Ironman week is over and despite the event being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of triathletes from around the world still raced for 140.6 miles after the Ironman World Championship was canceled this summer.
Compared to the more than 2,000 athletes that competed in the 2019 Ironman World Championship, the Ironman VR27 Kona, the first virtual full-distance Ironman triathlon, had more than 8,000 registered participants. The triathletes recorded their results from Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 11.
Athletes recorded a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run in the order of their choosing, the distance of the Ironman World Championship held every year in Kailua-Kona.
Athletes represented 49 states and 117 nations. The United States led the way with more than 2,200 athletes, followed by United Kingdom (more than 550), Germany (500), India (350), Canada (300) and Philippines (250).
Other nations represented included Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan and United Arab Emirates.
Triathletes have to date contributed more than $300,000 to the Ironman Foundation’s Ironaid COVID-19 Support Fund. These funds have been distributed to 120 health-related charitable organizations around the world since March, with a fourth round of grants to be announced this month.