Kona Lottery

danjohnston

 OK....how many EN people entered the Kona lottery this year?  I know we've got some fast people in the house who are trying to qualify but for us mere mortals, April 15th is our only hope!  So who else besides me will be going online next Sunday at noon to see if by some small chance their name is there?

Jay Lakamp

Fellow EN'er Jonathan Lieberman and myself got a taste of IM KONA last year via the lottery. We both have a very strong urge to go back because we both have unfinished business on the island. When you do go, it is so fantastic! What sport can you race side-by-side with the pro's and get a kiss on the cheek by the champion female finisher after you come across the finish line. I know Jonathan and I sucked it all up like sponges and are still wanting MORE. The vacation afterwards if you are able to stay can be huge too.

John Withrow

I definitely entered... (2x)

Joe Matchette

@Dan - No need to go to the website. I saw an email with the subject of "Congratulations Ford Ironman World Championship Lottery Winner!" It was pretty clear what had happened.

Best of luck to everyone who entered!

Paul Scholz

 I entered too

jhbinsc

Me too. Never any harm in that! I figured if I was going to qualify it probably would've happened by now!

jhbinsc

Also banking on the Legacy program if lotto and qualifying via a race don't work out...

Gordon Cherwoniak

I signed up as well.  I have in the past, but did not last year so I have X2 entries in the general lotto.  I'm a long way from legacy with only 1 finish in 2004. 

@JB you had some tough luck last year with the crash on the bike.  Given your strong numbers this year in the OS you definitely have a shot at a slot. 

Gordon

jhbinsc

Thx GW. Have not had a great IM yet though. Starting to wonder if I'm built for HIM and not IM! Going to train and execute and see if I can change that however.

Al Truscott

 @ Jeff ... Better to start with speed&strength and train endurance than the other way around. With your #s and HIM success, you have the ability to get to Kona. It will be a multi-year effort, though. Five years and a few heartbreaks, is my guess. Every puzzle piece must be in place, and just finding the pieces, much less getting them right, is the fun of the journey.

tim cronk

@Jeff X2 on all Al said. If anyone in EN can get there its you!

I entered 2 years ago the year of my first IM. I placed 20th AG with a 11:42 IMLOU and rolldown went to #8 a mere 24 minutes faster. Last year no lottery entry , went much faster in IMLOU and placed farther away LOL always depends on who shows up...... However looking back in previous years I would have KQ'ed twice..... Just gotta get the right race and see who shows up..... No entry for me this year will see what IMMT brings! Got my fingers crossed for my girlfriend though.

Good luck lottery players!

Paul Hough

@ Jeff - I'm passing on the lottery for now, but the legacy program is in the back of my mind. I've qualified for the 70.3 worlds twice now, but if I can't make Kona in the next 2 years then I may have to start entering the lottery as well.

cgres123

So where do you buy the lottery ticket from ?

GMAN 19030

Posted By David McLaughlin on 11 Apr 2012 05:53 AM

So where do you buy the lottery ticket from ?

The lottery for 2012 is over but here's some info to get you started:

http://ironman.com/events/ironman/worldchampionship/lottery/dont-miss-your-chance-to-win-a-coveted-entry-in-the-2012-ironman-world-championship#axzz1rg2Qokgp

cgres123

Thanks Bob , next year I will enter.

Nate Parady

Just for the fun of it I did a travel estimate from travelocity. I've always Joked with myself that qualifying for Kona or winning the lottery selection was actually like being handed a big fat bill...I have no plans of getting to Kona any time soon but it is in the back of my mind.
$750 for race entry (JEEZ)
Flight, Hotel, rental car: For a family of 3 came to $3800. Hotel was the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort Spa (not sure if this is a desireable hotel)
Was flying in on October 10 depating on October 17.
$4,550 for Race Entry, Hotel, 3 plane tickets, and a rental car is cheaper than I thought it would be. Add in bike shipment and Food for the week and the total trip cost might be around $6,000...

Does this sound about right from anyone who has been there...??? Just curious. I had it in my head that the going to Kona was a $10K trip so $6K sounds like a bargin.

morpheus

Nate, thanks for posing that question.

I'm a lottery guy at best. I've always wondered how much to budget in case I hit that lottery.

robin sarner

 Wife lisa watson.

Best case, she wins and i qualify.

