the likelyhood of qualifying based on times from the previous years. If a number of others are approaching race entry this way it may result in a more stacked field of Kona hopefuls after some weak performances in previous years.
IMAZ was super slow last year, like IMMoo was the year before. Conditions make a difference. IMAZ also was likely considered a second-tier event its first two years and therefore overlooked, before this year. Now people probably think that an early seaon IM is a good thing.
Not surprised - although I also did some research into the Olympic distance performances of the top finishers in my age group at various races and came to the conclusion that IMAZ was probably the easiest qualifier.
Edit: In the United States/Europe, and in my age group. IM Malaysia was the easiest qualifier overall.
It most likely ws one of the easier qualifying races…until now. In previous years, it took months to sell out as it’s so difficult for thos in cold climates to train over winter, so the level of competition was weaker. It’s a very fast course regardless of the weather. It has a full compliment of 80 slots available. Combine all that and you have the makings for an easier qualifying race. But this year, especially in the 30-40 AG, talent showed up and the times fell dramaticly.
Are you sure your looking at the correct site that has the times posted? Of course there were qualifiers over 44 in both genders. Mens 45-49 went from 10:07 to 10:41. Mens 50-54 from 10:11 to 10:50.
“Why? Did you just freebase some Cialis and Enzyte? ;-)”
Hey, I’ve got lead in my pencil, I just need someone to write to…
Also interested in what the margin would have been, ya know, by how many hours would I have missed qualifying.
