Ultraman World Championships
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Event Overview
The Ultraman World Championships is a 3-day, 320-mile (515-kilometer) individual ultra-endurance triathlon held on the Big Island of Hawaii. The 2026 edition marks the 40th iteration of this event, which was founded in 1983 and is held annually over the traditional Thanksgiving weekend. Entry is limited to 40 participants and is by invitation only, with invitations typically issued around February 15.
Race Format
The event consists of three consecutive days of racing with a 12-hour time limit per stage.
- Stage I: A 6.2-mile (10 km) ocean swim from Kailua Bay to Keauhou Bay, followed by a 90-mile (145 km) cross-country bike ride finishing at the Volcanoes National Park. The bike segment includes approximately 7,600 feet of vertical climbing.
- Stage II: A 171.4-mile (276 km) bike ride from the Volcanoes National Park, looping around the eastern side of the island and finishing at Kamehameha Park in Kapa’au. This stage includes approximately 8,600 feet of vertical climbing.
- Stage III: A 52.4-mile (84 km) double-marathon run from Hawi to the finish at Old Airport Park in Kailua-Kona.
The swim portion must be completed within 5.5 hours. Participants who do not reach a stage finish line within the 12-hour limit will be disqualified. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
