Live Aloha Initiative: IRONMAN Emphasizes The Importance of Community Respect and Appreciation Ahead of The 2024 VinFAst IRONMAN World Championship Triathlon in Kailua-Kona, Hawi’i

October 21, 2024

- Live Aloha initiative encourages all those attending, visiting, and participating in Kailua-Kona to respect and celebrate Hawaiian culture, lands, and people - Athletes are reminded of the importance of cyclist and resident safety, inclusive of safe and accessible training locations

KAILUA-KONA, Hawai`i /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — With the men’s 2024 VinFast IRONMAN^® World Championship triathlon in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i now less than a week away, excitement and energy is building as many arrive on the Big Island to begin their final preparations. With athletes eager to acclimatize and familiarize themselves with the local course and conditions, IRONMAN reminds all of the Live Aloha initiative, being pono, mindful guests on the Big Island, showing respect for the local community and environment, and treading lightly.

Created in accordance with Hawai`i Tourism Authority’s Destination Management Action Plan for responsible tourism, Live Aloha is IRONMAN’s permanent reminder that the IRONMAN World Championship and the land, culture, and host communities of Hawaiʻi are intertwined in creating the rich history of one of the most iconic and important sporting events in the world. As such, all those coming to the Island are responsible for adding to that history in a positive way by treating the land and community as if it were their own home.

To keep athletes and residents safe over the next week, key points are highlighted below on training route safety and the Live Aloha initiative to help ensure the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship is a positive experience for everyone, both athletes and the community.

Training While on the Island

As the roads get busier leading into race day, the safety of all is of paramount importance. To ensure all road users remain safe, and to reduce the impact on the local community, guidelines for locations to avoide have been mapped out and are requested to be followed.

Specifically, athletes should not ride on the roads south of Kona town, as shown on the maps included and publicly available. These roads are narrow and lack a hard shoulder on which cyclists can ride. The lengthy traffic delays caused by the inability to pass cyclists on these narrow roads also creates inconvenience for the local community, and can become a danger for athletes and drivers. For athlete safety and consistent with the Live Aloha Initiative and the Pono Pledge, athletes are asked to refrain from cycling on these portions of Hwy 190/Palani Rd, Hwy 180/Old Mamalahoa, HWY 11/ Queen Ka`ahumanu Hwy, and Hwy 160/ Napoopoo Rd.

For those supporting athletes who are training on the course, please remember that riding against the traffic is against the law, and all traffic laws while on the Island must be followed. If training with an athlete who is running, please refrain from riding against the traffic.

A dedicated Kokua (“help”) Patrol team will also be monitoring certain cycling routes on the Island to ensure all athletes are abiding by the guidelines and being respectful of one another and the community, as well as providing any necessary support.

TRAINING SAFETY MAP – IMAGE LINK

Cyclist Safety

Kona is the heart of the race, where athletes from around the globe come to test their limits. Competitors, visitors, and residents all play a part in ensuring safe conditions, especially when it comes to bike safety on the roads, and should keep the following in mind:

• Cyclists, stay aware of your surroundings. Kona’s roads can get busy, and it’s important to always ride with caution. Follow the designated race routes and obey all traffic signals.
• Always ride in dedicated bike lanes and stop at the stop signs and lights. Remember, cyclists have the same responsibilities in following local traffic laws as vehicles.
• Please ride single file at all times.
• For community members, whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or driving through town, be extra vigilant. Watch for cyclists, especially at intersections and crosswalks. Give them the space they need to navigate safely and always drive with Aloha.

Live Aloha

The 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship `Ohana recognize that we must all Tread Lightly when visiting Hawai`i, respecting the people, the places and the culture, and encourages all those attending, visiting, and participating in the event to Live Aloha throughout their visit to the Island.

