Who will win Kona?

Our annual predictions contest.

Here is our official annual Ironman World Championship prediction contest: Who are your men’s and women’s podium picks for Saturday, Oct. 10 in Kona?

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Official start lists here: men’s & women’s. Four previous world champions still standing in the men’s race. Four in the women’s race. Plus, 70.3 world champions. And many many (many) podium-ers. Plus, newbies.

For the record: I never know what Taylor Knibb is going to do, and I’m often wrong. I think both her and Lucy are ready to med tent themselves again trying to not med tent themselves. The question is never will they take the lead; it’s always will they hold onto it. I think Kat is tired of getting second and, if her Achilles holds up, is the run course record-holder here. I think people count out Chelsea Sodaro at their peril. And I think Laura P. and Solveig looked Ironman strong in Nice. I’d probably pick Solveig in the #1 spot if I could enter my own contest.

And I’d probably pick Kristian Blummenfelt. But mostly just because I feel like you don’t bet against Kristian. Of course, yes, absolutely, Patrick Lange has proven over and over again that he knows how to win in Kona — even when we haven’t seen him much during the year. I think Gustav Iden looks like he’s back to the Gustav who won here. I think Sam Laidlow looks like Sam, which is to say you never know if he’s going to show up or blow up. I think Rudy Von Berg is consistent. And then there’s the Kona newbies.

As always: Pick your podium. Guesses must be in the comments below by race start.

Update: Closest answers to correct now wins a random prize from me + brand new pairs of Roka’s top-of-the-line R2 goggles; there’s some good stuff sitting around my office and a lot of leftover swag, so who knows what you’ll get along with the best and most comfortable goggles on the market.