Ironman 70.3 World Championship 2024 Photos – Women’s Race Day

Unique to the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, a waka made up entirely of wāhine (women) will kick off the women’s-only race day on Saturday 14 December. When the waka arrives on the beach, Ngāti Tūwharetoa wāhine will emulate the mahi (strength) of the tāne (men) and challenge the female athletes to push themselves beyond their normal boundaries. With their kahui maunga (chiefly mountains) at their backs, their moana (inland sea) at their feet and Aotearoa’s most significant awa to their side (Waikato River), they will uphold the traditions of their forefathers and mothers in a demonstration of mana whenua (custodianship) and aroha through a demonstration of Ahai (rakau/paddle moves), wero (challenge), and haka. This is unique in the sense that this has not happened on Taupō moana for a long time; if it has happened at all.