TRIA THLON
IRONMAN AND HOW IT ENDED UP IN AUSTRIA
late 80s fields of over a 1,000 were foundLegend has it that Ironman was invented
each October in Hawaii.following a swimming race, the Oahu
A good capitalist then stepped in, asPerimeter 2.4-mile swim, in Hawaii way,
they saw a money-making opportunity,way back in only 1977. A number of
firstly by registering the name Ironman asrunners who participated started debating
a trademark. With demand outstrippingwith the swimmers as to who was fitter.
capacity in Hawaii they came up with theNot to be outdone a cyclist present at
idea that the Hawaii event would becomethe awards ceremony chipped in with the
the world championships and furtherclaim that he and his brethren should have
franchised races would be held aroundthis honour bestowed upon them.
the world and serve as qualifiers to get toSo up stepped the US army to sort out
Hawaii. The beauty of amateur sport!the debate; how history repeats itself. Navy
Tourist hotspots around the USA andCommander John Collins had taken part
Europe with beaches, lakes and hotels toin the inaugural triathlon, which had taken
fill, jumped upon the idea and in 1998 theplace in San Diego two years previously.
Photo: Bollweintown of Klagenfurt in Austria hosted theCollins suggested that the debate should be
inaugural Ironman Austria. The race hassettled through a race combining the three
grown to be the biggest Ironman race inexisting long-distance competitions already
Europe with 2,500 entrants each year. Theon the island: the Waikiki Roughwater
2009 edition sold out all its slots in 92Swim (2.4 miles), the Around-Oahu
minutes!Bike Race (112 miles) and the Honolulu
The swim takes place in LakeMarathon (26.2 miles).
Worther, with the last 500m seeing theOn the race sheet given to each of
athletes swim up the canal. The bikethe 15 men who started the first race was
Photo: Bollweincourse is a two-lap affair held aroundwritten at the bottom, “Swim 2.4 miles!
the lake and is well known for theBike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for
enthusiastic supporters. The Austriansthe rest of your life.” Now isn’t that the
come out in force with local bands and toprize that every weekend warrior seeks?
ring cow bells as the athletes struggle upIt was decided that whoever finished
the few climbs on the course.first would be called the ‘Ironman’, which
Back to the start and the cyclists nowseems quite fitting given what they had
transform into runners and complete twojust undertaken.
laps of a course in and around Klagenfurt.The race grew quickly in popularity
In a sadistic twist, the runners pass thehelped in no small part by an iconic
finish line four times, before actually‘Sports Illustrated’ article in 1979, and
finishing. I’m sure the temptation to lieeven more so by the great race of 1982
about the number of laps completedwhen ABC broadcast images across
crosses every competitor’s mind.America of two women literally crawling
The winner will probably take justover the line, crippled with dehydration,
under eight hours to finish. At the otherfighting for the win. (If you haven’t seen
end of the spectrum, to officially finish,this, check out the videos on www.
you must cross the line by midnight, 17outsider.ie).
hours after the start cannon at 7am. WinDespite the race’s severity, the entry
or loose, it’s a long day! Photo: Bollweinnumbers continued to rocket and by the
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