Ironman History

News

How to Win the 70.3/Kona Double, From Two Champs Who Have Done Exactly That

Only four triathletes have ever won the Ironman 70.3 and Kona world championships in the same year. Two of them - Craig Alexander and Leanda Cave - share what it takes to pull it off, plus the 2026 contenders who could do just that.

News

These 2026 Pros Remind Us of Some Triathlon Greats

Mark Allen, Chris Lieto, Lori Bowden, and Normann Stadler are all names cemented in triathlon lore, but what about the new class? We look at the current roster of top pros to see who has flashes of legend-making brilliance.

News

An Oral History of Triathlon's (Funky, Freewheeling) Formative Years

"People showed up for triathlons based on their high level of physical fitness. They were not training in the three sports; they were strong athletes who showed up to have fun!”

News

The Closest Kona Battles in Ironman World Championship History

Iron War wasn't the only Kona race that had fans on the edge of their seats. These epic Kona battles were thrilling to the very last second.

News

The Best Women's Ironman World Championship Performances of All Time

With a rich 40+ year history, the Ironman World Championship is home to some of the greatest races in the sport of triathlon. Expert Thorsten Radde has created an objective, data-based system to rank the 10 very best.

News

34 Years Before the Ironman Pro Series, There Was the Ironman World Series

Few know that there was an Ironman World Series held between 1990-1993 with a participant list that reads like the triathlon hall of fame—what can today’s pros learn from the past?

Training

How Long is Ironman? A Look at How the Ironman Distance Came to Be

An Ironman distance triathlon – sometimes called the iron-distance – is 140.6 miles. But why?

Culture

Triathlon History: The Sport's Roots