Legacy spot in 2015 after 15 Ironmans. Racing Kona was by far the best venue ever. My goal was never to do 15 Ironmans for a Legacy spot but it was sure a nice reward. I never really cared about Kona too much but after racing there once I now know why people want to keep going back!!!
Let’s just stop with the 12 races thing right now.
Most people are doing 15+ races to get in.
Once you complete your 12 you have to register in an Ironman race the year of your selection, plus have completed an Ironman in the previous two years.
And since there are so many people completing the 12 now, your chances of getting in get harder and harder each year.
So, the legacy program is a joke.
Better plan? Go do some of the world’s best triathlons instead.
Just say it, you don’t like the program at all whether it is 10, 12, 15, or 20. Why is the program a joke simply because it is so successful? And your terminology is wrong. The legacy program is not about “chance”; it is merely a waiting line, and the line is growing. That line can grow to five years after initial qualifying without affecting a person’s ‘chance’. As long as you follow the program rules eventually it will be your turn. As to the world’s best triathlon’s…that is entirely subjective.
Next up for me: Ironman Norway 2018 … hurt me!
Nope, I have no problems with the program.
But people are fucking delusional if they think IM #13 is going to be Kona. If starting right now, be prepared to do at at least 20… if the program (or IM Kona) even exists by the time you finish.
Personally, I’m at 5 WTC iron distance races. I can’t imagine knocking out another 10 or more just to race Kona.
My comment was in response to his “you may not understand why its special”, well he doesn’t understand how special it is either if he has never had to work hard to qualify.
Are you saying that someone who isn’t fast (relative to their AG peers) doesn’t work hard?
Nope, I have no problems with the program.
But people are fucking delusional if they think IM #13 is going to be Kona. If starting right now, be prepared to do at at least 20… if the program (or IM Kona) even exists by the time you finish.
Personally, I’m at 5 WTC iron distance races. I can’t imagine knocking out another 10 or more just to race Kona.
Yes, a lot of people simply don’t understand the program. The Legacy program requires 12 to ‘qualify’, but even if you got in the FIRST year, Kona would have been IM#14 – unless you registered for a Nov IM right after Kona. The reality for the legacy program for those first qualifying in 2017 is a 3 year wait meaning Kona will be either IM#15 or IM#16 depending on whether you register for the third year IM before or after. Unless I am permanently hurt or hobbled by old age … a definite possibility … then I will not be able to complete my bucket list before I end up checking the Kona block. I figure I will do at least 20. But if that’s not your preferred lifestyle, then Kona by legacy is not a worthwhile goal. And its always possible WTC could suspend the program if the line grows too long, or for some other reason although they would do so knowing it would have a big hit on their bottom line since a lot of people are chasing that carrot and stopping after they get it.
I was fortunate to get to Kona through the Legacy program the first year they offered it in 2012, all I needed to do is finish Ironman Arizona in 2011 and with a little luck I was in. I did feel a little strange at first when I got to Kona, but as the days went on I felt more and more that I belonged there. When the cannon went off in the morning the race course didn’t care how I got there, it was a punishingly windy day, I competed on the same course as everyone else, and at the finish line I felt complete satisfaction! My Ironman dream had come true, honestly that was one of the best 10 days of my life. The next year I qualified at Arizona, so I can say honestly both Kona races felt fantastic, I think being a life long Hawaii dreamer just being at the start line was magical enough no matter what. I hear the chatter about oh I wouldn’t go unless I qualified, I think you would go if the opportunity presented itself.
James
My comment was in response to his “you may not understand why its special”, well he doesn’t understand how special it is either if he has never had to work hard to qualify.
Are you saying that someone who isn’t fast (relative to their AG peers) doesn’t work hard?
i would agree with him on a lot of people actually, if you have the time and ability to do 12+ im’s over a decade plus, why do you just assume you can never qualify and give these copout answers like “i dont have the genetics” to qualify, how about working hard for a few years (and staying away from IM) to get your time around the time needed for you age group, you dont get fast at IM by doing a ton of IMs
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My comment was in response to his “you may not understand why its special”, well he doesn’t understand how special it is either if he has never had to work hard to qualify.
Are you saying that someone who isn’t fast (relative to their AG peers) doesn’t work hard?
i would agree with him on a lot of people actually, if you have the time and ability to do 12+ im’s over a decade plus, why do you just assume you can never qualify and give these copout answers like “i dont have the genetics” to qualify, how about working hard for a few years (and staying away from IM) to get your time around the time needed for you age group, you dont get fast at IM by doing a ton of IMs
I have to disagree. In my AG I need to finish #1 in any North American IM to KQ. As has been written many times on this forum Ironman is a runner’s race and most of us can’t put down the run it takes (don’t have the genetics) for 26.2 miles after a 112 mile bike and 2.4 swim no matter how many hours we train. Legacy program was made for guys like me.
Doing one IM is not a sacrifice if you enjoy it and your wife can tell that it makes you happy. If it becomes a chore or it is not making your life better, quit.
same here…i did my first im in 2004 and really enjoyed the training and the travel…did a few in europe and a bunch of lps and mts…just finished my 13th…did one a year and will be getting my legacy slot for 2018…i just really love the lifestyle… i never chased the 12 or doubled up or anything like that… it will be fun to go and do that race and take it all in! have actually done 7 of the 13 with my hubby and it’s been a great bonding thing for our family.
bravo!
Ever since I started triathlon at the ripe age of 20, I’ve always had a fascination with the Kona Ironman.
Now I’m 28, am only just getting back into the sport after years dealing with chronic/adrenal fatigue. I’ve got a soon to be wife and the thoughts of a family on the way.
I’ve always viewed ironman as the ultimate goal, as getting faster at sprint or Olympic distance doesn’t really float my boat. Specifically the Kona ironman.
I figure I’ll never make the split times to Kona qualify by time so my only hope is to get in through the legacy program (doing 12+ races) and I figure this will take me the better part of a decade to achieve, doing 2x IM’s some years.
Is the one day in Kona worth the sacrifice of a decade of training?
Do 3 a year and cut the time by more than half. While this may seem snarky, I am serious. I did 12 in 5 years plus a number of half and xterras.