Ironman World Championship 2015: Date, Time, Event Schedule and More

The Ironman World Championship has tested the mettle of elite athletes ever since its debut in 1978, and many of the toughest men and women in the world will attempt to conquer the renowned competition Saturday.

The event features three grueling stages in which the athletes must swim, bike and run their way across more than 140 miles in Hawaii without a single break in the action. Simply finishing is an absolutely massive accomplishment, but winning can take someone's notoriety to an entirely different level.

With those who qualified for the competition putting the finishing touches on their preparation, here is everything you need to know about when and how to follow the 2015 Ironman World Championship, as well as a closer look at the top entrants to keep an eye on.

Where: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

When: Saturday, Oct. 10 at 12 p.m. ET (6 a.m. Hawaiian)

Watch: Ironman.com

Event Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Competitors
Saturday, Oct. 10	12:25 p.m.	Male Pros
Saturday, Oct. 10	12:30 p.m.	Female Pros
Saturday, Oct. 10	12:55 p.m.	Age-Group Men
Saturday, Oct. 10	1:10 p.m.	Age-Group Women

Top Competitors to Watch

Sebastian Kienle

There is a certain amount of pressure on defending champions in any sport, and that burden falls on Sebastian Kienle when it comes to the men at the 2015 Ironman World Championship, as he was triumphant for the first time in 2015.

The 31-year-old German improved upon his third-place finish in 2013 by posting a winning time of eight hours, 14 minutes and 18 seconds in 2014.

As seen in this video, Kienle is very much committed to pulling off a repeat performance in 2015:

That will be easier said than done, though, as German countryman Jan Frodeno has been on the ascent since last year. The 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the men's triathlon came in third at the 2014 Ironman World Championship, and he has continued to get better.

According to MomentsOfSport.com, that motivates Kienle rather than worrying him:

"

It was exactly what needed to happen to keep me motivated after my victory last year. It is important to have somebody who pushes you forward. I don't think it creates pressure. Actually it is more the other way around. Jan is somebody where you don't have to be ashamed in case you end up in second. It motivates me way more if I have the feeling that I want to win rather than the feeling that I have to win.  I have a ton of respect for Jan and I think it is also good for the sport to have such a duel and I will give my very best to deliver a race that the people will remember.

"

Frodeno defeated Kienle in the Ironman European Championship, so it seems likely that Kienle has revenge on his mind.

He also appears ready to show the doubters that he still has what it takes to be the best in the world:

There is little doubt that Kienle will be in the mix barring injury since he has finished fourth or better in each of his past three entries in to the Ironman World Championship.

Provided he can dig down deep and channel whatever he used to win last year, Kienle is a definite threat to cross the finish line first.

Mirinda Carfrae

With two consecutive victories to her credit and a top-three result or better in six consecutive Ironman World Championship outings, Australia's Mirinda Carfrae is unquestionably the woman to beat in Hawaii.

The 34-year-old Carfrae is a three-time winner overall, and she also has the all-time course record among women with a time of eight hours, 52 minutes and 14 seconds, which she set in 2013.

Chris Stewart/Associated Press

It can be argued that there isn't much left for Carfrae to accomplish, but that notion hasn't seemed to creep into her mind whatsoever.

According to Karla Bruning of Shape.com, Carfrae wants to continue improving regardless of how much success she has enjoyed over the years:

"Kona in itself is motivating enough for me," Carfrae said. "I stumbled across that race when I was first introduced to the sport. There's just something special about the event. I'm always striving to see what my potential is on the Big Island in that race. That's what drives me. That's my motivation."

Carfrae's margin of victory dipped to just over two minutes ahead of Switzerland's Daniela Ryf last year, so she may feel as though she has something to prove.

Perhaps the field is starting to close the gap on Carfrae, but based on everything she has said leading up to the event, she certainly doesn't intend to go down without a fight.

Ben Hoffman

American men have won the Ironman World Championship 20 times, which is 13 more than the next-closest nation, but it hasn't happened since Tim DeBoom accomplished the feat in 2002. Ben Hoffman will look to end that drought Saturday.

The 32-year-old Colorado native finished second to Kienle last year and actually beat out Frodeno. Even so, most prognosticators aren't mentioning Hoffman in the same breath as the co-favorites.

That underdog status could be a positive for Hoffman, although hopes are high for him in the United States since it has been so long since an American has topped the field.

According to Julia Polloreno of Triathlon.com, Hoffman likes that his countrymen believe he has a chance to end the United States' run of futility in the Ironman World Championship:

"

I like the idea that I carry a country's hopes for a top finish in Kona. It's a real honor, and one I take seriously, so I try to channel that energy into something positive and motivating in my training, and during the race. Yes, it is pressure, but it is not the primary motivation for my race. As far as handling external pressure, I feel very fortunate to have a team of sponsors and supporters that just allows me to focus on myself, the necessary preparation, and nothing else, because they trust me. In addition to my own coping methods, these people shoulder some of that burden, and allow me to deal with the biggest pressure of all, which comes from my own personal expectations.

"

The fact that the competition is held in Hawaii would certainly make an American winner special, but Hoffman will have his work cut out for him.

If he can improve upon what he did last year and get some help in the form of Kienle and Frodeno not quite living up to expectations, though, he has a puncher's chance.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.