| The Hawaii Ironman grew from very humble | | | | better when they realized their dream of crossing |
| beginnings. Really not much more than a few friends | | | | that distant finish line. |
| discussing who was the better athlete---a runner, a | | | | The amazing thing is, there seems to be no end in |
| biker or a swimmer. | | | | sight. Races are filling in record time year after year |
| A suggestion was made that a race be invented that | | | | as individuals from all walks of life are "Ironstruck" |
| included all three elements. That day, an event was | | | | and hear the call of the Iron Gods drawing them to |
| born that would change the landscape of sporting | | | | this incredible event. |
| history. | | | | If you are considering challenging the Ironman for the |
| What started as a 2.4 Waikiki rough water swim, a | | | | first time, I sincerely hope you do it. Everyone I |
| bike race around the island, followed by the Honolulu | | | | know who has reached the Ironman finish line has |
| marathon gave birth to mult-event races that had | | | | seen it as a life-altering experience. There are |
| never before existed. | | | | countless Ironman race-day stories that are shared |
| Even races such as the Eco-challenge originated from | | | | by those who have been there. |
| that small gathering of friends. Little did they know | | | | Some are satisfied to finish one race, but there are |
| that the race would one day move to Kona on the | | | | also those who return year after year to feel that |
| big island and explode into prominence in 1982 when | | | | special Ironman bond that can only be experienced |
| ABC television covered the race. Television viewers | | | | by taking part in the frenetic, sometimes terrifying |
| were enthralled when Julie Moss collapsed in sight of | | | | mass swim start, a long bike ride full of climbs and |
| Kona and then again feet from the finish line. | | | | near-misses and harrowing downhill curves and a |
| Who would have believed back then that the | | | | marathon that will test the will, spirit and courage of |
| triathlon would find prominence as an olympic event | | | | everyone who takes on this challenge. |
| that draws athletes from countries around the world. | | | | All this thanks to a few friends who had an idea that |
| How could they possible imagine that pros would be | | | | turned into one of the worlds most amazing sporting |
| racing for huge prize money and that amateurs from | | | | events that gives the ordinary person the |
| every corner of the earth would challenge the | | | | opportunity to accomplish something very, very |
| Ironman distance, forever changing their lives for the | | | | special. |