Ironman
Five things you should know about Ironman
Paul Kaye is the inspiring voice of top Ironman events – get the scoop from him here.
A 3.8km swim starts the 226km event
© Kelvin Trautman/Red Bull Content Pool
Just like the athletes who have been training for six months, announcer Paul Kaye will have to bring his A-game come Sunday 29 March. “It is going to be massive,” says the internationally renowned announcer of Ironman South Africa. “With an incredible field of amateurs from SA and all over the world, our biggest international field ever, as they chase the Kona dream [75 slots available] as well as one of the strongest ever pro fields – 81 lining up – including 2013 Ironman World Champion, Frederick van Lierde, all eyes will be on PE this weekend.”
Kaye has been announcing IM events regularly since Ironman South Africa 2006 (Sunday’s event will be his 10th), 70.3 since 2008 and internationally since 2010. He’s also completed two himself (2008 and 2009). He knows a thing or two about the event and here are five things we can learn from him:
Paul Kaye in his element
© Megan Gill
1. Ironman is still a very young sport
It started in 1978 in Hawaii – that’s where the heart and soul of the sport lives and is celebrated every October at the World Championship hosted in Kona. Originally it was a challenge to see who was the fittest swimmer, biker or runner. It’s a triathlon that has captured the imagination of athletes and spectators alike – as it appears almost impossible – and this is what motivates people to do it, to challenge themselves, their perceived limits and to feel alive and healthy.
2. It’s far
There’s now a half distance which is called the Ironman 70.3. As in 70.3 miles of swimming, biking and running. In Kilometres that’s a 1.9 km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km half marathon and one typically has 8.5 hours to complete the distance and disciplines. The big daddy is the full – 3.8km swim, 180.2km bike and 42.2km full marathon and 17 hours in which to finish. The world record is held by Marino Vanhoenacker, set in Austria in 2011 – I had the privilege of announcing that race – and he did the full 226km in 7h45m58s
3. The winners aren’t the real heroes
While the winner finishes anywhere between 7h45 and 8h15 – the amazing amateurs have till midnight to finish – that’s 17 hours. Sounds so long, but when you are racing it, it simply flies by. Probably the most emotional part of the race is the Heroes Hour – the final hour of the race, watching those who have been out there longest try beat the cut-off gun – impossible to explain, you have to be there to feel it.
4. It’s not impossible
You don’t need to be a freak or a super athlete! You just have to keep moving forward. The Ironman mantra is Anything is Possible and it’s gooseflesh stuff witnessing exactly that at every event I’m at. There’s also a wonderful sense of community in the sport. The pros are fierce gladiators on the race course, but great friends off of it.
5. It will change your life
Once you have done one your life will never be the same again. I’ve done two – Ironman Austria, 2008 and 2009, both in shocking times, but I finished. Everyone has a story as to why they tackle an Ironman and it’s extremely motivating to hear their stories. It’s the personal reason that motivates the journey.
At 1pm today (Wednesday, March 25) join the live interview with Matt Trautman on www.twitter.com/redbullza.