How did they come up with the Ironman distances?

Triathlon Forum
1

So I get the run, it’s a marathon. That’s a pretty standard format, 26.2 miles. But how did they come up with 2.4 miles for a swim and 112 miles for the run. I looked on Wiki and I kind of get the bike course, but I’ve never been to Kona so it kinda makes sense, but not totally. And I have zero idea where they came up with 2.4 miles for the swim. Anyone want to enlighten me?

2

So I get the run, it’s a marathon. That’s a pretty standard format, 26.2 miles. But how did they come up with 2.4 miles for a swim and 112 miles for the run. I looked on Wiki and I kind of get the bike course, but I’ve never been to Kona so it kinda makes sense, but not totally. And I have zero idea where they came up with 2.4 miles for the swim. Anyone want to enlighten me?

The race started on Oahu and the bike was taken from the 116 mi around the island race and shortened to 112 mi. The swim is based on the Waikiki Rough-water Swim which is 2.4 miles. The race started as a bar bet to see who was the best athlete: the swimmer, biker, or runner.

3

Ya, that’s kind of what I read but I don’t understand where the 2.4 miles comes from. Is that some particular distance from one point to another? And the 116 miles, is that the total distance around the island?

I’ll never do Kona but I would at least like to go there some day.

4

Home - Waikiki RoughWater Swim

.
Screenshot (123).png

5

Thanks for that. I checked out the site but they don’t have any history posted. I have to assume this race predates Ironman, though. Correct?

6

Here you go…All you need to know .
History (ironman.com)

7

Well, crap. I guess I could have done that if I had thought of it. I just did a search and landed on Wiki, which has a basic overview of the history but not much for details.

Thanks.