An Ironman is a long-distance triathlon race organized by the Ironman franchise. The term "Ironman" has become synonymous with races of this distance, which is comprised of a 2.4-mile (3.8km) swim, a 112-mile (180km) bike ride, and a 26.2-mile (42.2km) run. The total combined length of the full race is 140.6 miles (or 226.3 kilometers) . The Ironman brand also puts on shorter Ironman 70.3 races (also known as a half-Ironman), which cover half the distance of a full Ironman with a 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim, 56-mile (90km) bike, and 13.1-mile (21.1km) run. People completing a full Ironman within the strict event time cutoffs are recognized as "Ironmen". An Ironman is widely considered to be the gold standard of endurance triathlon racing and is not for the faint-hearted. It requires a long-term commitment to training combined with disciplined time management. It is generally recommended to complete a couple of half-Ironman triathlons before leveling up to Ironman.