Ironman is a long-distance triathlon race organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) . The full event consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run, all to be completed in a time limit of 17 hours with cut off times for each leg. Participants who finish within the time parameters achieve the prestigious title of Ironman. The Ironman brand is so strong that it often gets confused with the Iron distance category. The Ironman Triathlon was first held in Hawaii on February 18, 1978, and the name Ironman is said to have been derived from a statement made regarding the winner of what was clearly going to be a grueling triathlon race: “Whoever finishes first, we shall call him the Iron Man” .

Ironman is a household name across the globe, and there are hundreds of Ironman races around the world, from the Americas, Europe, and the Oceania region, with thousands of people competing in an Ironman event every year. Athletes qualify for the Ironman World Championship in a variety of ways. Professional athletes acquire points based on their placement in a previous Ironman race, and the top 50 males and 35 females then qualify to compete in the Ironman World Championship. Amateur athletes are also able to qualify based on their placement in the Ironman or a few select Ironman 70.3 races.

Ironman events are draft-illegal, which means that participants cannot sit in the slipstream of another rider to save energy. They have to keep at a distance of at least 12 meters from others, and if passing, they must do so within 25 seconds. The race marshals are tasked with enforcing these rules, which can mean disqualification for those who break them.

In summary, Ironman is a long-distance triathlon race consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run, all to be completed in a time limit of 17 hours with cut off times for each leg. Participants who finish within the time parameters achieve the prestigious title of Ironman.