Following a five-week-long IRONMAN VR Kona Series hosted on the IRONMAN Virtual Club platform, IRONMAN will commemorate its pinnacle event, the IRONMAN World Championship, with a week-long virtual celebration. This includes the first-ever offering of a virtual full-distance IRONMAN triathlon with IRONMAN VR27 Kona.
The 2020 IRONMAN VR World Championship Celebration will commence on Sunday, October 4 at 13:00 ET (17:00 GMT) offering a global audience over 14 hours of programming through the IRONMAN Now Facebook Watch page.
The hosted Kona Celebration Daily Show will bring the hallmarks of world championship week to life virtually for fans across the world, including the E Komo Mai Welcome Ceremony, Ho‘ala Swim celebration, Underpants Run and Heroes of Hawai`i.
Each broadcast of the Kona Celebration Daily Show will celebrate the athletes and achievements over the event’s 40-plus-year history. Hosted by Michael Lovato and Dede Griesbauer with reporting by Greg Welch and Matt Lieto, the program will also feature special guests including IRONMAN legends, Master Coaches and professional athletes.
“Despite the challenging year for all, we have been determined to find a way to celebrate and honour the traditions and achievements that make the IRONMAN World Championship event so special for so many,” said Andrew Messick, President & CEO for The IRONMAN Group.
“Our goal was to give everyone a chance to experience the uniqueness that encapsulates the IRONMAN World Championship Week.
“I am proud of the work our team has done to bring the excitement of race week in Kona to life though our 2020 IRONMAN VR World Championship Celebration and newest virtual race offering of a full-distance IRONMAN triathlon through IRONMAN VR27 Kona.
“We invite the global endurance community to come together for what will be a fun, festive, and activity rich celebration of one of the world’s most prestigious athletic events.”
Diana Bertsch, Senior Vice President of World Championship Events for The IRONMAN Group said “While we all wish the world was once again joining us here on the Island of Hawai`i for the IRONMAN World Championship, we are grateful to still be able to put together an inside look full of the spirit and culture that makes this event truly one of a kind.
“The entire Hawai`i IRONMAN `ohana, including our Kona-based staff, and the incredible community of volunteers and directors are thinking about the athletes we are so inspired by, and can’t wait to welcome the world back in 2021. Until then, we hope everyone can feel the Aloha shared with you during the IRONMAN VR World Championship Celebration.”
A special 2.5-hour Facebook Watch Live Broadcast of the 2019 Vega IRONMAN World Championship will air on Saturday, October 10 at 13:00 ET (17:00 GMT) with live interviews offering insight into the action and thought process at key moments of the race.
IRONMAN VR27 Kona
Beginning on Monday, October 5, for the first time, athletes will have the ability to virtually complete 140.6-miles in either seven-day, three-day or competitive 17-hour formats during the IRONMAN VR World Championship Celebration.
ROKA Ho`ala IRONMAN Training Swim
The ROKA Ho`ala IRONMAN Training Swim comes to the virtual community offering athletes a training swim.
HOKA ONE ONE ProAm 5K Fun Run
The HOKA ONE ONE ProAm 5K Fun Run offers athletes a chance to warm up the legs. This 3.1-miles / 5K run will also be featured during Sunday’s live broadcast.
The Road to Hawi on ROUVY
The Road to Hawi on ROUVY will offer athletes a chance hit the virtual course by joining in a group ride on Wednesday, October 7.
TriClub Ride on ROUVY
Athletes are invited to join their clubmates and spin out their legs on the trainer on Friday, October 9. This virtual ride will cover the first 18.6-miles/30km of the IRONMAN World Championship bike course.
Bringing the IRONMAN community together virtually, the IRONMAN Virtual Club continues to grow and has now reportedly reached over 120,000 members across 170 nations and all US States on the platform – with tens of thousands completing IRONMAN Virtual Club Challenges since its launch in April.
Athletes can register for IRONMAN VR27 or find additional details on The 2020 IRONMAN VR World Championship Celebration and IRONMAN Kona Series on the IRONMAN VC platform
www.ironmanvirtualclub.com
www.ironman.com
