Official: IRONMAN Kona Cancelled – Not Everything is Possible
Not even the ‘Spirit of Aloha’ can make everything possible as the 2021 IRONMAN World Championship is officially cancelled for the second time in the annual Kailua-Kona triathlons 44-year history, due to the coronavirus.
After talks with state and local Hawaiian authorities based on the continued surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in the islands, it has been announced by race officials that IRONMAN Kona cannot take place this October and has been rearranged for 5th February 2022.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic saw the event cancelled for the first time since its inception, before an initial rescheduling to February 2021 was pushed back to this October. The IRONMAN has been held annually in Hawaii since 1978 (and twice in 1982 due to the seasonal change in the race calendar). It was originally a February event on Oahu. It was moved to the Big Island in 1981.
We reported this week as to whether the event would go ahead with the recent surge of the virus on the islands caused by the Delta variant, with the possibility of stricter travel restrictions being re-instated.
In our report we disclosed that Hawaiian Lt. Gov. Josh Green who also works as an emergency room doctor in the state, said that Hawaii is two to four weeks from seeing “major adjustments” happening if the recent surge doesn’t slow down.
It appears there is no sign of the spread of the virus slowing down as positive cases continue to increase. Hospitals are dangerously full, according to state officials, limiting care for not just COVID patients, but others seeking emergency help. The limited space in Hawaii hospitals is likely to lead to new, even stricter rules in just a matter of weeks.
Triathletes who qualified for the 2021 championships will be contacted and will no doubt have the opportunity to race in 2022.
Link to IRONMAN Race Update here
