| The Hawaii Ironman grew from very humble | | | | "Ironstruck" and hear the call of the Iron Gods |
| beginnings. Really not much more than a few | | | | drawing them to this incredible event.If you are |
| friends discussing who was the better athlete---a | | | | considering challenging the Ironman for the first |
| runner, a biker or a swimmer.A suggestion was | | | | time, I sincerely hope you do it. Everyone I know |
| made that a race be invented that included all | | | | who has reached the Ironman finish line has seen |
| three elements. That day, an event was born | | | | it as a life-altering experience. There are countless |
| that would change the landscape of sporting | | | | Ironman race-day stories that are shared by |
| history.What started as a 2.4 Waikiki rough water | | | | those who have been there.Some are satisfied to |
| swim, a bike race around the island, followed by | | | | finish one race, but there are also those who |
| the Honolulu marathon gave birth to mult-event | | | | return year after year to feel that special |
| races that had never before existed.Even races | | | | Ironman bond that can only be experienced by |
| such as the Eco-challenge originated from that | | | | taking part in the frenetic, sometimes terrifying |
| small gathering of friends. Little did they know | | | | mass swim start, a long bike ride full of climbs |
| that the race would one day move to Kona on | | | | and near-misses and harrowing downhill curves |
| the big island and explode into prominence in 1982 | | | | and a marathon that will test the will, spirit and |
| when ABC television covered the race. Television | | | | courage of everyone who takes on this |
| viewers were enthralled when Julie Moss collapsed | | | | challenge.All this thanks to a few friends who had |
| in sight of Kona and then again feet from the | | | | an idea that turned into one of the worlds most |
| finish line.Who would have believed back then that | | | | amazing sporting events that gives the ordinary |
| the triathlon would find prominence as an olympic | | | | person the opportunity to accomplish something |
| event that draws athletes from countries around | | | | very, very special.My name is Ray and I'm a |
| the world.How could they possibly imagine that | | | | veteran of 14 Ironman triathlons and numerous |
| pros would be racing for huge prize money and | | | | other endurance events.I've built a site called |
| that amateurs from every corner of the earth | | | | "Ironstruck" that is full of training and racing tips |
| would challenge the Ironman distance, forever | | | | that I hope will help you reach the finish line of |
| changing their lives for the better when they | | | | your Ironman race.My site address is would also |
| realized their dream of crossing that distant finish | | | | like to hear about your Ironman plans and what |
| line.The amazing thing is, there seems to be no | | | | country you represent.Feel free to contact me |
| end in sight. Races are filling in record time year | | | | with comments or questions at....... |
| after year as individuals from all walks of life are | | | | |