76-Year-Old St. Petersburg Triathlete Arthur Halttunen Heads to Kona to Defend His Title

St. Petersburg triathlete Arthur Halttunen, 76, will head to Kona, Hawaii, this October to compete in the IRONMAN World Championship on October 10, 2026, where he will attempt to defend his title in his age group.

Arthur is an experienced triathlete who has completed numerous IRONMAN races, but competing in Kona is something special. The World Championship is considered the pinnacle of the sport and a race that triathletes around the world dream of qualifying for and completing.

At 76, Arthur continues to maintain a rigorous daily training schedule in preparation for the grueling 140.6-mile event, which includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon. He expects to complete the race in approximately 12 hours.

Arthur will be accompanied to Hawaii by his wife, Susan Halttunen, who is submitting this announcement. Friends, family, and members of the St. Petersburg community will be able to follow
Arthur’s progress on race day through IRONMAN’s live race tracking.

Arthur’s dedication to the sport, particularly at 76, is an inspiring example of what can be accomplished through years of training, discipline, and determination.

If you are interested in interviewing Arthur or learning more about his journey to the IRONMAN World Championship, I would be happy to put you in touch with him.

Thank you for your consideration.

Susan Halttunen
St. Petersburg, Florida
727-643-1461