Introducing the
IRONMAN TRIATHLON CHALLENGE
Richard Mallett
IRONMAN TRIATHLON CHALLENGE
RICHARD MALLETT
T
he World Triathlon Corporation organises Ironman events, which are generally considered one of the most challenging one-day sporting events.
Components and Distances A triathlon of any length is made up of three components – a swim, a cycle ride and a run – always in that order and completed back-to-back without a break in between. For Ironman events, contestants are expected to swim for 2.4 miles, transition to a 112mile bicycle ride, and finally run for a full marathon of 26.22 miles.
The Ironman triathlon is one of the hardest of the recognised triathlon events, featuring more gruelling distances than other format of this type of race.
Time Limits Most Ironman triathlons have time limits both for the event as a whole and for each component of the race. Depending on the specifics of the course, the total time limit will usually be between 16 and 17 hours. Events usually start at 7am, with a 9:20am cut-off for swimming, 5:30pm cut-off for cycling, and a race completion time of midnight. Anyone who completes the course within these time limits is designated an official Ironman.
You can learn more about this and other categories of triathlon by visiting THE BLOG OF RICHARD MALLETT.