Ironman
The most famous brand of long-distance triathlon, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run.
What is an Ironman?
Ironman is technically a trademarked brand of races, but it has become the generic term for the full-distance triathlon:
- 🏊 2.4 mile (3.86 km) Swim
- 🚴 112 mile (180.25 km) Bike
- 🏃 26.2 mile (42.2 km) Run
Total distance: 140.6 miles.
The Challenge
Competitors typically have 17 hours to complete the course (usually starting at 7 AM and finishing by Midnight).
- Pros: Finish in ~8 hours.
- Amateurs: Finish in 10-16 hours.
IRONMAN 70.3
Also known as a Half Ironman, this series covers exactly half the distance (70.3 total miles). It is a hugely popular stepping stone to the full distance.
The Mantra
The finish line of an Ironman is famous for the announcer calling out each finisher's name followed by: "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!"
Kona
The Ironman World Championship is held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. It is the holy grail of triathlon, requiring strict qualification or a legacy lottery spot.
Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles, Brag for the rest of your life. — John Collins, Ironman Founder
Ironman
Explore more at
RunningSlang.com
Related Terms
Bonk / The Wall
The dreaded moment when your body runs out of glycogen and you feel like you can't take another step.
Marathon
A long-distance road race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometers (26.219 miles), the ultimate test of human endurance.
Triathlon
A multisport race consisting of swimming, cycling, and running, performed in that specific order.
Race & Results
Know a term we missed?
Help us grow the dictionary by submitting new running terms or slang.
Submit a Term