Men's Kona Qualifiers

Jim Scott reports on the men's qualifiers from Arizona and Busselton

Ford Ironman Arizona took place on November 22nd, 2009 and, like Ironman Florida, it provides a reset, of sorts, for those that may have had a less than desirable finish at the Ford Ironman World Championship, including Ed McDevitt, pictured here on his way to winning the men's 35-39 age group in Tempe. There were a few folks that fit this bill, but others simply wanted to qualify earlier.

While Rafael Brandao De Oliveira had a stunning performance in the 30-34 age group by finishing 14th overall in 8:50, he did not accept his qualifying spot in Arizona. However, Sami Inkinen, who had an equally impressive time of 8:51, will be racing in Kona.

“Yes, I am planning to race in Kona 2010; I had only raced Kona (three times consecutive years from 2007 onwards) but, since Kona 2009 didn't bring the sub 9, I went to Arizona where I finally got it (8:51).

Now, of course, I'm trying to reach that goal on the Big Island.”

Inkinen has an interesting background which makes his achievements in the sport of triathlon even more remarkable. He is the COO and co-founder of a technology firm in Silicon Valley that employs approximately 125 employees, has a Masters in Physics and a Stanford MBA. As far as training is concerned, Inkinen is limited to about 15 hours a week, but he obviously does well with what training time is available to him.

Beyond training and triathlon, Inkinen has been recently volunteering in Haiti after the massive earthquake decimated the country.


“I spent about 2.5 weeks there with my fiancé Meredith as part of the Hands On Disaster Response (www.hodr.org) team. I was mainly helping dozens of families to clean up their collapsed houses, so that a temporary shelter could be set up / built and they could move back to their own house site from a temporary camp. It certainly wasn't what I was trained for, but it was one of the most touching and rewarding experiences I've had in my life. If sledge hammering is the future fourth event in Kona, I'm very well prepared and acclimatized for it.”

Ed McDevitt won the 35-39 age group and came tantalizingly close to breaking the nine-hour barrier. He finished in 9:02, even though Arizona was a last-minute decision, and hopes for a successful return to Kona where he suffered a sinus infection the day before the race last year and did not compete. For 2010, it’s now all about Hawaii:
“As for this year, I plan on racing Kona and my entire season is focused on this race. This is the first year I will not be doing any other Ironmans outside of Hawaii. I am excited to come to the Big Island again with my family. We make it a family vacation afterward which, even after last year’s disappointing result, was still fun with my wife Isabel and two children Sophie, 4, and Charlton, 2.”


Bryan Dunn (pictured above) qualified at Arizona in the 40-44 age group. I wrote about Bryan a few years ago and had mentioned he is the son of a former AG winner.

“My mother was almost killed in a skiing accident in 1972 and overcame massive spinal injuries to become a marathon runner in the late '70s. She then moved on into triathlon, competing in the Bud Light Series, ITU Long Course Championships where she was an AG Champion, and Ironman. She went to Kona four times and twice was AG Champion, 1984 and 1989. She's mine and many others inspiration.”

Dunn carries this inspiration into his quest for a podium at the Ford Ironman World Championships. In 2007, he finished in 28th in his age group, with a very good time of 9:40. After his 9:20 performance in Arizona, Dunn hopes to move up the age group rankings.

“This year I am going to give it a shot and look for sub 9:30 and an age group podium spot if I can.”

Other athletes with performances worth noting at Ironman Arizona:
• Kevin Dessart: Won the 40-44 age group in 9:10. Dessart finished 20th in his age group at the Ford Ironman World Championships in 2007.
• Kevin Taddonio: His first Ironman was Ironman Arizona. The result was an age-group win and a time of 9:07. Taddonio has high hopes for Kona that also includes an age group record.
• Brian Keast: Looking for redemption in Arizona after a disappointing performance in Kona in 2009, when he was plagued with issues on the bike. Keast is the former course record holder in the 45-49 age group and is returning for his 15th race in Kona.

Ironman Western Australia
The story for me was Al Tarkington (below) and his performance in Busselton. Tarkington turned 70 in 2009 and wanted to make it a year to remember. Some memories include:

• Biked three double centuries (the California Triple Crown)
• Ran three half-marathons
• Finished two Ironmans (New Zealand and Kona)

Now, if all this makes you feel rather idle, Tarkington’s race at Ironman Western Australia would make it his third Ironman for the year, and he had to race the age group winner in Kona, Yutaka Kojima.

“The only other two entrants in my age group had all just finished Kona eight weeks earlier, just like me. So, just because there were only three competitors doesn't mean there is less competition. In fact, Yutaka Kojima won the 70-74 age group in Kona! Yutaka had qualified for 2010, so, technically, I could come in behind him and still earn a Kona slot. But pride was on the line.”

With only eight weeks between Kona and Western Australia, Tarkington focused on maintaining his fitness and getting in some much needed recovery time. His lack of recovery from a tough race in Kona, however, began to show during the hot conditions in Busselton and, particularly, during the run.

“It was really hot. I concentrated on fighting the urge to walk, but I was down to a shuffle. I have always walked through the aid stations, but this time the walks grew longer. The competition of Kona eight weeks earlier was taking a toll. My run was my slowest ever at 5:56. Hey, I broke 6 hours.”

When he finished, Tarkington had beaten Kojima by well over an hour and earned his qualifying spot for 2010.

The fastest age group qualifier was Mark Jansen (pictured below)  in the 35-39 age group. Jansen broke the nine-hour mark in Busselton with an 8:54 clocking and finished ninth overall.

“My plan was to go try hold it in the swim and then hammer the bike and hope that I would not blow.”


Jansen’s plan worked out as he came out of T2 in third place and, by holding 4:30/km pace throughout the run, managed to pull in the leaders and finish with a new personal best time.

In 2009, Jansen finished the Ford Ironman World Championships in 9:20 and took seventh in the age group. Look for a big race in 2010 from this athlete.

Based out of Singapore, Jansen works full time as a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers and training time is limited. However, with support of local training partners and a very supporting wife, Jansen looks to make a significant splash in Kona.

“Fortunately I have an amazing wife who is very supportive and is very adamant if I am to do Kona this year then I should be giving it 110 percent, so I am hoping I can go a few better places that last year. On top of my wife, I am supported by a strong group of friends in Singapore who join me on our weekend long rides as we do loops of Singapore.”

Other athletes with performances worth noting at Ironman Western Australia:
• Dave Boyes: 9:16 in the 45-49 age group. Boyes has a solid record in Kona and finished third in this age group in 2009.
• John Siede: Finished 22nd in the 35-39 age group last year in Kona.

Until next time, good luck to those attempting to qualify for the 2010 running of the Ford Ironman World Championships, and congratulations to those that have already qualified.

You can reach Jim Scott at jscott@ironman.com