In 2027, I'm racing the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona on behalf of the IRONMAN Foundation. I was selected for one of a limited number of Team IMF World Championship entries, with a commitment to raise $50,000 for the Foundation along the way.
Kona has always carried more meaning for me than just being another race. Triathlon has been part of my family for generations, and this is a chance to take on the race they both cared about most while also raising money for something worthwhile.
My grandfather was a triathlete and had always wanted to race Kona, but never got the chance before he passed away. My dad also raced triathlons and made it to Kona as a spectator, but never had the opportunity to compete there himself. Racing it now feels like a pretty meaningful continuation of that story.
I was selected to receive one of Team IMF's limited Kona entries. My place in the race is secured through the program, and in return I've committed to raising $50,000 for the IRONMAN Foundation by September 2027.
For the IRONMAN Foundation by September 2027.
This tracks the work that has gone into the project from my first structured block through Santa Cruz and into the build toward Kona.
The first logged swim-bike-run block in this training history.
From here, the history is based on completed TrainingPeaks workouts and device data.
IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz — 5:29:35.
The next phase is about becoming strong enough to race the full distance well.
Every documented workout I can reconstruct from May 18 through now. The totals are live: new logged workouts roll straight into the numbers.
I wanted the campaign to be clear about actual impact — things you can picture, not just generic “community support.” These are the Foundation programs that stood out to me.
Foundation grants support local organizations that serve communities year-round.
Across 27 communities over the next three years through Swim Ready.
Bicycles and helmets for youth through Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA partners, school districts and The Anna Foundation in South Africa.
Through 2029, helping young athletes get access to sport and stay active.
The Foundation's Kona initiative includes goals of 10,000 swim lessons, 1,000 bikes, and $400,000 in additional program and community grants.
A little more context on me, Kona, Team IMF, and the Foundation.
I'm Walker Wells. I live in San Francisco and spend most of my time building a company. Outside of work, endurance sports have become a major part of my life, and this site is my public log of the build to Kona.
There is a family connection. My grandfather was into triathlon and had always wanted to race Kona, but passed away before he had the chance. My dad also raced triathlons and attended Kona as a spectator, but never raced it himself. Getting to compete there feels meaningful for that reason beyond the race itself.
The IRONMAN World Championship in Kona is the sport's iconic full-distance championship in Hawaiʻi: a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile marathon.
I was selected for one of a limited number of Team IMF World Championship entries. My entry is secured through the program, and I've committed to raise $50,000 for the IRONMAN Foundation by September 2027.
The money supports the IRONMAN Foundation's charitable work, including youth swim safety, bikes and helmets for kids, IRONKIDS scholarships, food banks and community services, schools and youth programs, and local nonprofit grants. The impact section above highlights the programs that stood out most to me.
Yes. The training ledger is meant to show the full build rather than only the race result. It includes the history from my original training notes, TrainingPeaks, Santa Cruz race day, and new workouts going forward.
If you'd like to support the campaign, you can donate, sponsor, offer a matching gift, share it, or introduce me to someone who may want to get involved.
Official donation page coming soonAbout the Foundation