Posted: July 9, 2004

Triathlon: Honu Half IronmanTriathlon Registration Is Open

July 8, 2004 -- The Honu Half Ironman Triathlon is scheduled for June 5, 2005 on the Kohala Coast, and is open this year to Hawaii residents, US residents and all International athletes. This event WILL sell out with 30 slots for the 2005 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in addition to the Hawaii slots. Register for the only Qualifier that is on the Ironman Triathlon World Championship Course!

The qualifying race begins with a swim start at the Hapuna Beach State Park, the bike course will encompass a portion of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway, the 13.1 run will take place entirely within the Mauna Lani Resort. This year the Honu Triathlon will provide 35 qualifying slots to Big Island triathletes plus 20 qualifying slots for those residents from the surrounding neighbor islands. The Honu race will also have an additional 30 Slots for athletes who are international or from the Continental US. These slots qualify athletes for this October's 2005 Ironman Triathlon World Championship.

All Hawaii residents are invited to participate, yet only those finishers who have been residents for at least three years will be eligible for an Ironman qualifying slot.

Mauna Lani Resort is located on the Big Island's Kohala Coast. It features the award-winning Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, nestled oceanfront and surrounded by acres of preserved ancient Hawaiian fishponds. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows is the headquarters hotel for Honu Triathlon. Resort amenities include two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis courts, and the notable Mauna Lani Spa. Widely recognized as a pacesetter in historic preservation and land stewardship, Mauna Lani beckons visitors with its unparalleled spirit of place.

The Ironman Triathlon World Championship, considered to be the ultimate test of physical and mental toughness, is comprised of a 2.4-mile swim in the Pacific Ocean, a 112-mile bike through scorching lava fields, followed by a 26.2-mile run. The course must be completed in 17 hours with cutoff times applied to each segment. The first event took place on February 18, 1978 with only 15 men competing. Today, more than 50,000 athletes from around the world vie for one of 1,700 coveted starting slots at one of 26 Ironman qualifying races around the world each year. For more information visit www.ironmanlive.com..

To register for the 2005 Honu Triathlon, visit active.com.