On the 13th of May, one of the most demanding competitions in the world will take place in Mallorca, as exciting as it is challenging: the Zafiro Ironman 70.3 Mallorca, successor to Ironman Mallorca.
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What is The Ironman
The Ironman is a competition made up of 3 disciplines, each one more challenging than the last, which the athlete must complete in a maximum of 17 hours.
- Swimming: 86 km in the open sea.
- Cycling: 180 km of ascents and descents by road.
- Marathon: 2 km run.
Origin of Ironman
Like many great adventures, the story of the founding of Ironman begins with a meeting, a friendly chat and a challenge.
In 1977, John Collins, commander of the US Navy, was with his wife at the awards ceremony of the Perimeter Relay on O’ahu, Hawaii. In this relay race, in which participants complete a course around the periphery of the island, featured both Pacific runners and swimmers from the Waikiki Swim Club. Collins, who had participated in several triathlons with his wife, mentioned that a recent Sports Illustrated magazine article had named Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx as the athlete with the highest known oxygen uptake.
Following on from this, he suggested that cyclists were perhaps the fittest athletes, which sparked a discussion among the audience as to who were the most endurance athletes: long-distance swimmers, marathon runners or endurance cyclists. Unable to reach an agreement, Collins suggested that to settle the doubts they should organise a race comprising the 3 disciplines, and that the first to finish would be called Iron Man. And so it was. Just one year later, in 1978, the first edition took place, with 15 athletes taking part, 12 of whom were able to finish. The following year, with no marketing other than word of mouth, half a hundred athletes took part. Ironman was about to become a legend.
Ironman Mallorca 2023
As we have just seen, the success of Ironman is unquestionable, and since its relatively recent creation it has spread to all five continents.
The last Ironman Mallorca was held in 2022, which this year has given way to the Zafiro Ironman 70.3 Alcúdia-Mallorca, which we are sure will become the favourite of some of the best triathletes in the world. How could it not be! With its bucolic villages, beautiful coves and turquoise water, no one can doubt that this is an idyllic and ideal setting for this demanding event.
Although it will be held on May 13th, the meeting between athletes and fans will take place from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th, and it is still possible to register to participate in the race. This year 2023, the Zafiro Ironman 70.3 Alcúdia-Mallorca offers 50 qualifying places for women and another 45 for age groups for the 2023 World Championships, which will take place between 26 and 27 August in the Finnish city of Lathi.
Differences between the Ironman and the Zafiro Ironman 70.3 Alcúdia-Mallorca
The Zafiro Ironman 70.3 Mallorca includes the same disciplines of swimming, cycling and marathon. Although it is more accessible, it does not give an inch of the spirit of overcoming and passion for the sport of Ironman. The distances to be overcome are as follows:
- Swimming: 9 km in the open sea.
- Cycling: 90 km on the road.
- Marathon: 1 km run.
Figures only suitable for the best-prepared athletes after hard training and perfect fitness.
Ironman for all
You don’t have to be an elite athlete to enjoy Ironman. The Zafiro Ironman 70.3 Mallorca is open to all those who want to come and admire the spectacle of seeing so many athletes giving their best. There are VIP areas set up at the start and finish of the race, and in the Ironman Village it is possible to interact with them as well as with the official Ironman sponsors and vendors.
Ironkids
Children can also make their first forays into the race and dream of being great athletes tomorrow. The Zafiro Ironman 70.3 Mallorca encourages children to join the experience, not only as mere spectators, but also as participants in this wonderful challenge.
In order to include children and teenagers between 3 and 15 years old, the Ironkids has been created, a race divided into 4 categories by age range:
- Category L (born between 2008 and 2011): 1 km
- Category M (born between 2012 and 2014): 750 metres
- Category S (born between 2015 and 2017): 500 metres
- Category XS (born between 2018 and 2020): 250 metres
Unlike the Ironman for adults, this race will not have 3 disciplines, but will only be done running or walking, but with the same excitement and emotion of the competition for adults. The registration fee to participate is a symbolic €5, and in addition, all children will receive a medal when they cross the famous finish arch.
Watersports Mallorca and the Zafiro Ironman 70.3 Mallorca
Over the years we have seen how the Ironman has attracted more and more athletes and fans tothis fantastic event. In fact, quite a few of them have come to Watersports Mallorca to relax with a few hours of paddle surfing or wingfoil. Also the amateurs, who catch the spirit of self-improvement and don’t give up when they get on a surfboard for the first time.
The competition takes place in the bay of Alcúdia, close to where we are. That’s why we love to welcome you all to our facilities, and to be part of the memories you take with you. For us, from the first athlete who crosses the finish line to the child who gets up after falling off his windsurfing board, they are all true Ironmans.
