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Pau Hana: 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Daily Recap for Monday, October 3, 2022

October 3, 2022

KAILUA-KONA, Hawai`i (October 3, 2022) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Race week for the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship continued today in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i as both race days inched closer with the Parade of Nations and opening of VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Village expo.

Here is the daily Pau Hana, a Hawaiian phrase meaning “end of the workday,” recapping highlights from the last 24 hours.

HEROES OF HAWAI`I

On Sunday evening athletes, friends, family, and community members gathered at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel (KBH) Lū`au Grounds to uncover the secrets of ancient Hawaiian warriors’ athleticism and strength, learning about Hawai`i’s history, culture, and tradition.

PARADE OF NATIONS

After a cloudy morning, the sun peeked out just in time to heat things up for the Parade of Nations. This tradition celebrates how truly global the IRONMAN World Championship is and this year, 92 countries are represented.

Leading the way down Ali’i Drive was Grand Marshal and the ‘Voice of IRONMAN’ Mike Reilly who will be calling his final IRONMAN World Championship, followed by a local U.S. Army JROTC Color Guard and IRONMAN Hall of Famers Mark Allen, Bob Babbitt, Rocky Campbell, Heather Fuhr, Michellie Jones, Julie Moss, Paula Newby-Fraser, Dave Scott, and Greg Welch.

Michael Carroll of Brisbane, Australia, who is in Kailua-Kona to watch his daughter Eloise compete, watched the parade from the shade near the KBH, in awe of how many athletes were racing. “It’s fantastic – there’s such a sense of celebration,” he said.

That celebratory energy was contagious from the start at the KBH all the way to the end at Hale Halawai. Kiddos threw shakas, athletes, friends, and family waved flags and waved to spectators, and the German contingent did push-ups in the middle of Ali’i Drive.

“It was great fun,” said first-time IRONMAN World Championship athlete Justin Dutton, from Wicklow, Ireland. He and his entire family – wife Fiona and kids Erin, Fionn, and Senan – represented Ireland in the parade. “It adds to the whole atmosphere and builds on the excitement [of the race].”

Kelvin Steyn agreed, proudly representing South Africa, both in the parade and the race. “It’s just a really cool vibe and amazing experience. It’s starting to feel real and not like a holiday,” he said.

LIFE IN IRONMAN VILLAGE

Whether it is shopping the multiple merchandise tents, exploring the future finish line area, stopping for photo ops, or trying out world class products and services thanks to IRONMAN’s partners and the Official IRONMAN Merchandise Store, there is something for everyone in IRONMAN Village.

Looking Ahead to Tomorrow

The VinFast IRONMAN World Championship’s events continue Tuesday with Athlete Check-in from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the KBH Ballrooms 2, 3, 4. The E Koo Mai (Welcome) Banquet will take place on Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the KBH Parking Lot with the English-speaking race briefing set to begin immediately following the banquet festivities. While the athlete wristband is used as athletes’ tickets to the banquet, tickets for family and friends are available online and on-site at the `Ohana Info Center.

The merchandise tents and partner activations will reactivate Tuesday morning throughout The IRONMAN Village area. Finally, the official VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Pre-Race Press Conference will be taking place at 11 a.m. at the KBH Lū`au Grounds and the IRONMAN Ambassador Athlete Panel at 3 p.m. on the IRONMAN Village stage.

The VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Media Center reopens Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 9:00 AM in King Kamehameha Hotel Ballroom 1. Media can check in until 4:00 PM.

For more information about the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship event, please visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship. To learn more about the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 brands and series of events, please visit www.ironman.com. Media inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.

** Terms and Conditions: Photography is provided courtesy of The IRONMAN Group for news and editorial outlet coverage. Any commercial use is strictly prohibited unless a separate written license is obtained from and signed by an authorized representative of The IRONMAN Group. Additional terms and conditions can be found here. Usage of materials constitutes acceptance of terms. **

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About the IRONMAN World Championship

Since its inception in 1978 on the Island of O`ahu, the IRONMAN World Championship has etched its name in history through stellar performances, inspirational participants and emotional memories. In 1981, the race moved from the tranquil shores of Waikīkī to the barren lava fields of Kona on the Island of Hawai`i where it continues to take place to this day. The most iconic one-day sporting event in the world is the culmination of 40 global IRONMAN events with over 94,000 athletes around the world striving for one of the coveted qualifying slots. The 2021 edition of the event took place in St. George, Utah in May 2022, becoming the first location to host the event outside of Hawai`i since its origins in 1978. After a two-year hiatus from Hawai`i due to COVID, the race returns to Kona and takes place for the first time as a two-day event in October for the 2022 edition of the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship. The 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship will see the event continue with the two-day format but with a dedicated race day for women and dedicated race day for men. With two days of racing, the event will host approximately 5,000 athletes as they embark on a 140.6-mile journey that presents the ultimate test of body, mind, and spirit to earn the title of IRONMAN World Champion. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship.

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events including Haute Route®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance 

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.