I spent this weekend messing around with the Ironman race thing in Hawaii. I wanted to figure out when the 2023 race was held. It’s a big deal, you know, with all those super-fit people swimming, biking, and running like crazy.
First, I tried to find out the exact date. Turns out, they split the event into two days. I found out they did something similar in 2022, so I guess it’s becoming a thing.
Here’s what I dug up:
- The 2023 race happened in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. No surprise there, that’s where they always hold it.
- They had the women’s race separate from the men’s. Smart move, I guess. Gives everyone a fair shot.
Figuring Out the Schedule
So, I went deeper into the schedule. This race is nuts. They start with a 2.4-mile swim. Can you believe that? And it’s not just any swim, it starts and ends at this pier in Kailua Kona.
But that’s just the beginning. After the swim, they hop on their bikes for a 112-mile ride. And get this, they ride through these hot lava fields. It’s insane! I read about some guy named Patrick Lange who finished the whole race in 7:35:53 in 2024, he must be a machine! Apparently, he won the thing three times. There were also two other guys, Magnus Ditlev and Rudy Von Berg, who came in second and third. Those are probably tough.
Finding More Details
I kept searching and found that the world’s best triathletes show up for this thing every year. This year’s athletes had to work very hard to compete with recent.
For the first time, the professional women’s race will be held separately from the men’s race. The women’s race will take place in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, on Saturday.
I also noticed a press release from some place called TAMPA, but it was dated February 21st, so it didn’t seem that useful for figuring out the 2023 race date.
Anyway, it was a fun little project. I’m not planning on doing an Ironman anytime soon, but it’s cool to learn about it. Those athletes are seriously dedicated. I mean, I can barely run a mile without stopping, let alone swim 2.4 and bike 112 first!
