Unleash the Ironman in You

By: Haley Colvin
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The Ironman Triathlon has become world famous for its grueling distance. Triathlons are unlike other athletic events, because they require participants to be well-rounded athletes. Competitors must swim 2.4 miles in open water, bike 112 miles and end the race with a 26.2 mile run.

The sport of triathlon started in Southern California when athletic clubs decided to combine swimming, cycling and running events to celebrate summer activities and fitness, but it was made famous by athletes in Hawaii. In 1978 members of the Mid-Pacific Road Runners and the Waikiki Swim Club joined forces in Honolulu, Hawaii to host the first Ironman Triathlon. The clubs wanted to see who out of swimmers or runners were in better shape. The club members combined the race courses for the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, the Around-Oahu Bike Race and the Honolulu Marathon to create what is now, famously termed, the Ironman Triathlon. Fifteen athletes started the race and twelve completed the first Ironman. Today around 1500 participants show up to compete in the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.

The challenge of the Ironman is intriguing, and each year thousands cross the finish line. Most compete for personal glory and to simply finish the distance. University Recreation and Intramural Sports want to encourage all members of the Student Recreation Center to try the distance during our Self Directed Triathlon in February. The fastest Ironman finisher, Luc Van Lierde completed the 1996 Ironman Europe race in 7:50:27, but participants in the Self Directed Triathlon will have 3 weeks to complete the distance. Participants will record their mileage for those three weeks in an attempt to complete the challenging Ironman Distance in smaller, more manageable increments.

So take the challenge and sign up beginning January 22. The excitement will begin February 8th so get ready to test your distance. Remember with Ironman Triathlons, fast is good but distance is better!