Live Aloha also encourages all people to be pono (righteous) on Hawai`i Island by taking the Pono Pledge. As described by Larry Lindsey Kauanoe Kimura, Grandfather of Hawaiian Language Revitalization, “Pono extends beyond its many English translations. 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.” The Pono Pledge vows to mindful visitation, community enrichment, and more. To make the Pono Pledge, visit www.ponopledge.com/take-the-island-of-hawaii-pono-pledge/. Once posted share on social media with #ponopledge and #IMWC

Tips to Live Aloha while visiting Hawai`i:

• Aloha spirit: Embrace the lessons of peace, kindness, compassion, and responsibility that come with being in the presence of and sharing the essence of life.
  • Take time to greet locals who are sharing their home with us.
  • Be mindful and courteous on the road during practice runs and rides.
  • Obey all traffic and cycling laws.
• Love of the land: Mālama (care for) land and sea.
  • Use mineral-based sunscreen only.
  • Leave a place better than you found it.
• Observe, learn, and understand: This island is one of rich history. Take pause to learn of the peoples who have inhabited Hawai`i for centuries.
  • Tour Hawai`i Island’s historical sites.
  • Learn about the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i Authority (NELHA) and make note of the numerous sites along the race course.
  • Admire the work of local artists and artisans at galleries like Donkey Mill Art Center.
  • Book yourself seats at a lū`au for an immersive experience of local cuisine and Polynesian performances.
  • Support the local business community and take a moment to soak in each place you visit.
• Honor the culture: Immerse yourself in local and Native Hawaiian customs that make up the island’s unique culture.
  • Take a deep breath and relax. The pace of life is slower on the Island; don’t waste time trying to force things.
  • Aloha is a lifestyle, a reciprocal value centered on kindness and respect. You give it without expectation of something in return.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn from locals and Native Hawaiians.
• Admire and respect the beauty: Mindfully seek wonder, but not wander where one does not belong.
  • While the Island of Hawai`i is filled with opportunities for adventure, be aware of and comply with all county ordinances and state laws.
  • The landscape of Hawai`i is remarkable. Do not remove any plants, sand, or rocks from their original habitat.
  • Do not approach or touch wildlife.

For more information about the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship men’s race in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i please visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship-2024. To learn more about the IRONMAN and IRONMAN^® 70.3^® brands and series of events, please visit www.ironman.com. Media inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.

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About the IRONMAN World Championship

Since its inception in 1978 on the Island of O`ahu, the IRONMAN World Championship® triathlon has etched its name in history through stellar performances, inspirational participants and emotional memories. In 1981, the race moved from the tranquil shores of Waikīkī to the barren lava fields of Kona on the Island of Hawai`i. The most iconic one-day sporting event in the world is the culmination of 40 global IRONMAN events with over 94,000 athletes around the world striving for one of the coveted qualifying slots. The 2021 edition of the event took place in St. George, Utah in May 2022, becoming the first location to host the event outside of Hawai`i since its origins in 1978. After a two-year hiatus from Hawai`i due to COVID, the race returned to Kailua-Kona in 2022 and for the first time took place as a two-day event. The 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship race continued with the two-day format but with two different host locations and dates (Nice, France in September and Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i in October), to allow for a dedicated world championship race for women and dedicated world championship race for men. The cumulative event hosted over 4,000 athletes embarking on a 140.6-mile journey that presents the ultimate test of body, mind, and spirit to earn the title of IRONMAN World Champion. In 2024, the women will rotate to Nice, France while the men return to Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i for their respective world championship host locations. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship.

About the IRONMAN Pro Series

The IRONMAN Pro Series™ is a year-long performance-based world series that will see professional triathletes earn points at 20 select races in 19 locations globally to vie for the title of IRONMAN Pro Series Champion and a share of the lucrative USD $1.7 million year-end bonus prize pool. Athletes will also continue to battle for each individual event’s prize money equating to over USD $2.5 million and coveted world championship qualifying slots. The IRONMAN Pro Series will consist of six full-distance IRONMAN^® triathlons and 10 half-distance IRONMAN^® 70.3^® triathlons in addition to the split location women’s and men’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship^® triathlons and two-day women’s and men’s VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlons. Open to approximately 1,000 eligible professional triathletes worldwide, the IRONMAN Pro Series will usher in a new era of IRONMAN racing where Every Second Matters with every second behind the race winner equating to a point earned or lost. Incorporating iconic distances, challenging courses, and stunning destinations, every IRONMAN Pro Series race will be broadcast live and free to a global audience. An additional 18 events throughout 2024 will also offer IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 professional racing and world championship qualifying opportunities, as well as over USD $1.6 million in prize money to create a total 2024 professional prize purse of nearly USD $6 million. For more information, visit proseries.ironman.com/.

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB^®, Tarawera Ultra-Trail™ by UTMB^® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB^®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, providing participants the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 14,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.