The point of an IRONMAN race is to push the human body to its furthest physical capabilities. What started in 1978 as a friendly(ish) competition between 15 swimmers, cyclists, and runners to settle the score of what discipline fosters the most fit athletes, the Ironman has grown to be dominated by a culture of athletic crazy people who devote their lives to training for and competing in these races, which now occur all over the world. The format is set at a 2.4 mile open ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile bicycle ride, and culminating with a full 26.2 mile marathon.
Every year, the IRONMAN race season concludes on the Big Island of Hawaii, where the World Championship race goes down on what is collectively agreed to be the most challenging race course that exists. Thousands of spectators come from all over the world to watch thousands of competitors suffer—physically and mentally—as they put themselves through hell for up to 17 hours.