- The Tempo
- Posts
- It’s Performance-First for IRONMAN as World Championship Qualification Overhauled
It’s Performance-First for IRONMAN as World Championship Qualification Overhauled
New World Championship qualification, Tour de fueling, and are orthotics necessary?
Matthew Sharpe
July 04, 2025
Good morning everyone,
Happy Tour de France Month! Ever since I was a kid, le Tour has been a summer staple, and I’m looking forward to an incredible three weeks of racing action, and three weeks of procrastinated morning workouts! 😂
In today’s edition:
🏆 It’s performance-first for IRONMAN as World Championship qualification overhauled.
🚴♂️ What can you learn from the fueling secrets of top Tour de France pros.
🤔 And do you really need running orthotics?
-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor
Have a triathlete in your life who can't stop swimming, biking, or running? Fire this off to them. Forwarded from a friend? Sign-up for free.
ONE BIG THING
It’s Performance-First for IRONMAN as World Championship Qualification Overhauled
IRONMAN
What is it: On Wednesday, IRONMAN released it’s newly-designed World Championship qualification system.
Now, IRONMAN and 70.3 World Championship slots will be allocated on a performance-based standard applying to all athletes, regardless of age or gender.
According to IRONMAN’s release, they are making the change to ensure that “the most competitive athletes are recognized and rewarded with qualifying slots.”
How it works: The new qualification process is spelled out below 👇
Winners win
The winner of each age group is automatically offered a World Championship slot.
If they do not accept it, it rolls down the second-place finisher.
If second does not accept, it rolls down to third.
Performance pool players
If no athlete on the podium accepts their World Championship slot, than it is reallocated to a “performance pool” of qualifying slots.
The “performance pool” is made up of the remaining athletes, who are then ranked according to a new global benchmark.
This global benchmark is calculated by averaging the top 20% of World Championship finish times over the past 5 editions for each age group.
This creates an age graded finish time for each athlete.
Then, using the age graded finish times, the rest of the field is ranked, and slots are allocated using a ‘first to accept’ roll-down process.
Example scenario: According to the IRONMAN World Championship age-grading table, the Men’s 30-34 age group is the fastest, and will not see their finish times adjusted.
Whereas the Female 30-34 age group will see their finish times multiplied by 0.8977 to determine the age-graded finish time.
So, let’s say these athletes competed at the upcoming IRONMAN Lake Placid. The male finisher ends up going 8:55:20, while the female finisher completes it in 9:50:03.
But once the finish times are age-graded…
Male - (8:55:20 × 1.00) = 8:55:20
Female - (9:50:03 × 0.8977) = 8:55:18
We can see that the female competitor beat the male competitor by 2 seconds and would be ranked ahead of him in the performance pool!
According to IRONMAN, they have been developing the new system since 2019, but it took a backseat to the COVID pandemic and the split World Championships.
The global benchmark, which used by taking the top 20% of World Championship finishers over a rolling five period, will also be revised annually.
The new qualification system will begin this weekend at IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping.
Tempo’s take: Often, these kinds of massive overhauls can be rolled out hastily, and executed poorly. It’s clear IRONMAN avoided both.
The new system is fairer for higher performers, and is designed ensures that athletes who are more competitive within their age group have a better opportunity to compete at the World Championships.
We’re not exactly sure how it’ll shake out, but on first glance it appears we could see more women on the start line in Kona. And due to less depth, older athletes could end up scoring a few more slots.
Who loses? Athletes who previously relied on roll-down slots.
One interesting aspect is that athletes who don’t expect to win (or podium), aren’t just racing their age group anymore. Now that age-graded finish times are in play, the entire field is your competition. And similar to the IRONMAN Pro Series, every second counts!
And if you finish a race and want to know a competitors age-graded time, check out the Kona calculator here!
What are your thoughts on the new WC qualification? |
OTHER NEWS
“The Other World Championship” Cracks on at Challenge Roth
What is it: Challenge Roth, one of the most iconic full distance races in the world kicks off on Sunday, and this bucket list event sees a start list stacked with talent.
Women’s race: The headliner this Sunday is IRONMAN World Champion Laura Phillip (GER), who comes into this race with incredible form after taking the win in a modern-day IRON War at the recent IRONMAN Hamburg.
She should have no problem taking the win, but if she stumbles, Nikki Bartlett (GBR), Alanis Siffert (SUI), Grace Thek (AUS), and Laura Siddal (GBR) could be fighting for the win.
Men’s race: After an unexplained health ailment sidelined Sam Laidlow for the first half of the year, he makes his season debut in Roth.
He’ll have plenty of competition, with Vincent Luis (FRA) making his full distance debut, plus Joe Skipper (GBR), Matt Hanson (USA), Daniel Bækkegård (DEN), and Jonas Schomburg (GER) who is hoping to rebound after last week’s mechanical disaster in Frankfurt.
How to watch: Watch live and free at the Challenge Roth livestream, starting at 6:30AM CET, 12:30AM EDT.
FAVORITES
🚴♂️ Tour de fuel: As another edition of the Tour de France begins, what can we learn from the best cyclists in the world? How high tech fueling has helped them race faster, and recover better than ever before! [Velo]
🤔 Do you need orthotics: Running orthotics are one of those lightning-rod topics that many folks have strong opinions on. But does the science say you need them? Not exactly!
🏊 Speedy swim: Swimming is all about quality over quantity, and if you’re pressed for time you can still get a great workout. All you need is 30 minutes for a meaningful swim session as shown in this video. [Supertri]
🥜 Surprise protein sources: If you’re wondering where to find foods high in protein, this chart is worth a look! And some of the the high protein foods, like Sietan, were a surprise to us! [Huberman Lab]
REEL TIME
Looks like there’s some explaining to do! 😂
TEMPO TALKS PODCAST
What does new IRONMAN World Championship qualification mean for you?
Will increased age group drug testing lead to an avalanche of drug cheats at Challenge Roth?
And a recap of the insane IRONMAN Frankfurt!
We break it all down in the latest episode of the Tempo Talks Podcast!
Together with The TriDoc, we bring you the biggest stories in Triathlon,
Training tips to make you faster,
And breakdowns of the latest in sports science and performance!
QUICK NEWS
New T100 investor? Saudi Arabia’s SURJ Sports Fund is in talks to invest in the T100 Triathlon World Tour. Backed by the country’s Public Investment Fund, the move could bring a high-profile Middle East stop to upstart pro triathlon series! [Alarabiya]
Adaptive athletes: The 21st edition of the Berks Triathlon saw athletes compete in triathlon, duathlon, Aquabike, and experienced a record-breaking field of 22 adaptive athletes. [Berks Weekly]
Race sellout: The Gold Coast T100 Age Group race, to be held 21-23 March 2026, has officially sold out! [Endurance Sportswire]
Crown racing returns: Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) will return for another season with Crown Racing as team lineup unveiled. [Supertri]
WEEKEND RACES
IRONMAN 70.3 Jonkoping - European Championships
Caroline Pohle (GER) and Harry Palmer (GBR) wear the the #1’s ahead of the European 70.3 Championships!
World Triathlon World Cup Tiszaujvaros
Top ranked Lisa Tertsch (GER) should be incredibly difficult to defeat, while hometown hero Csongor Lehmann (HUN) hopes to win his third consecutive World Cup in Tizzy!
LATEST EDITIONS
IRONMAN Frankfurt recap, and are aero calf sleeves worth it?
Which form of fuel is best, plus: A silent running killer!
Frank Russell - from Special Olympics to Kona! And bad endurance habits.
What did you think of today's newsletter? |
Reply