The women’s 2025 IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is taking place on Saturday, October 11, 2025; and, in the build-up to race day, The IRONMAN Group is encouraging all visitors to ‘Live Aloha’ – honouring and respecting the land, people, and culture of Hawaii.
The bond between IRONMAN and Hawaii has been in place for nearly 50 years, founded on the importance of community connection, ‘living aloha’, and celebrating human achievement.
As final preparations ramp up for the event on Saturday, athletes are also reminded to train safely, tread lightly, and be pono – acting with integrity and respect – to contribute positively to the local community and environment.
IRONMAN reminds athletes that making it to Kailua-Kona for the World Championship is a lifetime accomplishment, and facing the race’s challenges while connecting with the land and culture is intended to be a spiritual experience.
IRONMAN has released specific guidelines for cyclists, requesting that they avoid certain narrow roads south of Kona town that lack a hard shoulder.
The company notes that riding on these roads causes lengthy traffic delays and can create a danger for athletes and drivers.
Athletes are asked to refrain from cycling on portions of: Hwy 190/Palani Rd, Hwy 180/Old Mamalahoa, HWY 11/ Queen Ka`ahumanu Hwy, and Hwy 160/ Napoopoo Rd.
The company reminds those supporting athletes that riding against traffic is against the law, and all traffic laws while on the Island must be followed. A dedicated Kokua (‘help’) patrol team will monitor cycling routes to ensure compliance and provide support.
All cyclists are reminded to stay aware of their surroundings, ride in dedicated bike lanes, stop at signs and lights, and ride single file at all times.
Live Aloha is IRONMAN’s permanent initiative to remind visitors that the event and the host communities of Hawaii are ‘intertwined in creating the rich history of one of the most iconic and important sporting events in the world.’
Live Aloha also encourages people to be pono (righteous) on Hawaii Island by taking the Pono Pledge. Larry Lindsey Kauanoe Kimura, Grandfather of Hawaiian Language Revitalization, said “To live pono is to be in perfect harmony with all things and to be aligned with your custodial relationship with the planet and its inhabitants.”
A key part of the Live Aloha commitment is protecting Hawaii’s fragile marine ecosystems, including its coral reefs, by using mineral-based sunscreens. Many common sunscreens can contain chemicals harmful to coral reefs, and may be banned for use on the island.
Visitors should look for active ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and avoid ingredients such as avobenzone, homosalate, and octocrylene.
New for the 2025 race, IRONMAN is partnering with the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort to provide a free ‘Watch and Wait’ event for spectators, family, and friends.
Located at the rear of the resort, the area offers shade, space to relax, and a big screen to follow the race action, and it serves as the first meet-up point for athletes after they finish.
The zone will feature covered seating, a live stream, water stations, food trucks, and a cash bar for beer, wine, and soft drinks. Festivities will run from 13:00–21:00 local time.
