We speak to Rachel Joyce, professional triathlete and co-founder of TriEqual, to find out everything you need to know about the #50WomentoKona campaign and about the website she\u2019s helped create to fairness, development and equality in triathlon.<\/p>\n
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>>> 50 Women to Kona campaign steps up a gear<\/p>\n
To someone who doesn\u2019t know about the movement, why is it so important?<\/strong><\/p>\n Triathlon leads the way in many respects when it comes to equality. Women race over the same distance for the same prize money as men. This is brilliant and way ahead of some sports.<\/p>\n However, at one of the pinnacle events of the sport, the Ironman World Championships, 50 men are given the opportunity to qualify and race, while only 35 women are given that same opportunity\u00a0(the same is true of the Ironman 70.3 World Championships).\u00a0<\/p>\n That is not equal. To some it may seem small, and say: \u201cSo what? It only affects 15 women.\u201d Well, it affects 15 women every year. It means 15 women do not have the opportunity to represent their sponsors at the most visible event in the triathlon calendar.<\/p>\n Dear @CEOIronman, I tried to explain #50womentokona to my sons. Couldn\u2019t. And to my daughters. Same. Sincerely, #agegrouperforequality<\/p>\n \u2014 Kent Lassman (@klassman) March 8, 2015<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n At TriEqual though, we think that the impact of unequal numbers at the top of the sport goes beyond just the professionals directly affected. Our mission is to help make triathlon a more fair and equal sport. Increasing women\u2019s participation in the sport at all levels is encompassed by this. We believe that leading by an example can contribute to this effort.\u00a0<\/p>\n How successful was the #50WomentoKona campaign which took place over International Women\u2019s Day?<\/p>\n It was successful in bringing this issue to the attention of many more people. Many age-groupers and fans of the sport were not aware of the unequal numbers in Kona. When they understood the situation, well, many got straight onto social media to voice their support.<\/p>\n @50WomenToKona She might not make it, she might not want it, but she should have the chance #50womantokona pic.twitter.com\/ITGWFFtTfj<\/p>\n \u2014 Scott Gray (@scottjamesgray) March 9, 2015<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n From our point of view (TriEqual) that was huge. It raised awareness and by doing so showed us that this issue does matter to people.\u00a0It highlighted to us, and perhaps some at the WTC, that this issue has the support of people outside the professional women\u2019s field and this support can help us pursue our objectives.<\/p>\n Why is there a large focus on Kona?<\/p>\n TriEqual is focusing on gaining 50 starting spots for the professional women for a few reasons. For many people Kona is their first introduction to this thing called Ironman. It is an iconic race \u2013 the event that is on almost every triathlete\u2019s bucket list. It is a very visible show of inequality.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know much but I do know pissing off a group of motivated intellegent women is a bad idea. #50womentokona #TWU<\/p>\n \u2014 Harold Wilson (@hwfitness) March 8, 2015<\/p>\n\n
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