The most prestigious triathlon in the world held on the Big Island of Hawaii. Athletes battle extreme heat, 40mph crosswinds on the Queen K Highway, and the unforgiving lava fields of the Kona coast.
IRONMAN World Championship 2026 on October 10, 2026 brings a strong field rated 95/100. Magnus Ditlev 🇩🇰 leads our projections at 22.1%, with Kristian Blummenfelt 🇳🇴 in close pursuit at 19.8%.
Watch for the head-to-head between Magnus Ditlev and Kristian Blummenfelt — our model has them separated by only 2.3 points. Chelsea Sodaro 🇺🇸 (18.6%) adds a wildcard element. Course knowledge and pacing strategy will be decisive in the closing stages.
Race day conditions — Hot and humid, 28-35C — will test athletes' heat management. Expect conservative early pacing with potential for dramatic surges from athletes who handle the heat best. Trade winds 25-40 km/h adds another variable to the closing kilometers.
Magnus Ditlev is our pick at 22.1%. Course record pace (7:52:39 / 8:24:48) is within reach if conditions cooperate.
Course record: 7:52:39 / 8:24:48. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA hosts this 226 km (2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, 26.2mi run) event.