This year's age-group race, which will start with a record-setting 1,585 athletes on the start line, is most notable not only for the tough competition but for the absence of some major players.
California's Missy LeStrange, for so many years a dominant force in her age group, is not here. She has 12 age-group titles to her name, and two age-group records. Last year, her streak of wins came to an end at the hands of Laura Sophiea with little more than a minute margin. LeStrange would have aged up into the 50-54 age group this year and would have no doubt been a threat for an overall win there. Sophiea is back this year.
Another Californian, Cherie Gruenfeld, is also not on the start line. Gruenfeld suffered a badly broken collarbone and broken ribs in a bike crash at the ill-fated Ironman Utah. We certainly wish her a speedy recovery and return to Kona, where she is the holder of the course record for her age group and a classy competitor. Also in this age group, last year's second-place finisher, Mariana Phipps, will be back this year.
The top amateur from last year's race, Finland's Tom Soderdahl, is back again this year, but in a new age group, the men's 30-34. His 9:11:47 was good enough for a more than 20-minute victory in his age group last year—and good enough for 21st place overall. Watch for him again. Last year's age-group winner, Germany's Alexander Lang, is back.
The men's 25-29 age-group, where Soderdahl was last year, is another tough-looking group this year. The second-place finisher, Germany's Timo Bracht, is back. Bracht took third overall this year at the wicked new Ironman France, with its punishing bike and run courses, in 9:18. Keep your eyes on Timo.
The women's 35-39 is an interesting story this year, with the return of American Sherry Coons to top form. Last year's winner, Kathy Winkler of California, will be back, but last year's second-place finisher, American Liz Vitai, is racing as a pro this year.
Here's a look at how the rest of the fields are shaping up:
Men 18-24
Last year this title went to Germany's Mattias Heim, but he has aged up this year. American Gabe Urban, fourth here last year, has also aged up. Watch for Sweden's Clas Bjorling, who's enjoyed some good results this year, along with Americans Josiah Middaugh and Kyle Handley.
Women 18-24
Last year's champ, Australia's Jo-Anne Davies, has aged up. Last year's second-place women, though, Canada's Marie-Claude Gagnon, is back. Other faces to watch are American Jennifer Arbetman and Australian Kate Major.
Women 25-29
This age-group has the 18-24 champ Davies in it. Age-group champ Lynley Allison of New Zealand is racing pro this year, and was third at Ironman New Zealand, but is not on the start line this year.
Women 30-34
Last year's winner, Brigitte Egbert of Honolulu, is back, as is third-place finisher Diana Hassel of California. Last year's fourth-place women, Michelle Gwozdo of Carlsbad, is also back.
Men 35-39
The third-place finisher from 2001, Len Gushe of Canada, is back in the mix this year, as is the fourth-place finisher, Michael Krueger of Germany.
Women 40-44
Last year's winner, Kathleen Hughes of the U.S., is back, as is the second-place woman, Jris Wyss of Switzerland.
Men 40-44
This is an interesting age group, with American Paul Huddle, now a successful triathlon coach, racing in his first masters race at Kona. Winner David Gatz of the U.S. is back, too, as is second-place finisher Bill Kvetkas of the U.S., third-place finisher Michael Blue of the U.S. and fifth-place finisher Brian Keast of Canada.
Men 45-49
Perennial age-group champion Joe Bonness is back for another shot at an age-group win. Returning to Kona this year is tough age-group competitor Rodolphe von Berg of France. He took tenth overall at the tough Ironman France this year to qualify.
Women 50-54
The top two women from last year aren't on hand, but third-place finisher Susan Shafer of the U.S. is on the start line.
Men 50-54
Champ Bill McDermott is not returning, but second-place finisher Chris Johnson of the U.S. is on the start line.
Men 55-59
Last year's champ Hansjorg Fassler of Switzerland is back on the start line this year, as is fourth-place finisher Geoff Thorsen of Australia. Takahisa Mitsumori, fifth last year, is also back on the start line.
Men 60-64
This is another rugged age group. Multi-time champ Bruce Buchanan of the U.S., who won here last year, is back. So is third-place finisher Richard Clark of the U.S.
Women 60-64
Canada's Mae Palm, the defending champ, is back, as is the second-place Mary Nathan of the U.S., third-place finisher Bobbie Williams of the U.S., and fourth-place finisher Annmarie Demonte of the U.S.
Men 65-69
Age-group winner Marcos Alegre of the U.S. is back as is fourth-place finisher Kazaharu Tsujii of Japan and fifth-place finisher Mike Laramie of the U.S.
Women 65-69
Defending champ Harriet Anderson of the U.S. is back. Mickie Shapiro of the U.S., who's also been on the podium here, is also back.
Men 70-74
This is a tough age group, with defending champ Bob Scott of the U.S. going sub-13-hours last year. He's facing returning podium finishers France Cokan and Lew Hollander, both of the U.S.
Women 70-74
Sister Madonna Buder of the U.S., who already holds two age-group records, is back for another shot at the Queen K.
Men 75-79
Americans Bill Bell, Bill Albrecht and Max Burdick are all set to start.
