Competitors interested in participating in the Ford Ironman World Championship will now have two chances to secure a coveted slot.
Details are outlined below:
• There will be 28 age group qualifying slots to the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship, in addition to 50 slots to the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 available to athletes who place at the top of their division.
• For the first time, Ironman will conduct a lottery program for Hawaii athletes who did not receive a qualifying slot. Only athletes meeting residency requirements will be eligible for the lottery program. Requirements include being full-time residents of the state for a minimum of three years prior to World Championship race day. Therefore, athletes must have resided in Hawai'i since at least October 8, 2008. Proof of residency requirements, in addition to a copy of a current state driver's license or other official identification, must be submitted to the Ironman Race Office between Feb. 1, 2011 and April 1, 2011. Submissions following April 1 will not be accepted. There will be 24 athletes selected from the Big Island and 20 state of Hawai’i athletes chosen through the lottery. The selection process will be conducted by a third-party accounting firm, similar to the Ironman Lottery program that awards 200 Ford Ironman World Championship slots to domestic and international athletes each year.
"Our community plays an integral role in Ironman each year and we are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers and a community filled with Aloha. Staying true to Ironman's founder, we believe this lottery provides an additional opportunity to the everyday athletes that reside throughout the state of Hawai'i," says Ford Ironman World Championship Event Director, Diana Bertsch.
Athletes will be required to complete next year's 70.3 Hawaii event within the official cut-off times in order to qualify for the new lottery program. Lottery selection will take place the week following the 2011 Rohto Ironman 70.3 Hawaii.
For more information on residency requirements and to learn about the enhancements to the 2011 Rohto Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, visit www.ironman703hawaii.com. For athlete-related inquiries, email Kona@ironman.com.