KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — Faris Al-Sultan knows he'll have to be at his best today to successfully defend his title in the Ironman challenge.

"Everyone peaks for this race because it's so important," the German said yesterday, a day before the 140.2-mile race.

No changes were made to the course as a result of the 6.7-magnitude earthquake that rattled the islands less than a week ago.

Competing with Al-Sultan are the second, fourth, fifth and sixth finishers from last year as well as fellow German Normann Stadler, the 2004 winner. On the women's side, defending champion Natascha Badmann of Switzerland, and the second through fifth finishers from 2004 are back.

A close race in the pro ranks is predicted. The pros are competing for not only prestige but prize money and possible bonuses totaling $580,000. The male and female winners each get $110,000.

As usual, a key factor will be the weather. Humid conditions with light tradewinds have prevailed in recent days, although winds were forecast to pick up by race time. The race includes a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon.

Joining the pros for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship will be about 1,250 age-group, or amateur, competitors.

Included is Mitch Hall, a Navy SEAL, who was awarded the Bronze Star for duty in Afghanistan and is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in January. With that background, he probably is better prepared for the race than the average amateur. "SEALS like to do things that push the envelope," he said.

The 34-year-old instructor at the Navy Special Warfare Center in Coronado, Calif., won the Superfrog Half Ironman in San Diego for the second consecutive year last month, and has competed with the pros in several races. "There is still a gap with the pros, but I have closed that gap considerably," he said.

A 16-year Navy veteran, Hall said he may become a professional triathlete after his Navy career.

"That remains to be determined," he said.

Hall finished his first Ironman race here last year in 207th place with a time of 9 hours, 39 minutes, 40 seconds, saying he was "satisfied but not content." He hopes to be in the top 100 or 150 this year.

Hall said part of his goal is to gain exposure for the SEALS — essentially recruiting. "Our goal is to get 300 to 400 more SEALS in the next three or four years," he said.

His bike is a traveling billboard for the Navy program, with its blue-and-yellow SEAL emblems emblazoned on the frame and wheel rims.

"When they see him coming, it screams opportunity for young kids," said Dave Hecht, public affairs director for the SEALS recruiting effort.