August 20, 2004 - World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announces a prize purse increase for the 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championship. By adding $50,000 to the current prize purse, the world's most famous endurance event will now have a professional prize purse totaling $480,000. Second place finishers will notice a significant increase, as their prize money will increase from $30,000 to $50,000.

“This increase is a way to compensate our professional athletes for their performances and thank them for their ongoing contribution to the sport. We will continue to strive in the pursuit of excellence and to keep the Ironman Triathlon World Championship finish line the best on Earth,” said WTC president, Ben Fertic.

The prize money for the top 10 male and female finishers is as follows:

1^st - $100,000
2^nd - $50,000
3^rd - $25,000
4^th - $15,000
5^th - $12,500
6^th - $10,000
7^th - $8,500
8^th - $7,500
9^th - $6,500
10^th - $5,000

In addition to the increase in prize money, WTC announces an adjustment in the start time of the professional athletes. Professionals will begin their race day at 6:45 a.m., while age groupers will start at the sound of the cannon at 7 a.m. By allowing the professionals to start fifteen minutes ahead, WTC is creating a forum to showcase the professionals and provide a platform for them to race amongst others in their division while on the race course.

Last year, the Ironman Triathlon World Championship welcomed a new event director, Diana Bertsch. She comments on the change, “This change will provide our professional athletes a more balanced playing field on race day, where their performance is essential to their livelihood.”

The 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championship will take place on October 16 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.  More than 50,000 athletes from around the world vie for one of the 1,700 qualifying slots, through one of the 26 qualifying events held in locations such as Australia, Canada, South Africa, Brazil and California.