Part of the energy and excitement of Ironman 70.3 Hawaii comes from the fact that competitors from all corners of the globe arrive at the Big Island's Kohala Coast vying to win one of the coveted qualifying slots for the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship or the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3.
For all of you who have this goal in mind, we wish you the race of your dreams. Our Ironman volunteers, the Big Island community and our award-winning partners are already working hard to make it possible for you to reach your goal, and these efforts will continue through race day. Your job: Come prepared to swim, bike and run just a little harder than your competition.
This year, Ironman 70.3 Hawaii offers 78 qualifying slots for the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship – 28 international slots, 20 slots for residents of Hawaii and 30 slots for residents of the Big Island. It also offers 50 qualifying slots for the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Florida.
If you're attending Ironman 70.3 Hawaii from anywhere in the world besides Hawaii, just show up on race day ready to roll and you'll be eligible to qualify for one of the 28 international slots to the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship.
Athletes who are residents of Hawaii have to meet a few qualifications before being considered for the State or Big Island slots. If they don't meet the qualifications, they're treated just like every other athlete, which means they're still eligible to qualify for an international slot.
All athletes, regardless of residency, are eligible to compete for a slot to Clearwater, Florida, for the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3.
Racers, as you take a look at your competition, don't immediately include an athlete in the Hawaii or Big Island resident categories based solely on the city and state information provided in our Participant List.
What do athletes need to do to become eligible for Hawaii State or Big Island resident slots?
Number One: Three-Year Residency Requirement.
Athletes interested in qualifying for a Hawaii State slot must have lived continuously in Hawaii for three years preceding the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship, i.e., they must have lived here since October 10, 2006.
For those athletes vying for a Big Island slot, they must have lived on the Big Island for the same three-year period of time.
Full-time residency requires no absences from Hawaii/the Big Island of more than four months during the year.
Number Two: Proof of Residency.
Athletes need to submit proof of Hawaii State or Big Island residency to the Ironman office after February 1 and before 4:00 pm on May 1, 2009.
Proof of Residency includes a copy of the athlete's current State of Hawaii driver's license or State of Hawaii identification card, plus one of the following:
· copies of State of Hawaii resident tax forms for 2006, 2007 and 2008 (with sensitive material blocked out),
· copies of W2 Forms for 2006, 2007 and 2008,
or
· a letter from an employer or landlord stating length of association.
Those athletes who have properly submitted the required paperwork in 2008 need only update their paperwork for 2009, including a copy of their current driver's license or state identification.
Documents may be faxed to 808-326-2131, or mailed to Ironman, Attn: Triathlon Residency, 74-5599 Alapa Street, #1, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740.
It is important to note that while all Hawaii and Big Island residents who meet the residency requirements may submit Proof of Residency to try to qualify for these slots, these athletes are not required to do so.
If a Hawaii or Big Island resident does not submit the proper paperwork in a timely manner, even if the athlete meets the residency requirements, he or she will not be eligible for the Hawaii/Big Island slots and will automatically be included as competing against all other athletes for international slots.
Important Dates:
May 1st: All Hawaii and Big Island residency material must be submitted to the race office before 4:00 pm HST.
May 4th: The race office will post on ironman703hawaii.com a breakdown of which participants will be considered for each of the different types of Ironman World Championship qualifying slots. That is, there will be a listing of those athletes eligible for international slots, those athletes eligible for Hawaii state resident slots and those athletes eligible for Big Island resident slots.
May 30th: Race day. Come out and enjoy this first-class event made possible by the hard work of so many Big Island residents and visitors, including friends and family of many of our competitors. The Ironman Ohana could not bring you the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii without the enthusiastic efforts of the hundreds of volunteers who will be cheering you on every step of the way. The aloha they share is the heart of this race – the defining feature of the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii experience.
For more information on qualifying slots and the awarding of slots on race day, please review the detailed information found on the website. Roll over the "Information" tab on the left side of the screen and then click on "Qualify." If you've got further questions about the residency requirements, please contact the race office.
Written by Dawn Henry dawn@dawnhenry.net