Kona Inspired Submission Deadline Extended To May 31

The 2013 “Kona Inspired” contest’s video submission deadline has been extended to May 31. The program, launched in 2012, is an alternative way for triathletes to have the chance to race the Ironman World Championship without having to qualify. The program helps to find inspirational athlete stories—all you have to do is submit a video (90 seconds or less) that shows how you exemplify the Ironman mantra “Anything is Possible.” Through the program, not only will incredible athletes get to race in Kona, the global triathlon community will also be choosing the inspirational age-group athletes highlighted in the media coverage surrounding the event.

New this year are more eligible regions (Mexico, Canada, Germany and Australia, in addition to the U.S.) as well as an enhanced prize package (not only will winners have an Ironman Hawaii race entry, they’ll also receive a VIP package, have access to the Ironman Foundation’s fundraising platform to help them support their cause, and more). Plus, this year, the program features a celebrity ambassador, Thad Beaty, the guitarist for the band Sugarland.

To upload a video for the contest, visit Konainspired.com or Facebook.com/Ironmantri. Videos must by uploaded by May 31. Then a panel of Ironman brand representatives will choose 45 finalists from the videos uploaded. Their judging criteria is broken up as follows: 50 percent based on public interest (measured by interest and viewings over social media, etc.), 30 percent based on how well the person represents the mantra “Anything is Possible,” and 20 percent based on overall creativity and artistic merit.

The 45 finalists will be split into three 10-day voting rounds of 15 finalists each (the first voting round starts June 5). The public vote will determine two winners from each of the three rounds, plus the panelists will determine one more wild card selection from the remaining 39 finalists—totaling seven Kona Inspired winners.

So far, WTC has reported they’ve received 98 video entries—eight from Australia, two from Mexico, six from Canada, four from Germany and 78 from America.

Among the 2012 Kona Inspired winners were Brady Murray, who raised funds for orphans with Down syndrome, and Molli Serrano, a pancreatic cancer survivor. For more information about the program, for official contest rules or to start voting on June 5, visit Konainspired.com.

RELATED:
– Kona Inspired: Racing For Orphans With Down Syndrome
– Pancreatic Cancer Survivor Racing Through Kona Inspired

Our Twitter followers are the first to know about the latest in triathlon news. Follow us now @Triathletemag.