IRONMAN: The Ultimate Race for Record-Breakers

The Birth of a Triathlon Monument 

Yet, IRONMAN isn't just any triathlon. First and foremost, IRONMAN is a brand, trademarked by the World Triathlon Corporation 💪. 

So where did this famous project begin? It was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii that American John Collins, a commander in the US Navy, took the initiative 📍. He decided to combine three disciplines into a single event. Completing an IRONMAN means managing to swim 3.8 km, bike 180 km, and run a marathon (42.195 km) 🤩.

John Collins declared that those who managed to finish the race would be considered iron men, which is where the name IRONMAN comes from 🦿. The first IRONMAN triathlon took place in 1978 in Honolulu with just 15 participants. Thanks to Barry McDermott, a journalist present on the island during the first event, the race would get a new start 📰. He wrote an article about the event that had a significant impact on its future… ✍️

Following that, the ABC television network filmed the event and greatly helped in spreading its fame on an international level. Since then, there's even the IRONMAN 70.3, which could also be called the Half (semi) IRONMAN. To complete it, one must finish 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling, and a half-marathon! 🥵

Photo Credit: IRONMAN

2025: The Year of All Records for IRONMAN

Today, IRONMAN doesn’t need to fight to find athletes; it is a prestigious race for the most daring and well-prepared. It's the athletes who battle to earn their spot 🏃‍➡️. Worldwide, there are over 170 IRONMAN events. Many of them are already sold out for the 2025 season, such as the IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship or Copenhagen ✅. In Europe alone, more than 71% of the spots are already taken. 

Nationally, it’s the same story. The IRONMAN Nice is already full and is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary 🎂. The IRONMAN Sables-d’Olonne - Vendée is expected to sell out soon, with less than 100 places still available.

The IRONMAN 70.3 races are also highly sought after, as they are more accessible, even though they still represent a significant achievement! 🚴‍♀️ The IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-Provence, IRONMAN 70.3 Tours Metropole – Loire Valley, and IRONMAN 70.3 Nice are sold out over six months before their start 🫣. The IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy is one of the few not yet sold out—it will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year and promises to be an emotional experience. 

Photo Credit: IRONMAN

2025 seems to be the year where anything is possible for IRONMAN, already breaking attendance records 🏆. Many races will celebrate their anniversaries, promising to create unforgettable memories for participants and supporters alike 🔥.