Ironman Strengthens Hawaii Economy

At 7:00 o’clock this morning, more than 1,500 competitors dove into the waters of Kailua Bay, Kona, to begin the first leg of the 2002 Ironman Triathlon World Championship. Although this world-class event takes place every year, few of us fully appreciate the scope of the international media attention and the spurt of economic activity the Triathlon brings to the Big Island and the state of Hawaii.

The Ironman is the premier event in the elite world of triathlon competition, and it includes a 2.4-mile ocean swimming race, a 112-mile bike race to the village of Hawi at the tip of North Kohala and back, and finally, a 26.2-mile marathon round trip along the highway toward the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach hotel. The exhausted runners return to Kailua and break the finish line tape on Alii Drive to the cheers of more than 25,000 spectators. The maximum time allowed to complete the course is 17 hours. Luc Van Lierde of Belgium established the current course record of 8:04:08 in 1996.

Participating triathletes generally come from all over the United States and more than 40 countries around the world. According to the Ironman organization, in 2001, the athletes ranged in age from 19 to 70-plus. Some are professional athletes, some are elite age group competitors, and some are determined weekend warriors who squeeze in workouts at all hours of the day and night. Most must qualify for the Ironman by competing in other triathlons. A few get in by a lottery, and 30 spots are reserved for full-time residents of the Big Island.

Each racer brings three other people, on average, and stays in Hawaii at least a week. At the same time, thousands of media representatives, sponsors, volunteers and spectators also flock to the Big Island. During the week before the race, hotels and condos are full, rental cars are in short supply, restaurants and grocery stores are bustling, and in local retail shops, it feels like Christmas in October!
,Ironman officials hire local businesses to print race and office materials, cater large banquets and small private parties and deliver shipments of supplies. They rent tents and vans. They lease warehouse and office space year-round. They hire police officers and security personnel. During the race, more than 250,000 cups, 30,000 bike bottles, 100,000 gallons of fluid replacement, 12,825 bananas, 4,000 visors, 600 bottles of sunscreen and uncounted tons of ice are consumed. Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism estimates the direct economic impact of the Ironman to be between $25 and $30 million in sales. These transactions, in turn, generate additional sales throughout the state, providing a significant boost to Hawaii’s economy.

The value of Ironman media coverage around the world is tremendous but difficult to define in dollars. The grueling event draws some 500 U.S. and foreign media representatives to Kona. Views of the race are fed live to the Internet. Europeans can watch dozens of direct TV feeds throughout the race and a wrap-up show the next day. A two-hour edited show airs on the U.S. Mainland in November, just in time to help stimulate vacation booking for the winter travel season. It is estimated that over 100 million viewers see the event on TV!

Some 7,000 volunteers work anywhere from a few hours on the day of the race to days and weeks before and after, making it one of the best-run and best-supported athletic events in the world. While most volunteers come from West Hawaii, a large number also come from the U.S. Mainland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Japan.

The Ironman Foundation honors these volunteers and the Kona community by supporting charitable and outreach activities in West Hawaii. Special Olympics, various health organizations, Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, Children’s Advocacy, Kona Family YMCA, Kahakai Elementary School and other educational, cultural and historical programs have all been beneficiaries of over $277,000 worth of assistance from the Foundation. Throughout the year, the Foundation operates the Ironman Hawaii Community Kokua Program, which lends coolers, ice chests and other triathlon equipment to other Big Island events. All of these programs promote a healthy and positive lifestyle for the people of Hawaii.

Yes, the impact of the Ironman Triathlon is enormous in many ways. It is another outstanding example of how Sports Tourism can open up new markets and develop important off-season economic activity throughout Hawaii.
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Linda Jane Kelley is a resident of Kona and a long-time volunteer of the Ironman Triathlon