Over the past three decades, Active Release Techniques has quietly influenced the Ironman World Championship in Kona through empowering elite athletes to perform at their best, and in helping contribute to the event’s therapeutic, humancentered ethos. Here’s how ART has woven itself into the Kona narrative throughout the years.
ART’s Emergence at IRONMAN
Dr. Leahy, founder of ART, began his engagement in the IRONMAN world in Kona, HI, in 1988. Observing a gap in athlete care, he started working the race himself and eventually expanded to a team of sixty healthcare professionals. Despite challenges integrating ART into the medical team, ART’s presence at the Kona race has become an essential part of the support system allowing athletes to receive free treatment the week leading up to the race.
ART’s role is vital in helping athletes perform their best and complete the race. Many competitors arrive with strains and injuries that might otherwise prevent them from participating. However, with ART’s support, they frequently find themselves able to compete. The deep gratitude from these athletes—often expressed through heartfelt, enthusiastic hugs at the finish line—demonstrates the significant impact ART has on their performance and overall race experience.
ART’s Role in the Bigger Picture: Beyond Treatment
The presence of ART at Kona aligns beautifully with the race’s broader themes—resilience, community, and respect for the human body. Ironman’s own ethos encourages mindfulness, shared experience, and giving back to the land and people of Hawaiʻi. ART’s emphasis on holistic, hands-on care resonates with that ethos, reinforcing the power of human touch in elite athletic performance.
Still Present Today
ART’s evolution at Kona mirrors the Ironman journey itself—from raw endurance to refined excellence supported by science, compassion, and community. In the years to come, ART’s role will grow, healing more athletes, enhancing performance, and affirming the spirit of Aloha that defines Kona.
How To Get Treatment
If you are attending the World Championship IRONMAN in Kona this October, come see us at the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, October 6-10.
Patti’s IRONMAN Story
Patti Vetter, ART’s Controller and a 15-time IRONMAN finisher, embodies resilience and passion—turning personal loss and injury into fuel for endurance success. With the help of ART treatments, she’s regaining strength and chasing bold goals, proving that true toughness comes from both body and spirit.