For budget stay, Paniolo Greens in upcountry Waikoloa Village.   Big condos with everything for $100 per night.    5 miles downhill to beach.     Over 30 minutes to kona though.

wareagledusty

 Dan,

As a big dood in a very fast age group the kona lottery is the only shot I'll have of racing Kona for a long time...  I'm going to be checking out the website....  BTW, anyone know how they handle it if you are already registered for another Ironman race and get selected?  I'm doing AZ in November but wouldn't be able to do both if I were to get selected.

Al Truscott

I shudder to do this, but, what the heck, here's how pans out for this year. I'm staying a total of 15 nights, Oct 1-16.

Airfare for me and spouse: I save up credit card miles, and the flights on Alaska Airlines are half price for me, no charge for wife, or a total of $300 for two

I've been staying at the same ocean side 70's era condo since 06 (1 bedrm, pull out couch for any adult child who wants to come) near the Royal Kona = $3417

Rental car = $593 + gas

Registration = $750

Food guesstimate (we cook in house) $350

Now, here's the trick - if you or your travelng companion are in health care (RN, PT, PA, MD, etc.), sign up for the Ironman Medical Conference. My medical group will thus cover my housing, food, and car for the days, and the airfare for me. This saves me $1850.

Net cost before any tourist extravagances and "must have" triathlon equipment: $3560, without the Conference, $5410

 

Gordon Cherwoniak

@ Nate - This looks about right.  The catch is are flights, depening upon where you live and food costs.  I've also heard car rental can get out of hand as there is limited supply during race week.  If you do like Al and get a condo and cook in house you can save a ton. 

My wife and I stayed in Waikoloa for a week on our honeymoon and it can get pricey to eat out.  Also as mentioned this is a 30 minute drive to start line and not as convenient for the Kona vib or race day but a great place to stay non the less. 

Gordon

Nate Parady

thanks Al and Gordon

Irongirl3018

In 2010 I booked my accomodations through Endurance Sports travel. I stayed in condo's on Alii Drive (about 1.5 miles from start/finish). We did rent a car and it came in handy. I booked at Casa De Emdeko and had a beautiful condo with a washer and dryer which came in handy. Ken's transportation during race day works great!!! I would also recommend Tri Bike Transport. It worked well and I could walk my bike across the street from transition at the end of the race and hand it over...no worries at all and it cost about the same as if I was taking it on the plane and didn't have to lug it around for my vacation afterwards. I would be more than happy to answer any possible questions if you want to email me offline.

jim ebert

i'm also in the lottery; for the 3-4th time. it's my best chance i'm affraid. i'll be on the rod sunday around noon but i'll check as soon as i get home. hope springs eternal.

Tom Glynn

Al's quote is pretty good for costs, about $5K. We ate in for breakfast, lunches and most dinners. Rent car as early as possible. Last minute mini vans can go for $1500 for the week, so book early, use Tri Bike transport so you don't need a big car. If you stay downtown, you may not even need a car. Taxi from airport and walk around.

Al Truscott

Did anyone in EN get lucky? 

Al Truscott

 I canned the "Legacy" winners - apparently they went by age in reverse conronological order - oldest first?

I found Woody Freese there, ENer from Boston.

And Brad Loescher on the sandard lottery list.

Brad Loescher

Still waiting for the official e-mail from WTC, but it looks like I am going back to Kona going in October. Head is in the clouds at the moment, don't think I stopped doing the happy dance since I received an e-mail from a friend. I thought my chances were so slim, I didn't even look up the results when they were posted. Amazing good luck to get this opportunity.

Gordon Cherwoniak

Congrats Brad,

It will be a great year to be in Kona.  Maybe I need your approach and play it cool.  I was on the website at aroumd 12:05 next year I'm waiting for the email from WTC, ya right.

Gordon

Coach Rich

Posted By Brad Loescher on 16 Apr 2012 07:18 AM

Still waiting for the official e-mail from WTC, but it looks like I am going back to Kona going in October. Head is in the clouds at the moment, don't think I stopped doing the happy dance since I received an e-mail from a friend. I thought my chances were so slim, I didn't even look up the results when they were posted. Amazing good luck to get this opportunity.

 

Second time lottery winner! I'm going to rub your head for good luck!

Everyone else...hate the game, not the player

Woody Freese

Brad - CONGRATS!

Does anyone have recommendations for condos within walking distance to downtown?? I am looking for a place for 3 maybe 4 adults > A kitchen, air conditioning and a washer & dryer are crucial, as well as minimal storage space for 2 bikes. Walking distance to downtown would be ideal. Tossing around the idea of renting a scooter vs. a car -

Not sure if any EN'ers are interested in sharing a place - something to think about?