Kona Ironman World Championship 2009

The 2009 Ironman World Championships were held on 10 October 2009 at Kailua Kona on the big Island of Hawaii. The Hawaiian Ironman is revered amongst triathletes as being the birth place of the sport that began in 1978.

Kona is carved out of the surrounding volcano and lava fields, with athletes riding and running through areas that look like the moon.

The heat and humidity assault your senses as soon as you arrive and don't let up. It feels as though the road is melting and athletes spend up to 9 hours in the middle of the day riding through it! These extremes are truly a fitting test to determine the World Champion, who in 2009 for the second consecutive time was Australian triathlon legend Craig Alexander.

The build up to the race is almost as exciting as the race itself with plenty of festivities in Kona including the famous 'Undie Run', a homage to the German triathletes who generally wander around town wearing very little.

Thanks to TriTravel for organising a seamless travel experience.

Kona Ironman swim startSwim melee - 1800 athletes starting at the same timeSwim - Kona's crystal clear waterSwim - US Navy sponsors Ironman and had several competitorsRide - Former World Champion Chris McCormack in actionRide - Competitors in the desolate landscapeRide - Lonely in the lavaRide - Leading competitors average over 40 kilometres per hour for 180KmsRide - Fastest bike split - Chris LietoRide - World Champion Craig Alexander in actionRun - Women's 3 time Champion Chrissie Wellington