Getting to the Starting Line at the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona is not easy. Each year about 50,000 triathletes compete to earn one of about 1500 qualifying slots at these races.

Each Ironman race has its allocation of slots determined by that race's organizers, and the number can differ by event. For example: Ironman races in North America offer 80 slots each (72 for age groupers, 8 for pros); Ironman Germany has 125 slots (113 for age groupers; 12 for pros); and Ironman Brazil has 50 slots (45 for age groupers; 5 for pros).

With an average of less than 75 slots per race, distributed among each age group, the competition is fierce.

Source: http://runtri.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-to-qualify-for-kona-road-to-ironman.html

Stay fit until you're so old you're the only one in your age group.

Stay fit until you're so old you're the only one in your age group. Done! Or apply for the lotto system.