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:
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.
