IRONMAN TRIATHLON
The Ironman World Triathlon Championship is an annual event held in the city of Kailua-Kona in Hawaii. Even more gruelling and challenging than the regular triathlon, the event attracts athletes who are into extreme endurance.There's no shortage of competitors with qualifying events taking place all over the world. By 2007 there were 21 Ironman Triathlon qualifying races taking place in countries in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Ironman Triathlon starts off with a 2.4 mile ocean swim in Kailua-Kona Bay. This is followed by a 112 mile cycle ride across the Hawaiian lava desert. It ends with a marathon-length (26.2 mile) run along the coast of the Big Island.
The Ironman Triathlon was the brainchild of US Navy commander John Collins. After being involved in the early triathlon events in San Diego, he took the concept to Hawaii. There he merged three of Oahu Island's existing sports events - the Waikiki Rough Water Swim, the Around-Oahu Bike Ride and the Honolulu Marathon – into one grand and gruelling event, the Ironman.
A 3-page guide to handed out to competitors ended with the exhortation, “Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life!”
Nowadays, the Ironman Triathlon is held each fall. Not surprisingly, winning the Ironman Triathlon is extremely prestigious. Even completing the course is often the highlight of many triathletes' career. Crossing the finishing line within the prescribed time limits allows the athlete to call himself "ironman" (this includes women too).