This is how the new IRONMAN qualification system works for Kona and the 70.3 World Championship.

Starting with the 2026 qualifying cycle, HOMBRE DE HIERRO and IRONMAN 70.3 will use a new classification system for their World Championships.

It will no longer be enough to be first or second in your age group: Access to Kona or the 70.3 World Championship will depend on performance compared to a global standard.In this guide we explain how it works.

What is the Kona Standard?

For the IRONMAN World Championship, a comparison standard called Kona Standard. It is calculated by taking the finish times of the top 20% of triathletes in each age group (by gender) from the last five Kona editions (single-day competitions). Reference values ​​are then derived for each age group and gender.

For example, the fastest group in men is M30-34 and in women the F30–34From these groups, a comparative ratio for everyone else.

This ratio (Kona Standard) allows any triathlete's times to be adjusted to equalize the level of demand according to age and sex.

How do you use the Kona Standard?

Each athlete multiplies their final time by the ratio corresponding to their age group. The result is a age-adjusted time (age-graded time), comparable between men and women of different ages.

For example:

• Anne, 42 years old (F40-44)
  Time: 9h19'51
  Kona Standard: 0.8707
  Adjusted time: 8h07'26
• John, 43 years old (M40-44)
  Time: 8h50'31
  Kona Standard: 0.9683
  Adjusted time: 8h33'42

Although Anne arrived later at the finish line, her adjusted performance is higher, and ranks before John.

And how does it work in the 70.3 World Cup?

In the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, the system is very similar. A 70.3 Standard also calculated from the fastest 20% of each age group, but taking the last 5 years of the 70.3 World Cup.

The difference is that The places are distributed separately between men and women (50/50), since they compete on different days.

Practical example:

• Laura, 38 years old (F35-39)
  Time: 7h29'01
  70.3 Standard: 0.9658
  Adjusted time: 7h13'40
• Janine, 51 years old (F50-54)
  Time: 8h00'28
  70.3 Standard: 0.9016
  Adjusted time: 7h13'11

Result: Although Janine took 31 minutes longer than Laura in real time, her tight time (7:13:11) is better than Laura's (7:13:40), so would qualify earlier under the new system.

How are the places distributed?

Each qualifying test has a limited number of slots. The process is the following:

1. Automatic parking spacesThe winner of each age group receives a direct spot. If they don't accept it, they move on to the second or third place. If no one accepts, they are released.
2. Performance PoolThe remaining spots are grouped into a pool (one male and one female in the 70.3; mixed in Kona).
3. Ranking by adjusted time: All athletes are ranked according to their age-adjusted time.
4. Roll-down process: Places are offered to athletes with the best adjusted times until all available places are filled.

What benefits does this system provide?

• Royal justice: It no longer matters if your group had more or fewer participants.
• Fair comparison: Performance is valued, not age or sex.
• More women classified: It is estimated that in Kona 2026 they could represent between 30 and 40% if their times allow it.

Kona Standard table (some key values)

Men

• M30–34: 1.0000
• M40–44: 0.9683
• M50–54: 0.9002
• M60–64: 0.8262

Women

• F30–34: 0.8977
• F40–44: 0.8707
• F50–54: 0.8125
• F60–64: 0.7218

How is your adjusted time calculated?

Final time x Kona Standard of your group = Age-adjusted time

More real examples

Example 1: You don't win your group, but you qualify

• Carlos, 48 years old (M45-49)
  4th place, time: 9h15
  Kona Standard: 0.9401
  Adjusted time: 8h41'55

➡ Sort by the Performance Pool, thanks to its high relative performance.

Example 2: Eva wins but resigns

• Eva wins her group (F25-29), but does not want to travel to Kona.
  ➡ The spot goes to the 2nd. If she also withdraws, it goes to the female performance pool.

And how do I accept my place?

You can only accept your place in person at the event's rolldown ceremony.

You must wear identification document and make the payment at the time by card (cash and American Express are not accepted).

When does it come into effect?

• IRONMAN 70.3: from 6 July 2025 (Jönköping and Muskoka)
• HOMBRE DE HIERRO: from 16–17 August 2025 (Kalmar and Copenhagen)

Complete table of the 2026 Kona Standard

Check your age group and the corresponding fit ratio (Kona Standard). Multiply your time by this value to get your age-adjusted time:

Men

In summary…

The new IRONMAN classification system rewards the pure and comparative performance, levels the playing field, and eliminates the luck factor. If you're dreaming of Kona or the 70.3 World Championship, get ready: now's the time to perform at your best... and do it better than ever.