Why the return to Hawaii matters — and how to start preparing now.
The Spirit Returns
There’s something almost mythical about Kona.
If you’ve ever been there during race week — whether as a competitor, a volunteer or a wide-eyed spectator — you know the energy is infulsed with something special taht lies between electric and the island.
- Kailua-Kona pier throughout race week
- AM swims to the coffee boat
- sites and scenes along Alii Drive
- the Kona winds and the afternnon vog the lava fields that shimmer with heat and history.
It’s more than a race. It’s the soul of our sport.
And after a stretch of upheaval, relocation, and split formats, the Ironman World Championship is finally returning to its roots: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Why Kona Matters
Kona isn’t just a date on the calendar — it’s a symbol. For many athletes, it’s the culmination of years (even decades) of discipline and drive. For others, it’s the spark — the moment they saw someone cross that finish line and thought,
“Maybe I could do that too.”
I’ve been around endurance sport long enough to feel it in my bones. Kona holds a kind of reverence that’s hard to explain but easy to feel. The closest I’ve ever come to that same mix of grit, celebration, and community was at the original Ironman Canada in Penticton. That race, too, knew how to bring a town together — how to make athletes feel like heroes.
But there’s still only one Kona.
Getting Ready: Gear + Grit
Here at Element, we talk to people chasing big goals every day and we know what it's like to be in their shoes. We've been exactly where they are, from just getting started to finally making it to Kona (or your other ultimate race goal). Whether you're heading to a local tri or starting to dream bigger, we know that preparation is everything.
That starts with the right gear:
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Goggles that don’t fog
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Wetsuits that fit and glide, not restrict
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Nutrition that fuels you from start to finish
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Tires and tubes that can take the heat
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Accessories that stand up to all the training hours and miles and can continue on the Queen K
Whether you're gearing up for your first sprint or chasing that Kona slot, we’re here to help you stay ready — for race day, training day, and every day in between.
Training? That’s a Whole Other Story.
Of course, gear is only half the equation. The other half is the grind: the daily training, the discipline, the mental game. The whole training issue from time to technique deserves its own spotlight — especially when you put it into the whole triathlon spectum where athletes are preparing for everything from sprints to full Iron-distance events. Different distances can require a different approach even though there are so many similarities in the requirements: swim, bike, run, fuel.
We’ll dive into that in a separate post — with tips, local resources, and ways to train smart (and stay strong) for whatever’s next.
Final Word: Big Dreams Start Now
Whether Kona is your finish line or just the spark that keeps you moving, the message is the same:
✨ Start preparing now. Dream big. And know that the road is always better when you’ve got the right support team around you. ✨
We're proud to be part of your journey — no matter where it leads.