Ironman New Zealand Curtain Raiser

Is Ironman a big deal? To which Mark Hollander a post-Covid Ironman replied "It is a monumental achievement that demands unwavering dedication, physical endurance, and mental fortitude. It also gives you sore legs the next day and bragging rights for the rest of your life!" 

Ironman started as an endurance sport in Hawai in 1978 which was won by US Navy personnel. The Ironman New Zealand  in 1985 became the first overseas event outside US. For the first 14 years it was held in Auckland. It then moved to Taupo in 1999. My son Ankush is participating in Ironman New Zealand on 1st March 2025 (IMNZ-2025 for short). Ironman is currently held annually in more than 50 locations worldwide including Antarctica. This story is a curtain raiser for IMNZ-2025 in Taupo.

What is Ironman

It is a swim, bike and run event. 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike followed by 42.2 km marathon run in that order same day. Yes, the same day. The total comes to 140.6 miles. Half of that is 70.3. There is a shorter event called the 70.3. Ankush  had completed 70.3 Ironman in Goa in 2022. You may browse his story in the link below:

Ironman in the Family

The Venue

Ironman New Zealand 2025 in Taupo has a happening venue. With more than 2000 participants it was buzzing with activity two days in advance. The registration desks were all manned by volunteers who were students as well as teachers from schools in Taupo as well as Auckland. Taupo is a beautiful city with the picturesque Lake Taupo where the swim part of IMNZ is held. See the pictures below.

Registration Kit

The kit had the bib for the run, waterproof tatoo for the swim and stickers for the bike and transition bags. In addition, it had a hand-written letter by a middle school student addressed to the participant. It was such a sweet gesture. See the pictures below.

The Preparation 

Most participants bring their own bikes. the bikes have to be unpacked, re-assembled and tested. Similarly, one has to acclimatise to the water temperature and do a short swim. Bikes along with change of clothing and shoes for the run have to be deposited in the 'Transition' area in advance. Transition briefing was done by the IM staff a day in advance. See more pictures below.

Now all ears are tuned to the hooter to be sounded at 8 AM tomorrow. It marks the start of the swim to be followed by the bike and run. For the next 17 torturous hours the athletes will toil continuously to qualify and earn the title of an Ironman. And yes, sore legs the next day and bragging rights for the rest of their lives!

All the best to Ankush and rest of the participants of IMNZ-2025. 

Thanks for browsing

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Ankush Bhargava/Taupo, NZ/28th Feb 2025

#Ironman #IMNZ #IMNZ2025 #IMNZTaupo #Taupo #NewZealand #IronmanAthletes #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh