I have read articles on this site, and I am sorry but in my opinion, the (IRONMAN) on the big island of Hawaii is without a doubt the most strenuous of all sports. I have been there on the Big Island every year in October and watched all those athletes do that Iron Man. IT is really something to see. It starts out at around 7 am and ends at 12 midnight, if you are not across the finish line by then You are disqualified.

The swim comes first, 2 1/2 miles, then You have to do the 110 mile bike ,when you are through with that ,if you can still move there is the 26 mile run in the heat of the Hawaiian Island,to KOna where you finally get to the finish line on Alii drive.

Anyone who comes across the finish line before 12 midnight is considered an Iron Man,and well deserved!

In the crowd of Athletes there are some participants that are handicapped in one way or another, some have no legs, some are blind,(a friend has to do it with them, some have handicapped family members and they do the Iron-man with them and still finish before the dead line.

I have seen 80, and 90 year old athletes finish before the dead line.

All of the participants in this event are truly iron men and women.

A lot of the people in this event are just regular folks who just want to see if they can finish the Ironman.sometime problems come up and you just have to give up and go to the first aid tent on Alii drive. or you may develop leg cramps, that will cause you to have to walk your way to the finish line.

Unless You have had the privilege to watch the Ironman or participate in it You will never know how demanding this sport is on the body.

On one Iron man I watched in person some of the athletes just a mile or so from the finish line collapse on the ground,and they just scoot themselves on the pavement and cross the finish line, It is a sport you will never forget. If You can, Go to the big island in October and be thrilled Like I always am. After that you will know what the toughest sport is really about. The best part of the Ironman is the end, they have massage tents set up, You will feel like a new person when they get through with You..

Then after you go to your Condo or hotel,you take a good hot shower , get dressed and drive up to Quinn's by the sea,Restaurant and bar, order a great tasting South Pacific beer and order up a plate full of sushimi(yellow fin tuna) and a steak and spoil yourself till around 2 or 3 in the am. However if you are a participant in this sport , you may just want to crawl in bed and do nothing but sleep.

Learn more about this author, Tom Lyannas.
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