Since 2002 I haven’t missed many Ironman World Championship events. Being on the Big Island during race week is a magical time Having missed a couple since Covid I realise how lucky I've been to be able to travel each October. I also met my wife Beth on the finish line while volunteering so now it has a special place in our hearts.
2023 is one of those years I missed and I’m especially sad about that because the racing was exceptional at both Nice and Kona.
 

The IRONMAN World Championships have been held in Kona, Hawaii since 1978. Covid forced a change of location to St George for the 2021 race (which had to be held in May 2022), and then in 2022 World Triathlon Corporation experimented with two races on different days. For whatever reason, more changes happened in 2023 so this year we had the mens-only race in Nice in September and then on the usual second Saturday in October we had the female-only race in Kona. Our favourite triathlon journalist Tim Heming was lucky enough  to go to both events and he joins me today to discuss his thoughts on: 
 
Tim’s top 10 predictions versus the final results
the concept of splitting not just race days but also venues
atmosphere in both locations leading up to, and on, race day
overall quality of racing not just for the pro athletes but age groupers as well (this is especially poignant given the negative publicity that WTC were receiving before the Kona event)
does the split venue format have enough support and momentum to continue after 2025?

 
If you want to follow Tim for his insights on the world of triathlon you can find him on Twitter (X): @TimHeming
 

To contact Beth regarding Life Coaching, please email her at Info@BethanyWardLifeCoaching.uk.
 
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Sports Nutrition questions - if you have a sports nutrition question that you would like answered on the podcast, please email it to me via Beth@TheTriathlonCoach.com.
 

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