The Iron Man World Triathlon Championships is an annual race event that comprises a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26+ mile run, in that order. A shorter race of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run is referred to as a half-ironman, and sometimes used as the qualifying event.
Fast Facts:
- Originated in San Diego, California (1978)
- Annual event currently held in Hawaii
- Open to both sexes
- First Ironman had 15 competitors; 12 finished
- Competitors now number over 1500
