In 1997, Paula Newby-Fraser summed up the race with the following words: “Your Ironman charisma is not complete without doing this race”.
The Ironman is the Triathlon’s most challenging and important trials. The race has a time limit of 17 hours, an average time of 12 hours, and the current record time is 8:04:08 (Hawaii – 1996). It consists of a 3,800 metre swim, a cycling race of 180 km, and 42.2km on foot (jogging). Only qualified triathletes, the best prepared in the world, take part in the world championship, and they need to train hard to enter this challenge, covering huge distances cycling, swimming and running per week for a minimum of one or two years, both amateurs and professionals alike, in addition to taking part in a series of qualifiying stages (like the Lanzarote Ironman) to be able to compete. You have to be devoted to qualify.
The World Championship reaches its climax in Hawaii each year, but other Ironmans take place as qualifying sessions for the world championship during the rest of the year, amongst them the Lanzarote Ironman.
WHO: Around 1000 competitors, ages 18-80, from approximately 40 countries.
WHAT: A 3,8 Km ocean swim (2 laps), 180 Km bike race (over the island) and 42,2 Km run (4 laps), Competitors have 17 hours to finish the race; cutoff times are also applied to each segment of the race.
WHEN: May 19, 2007, beginning at 07.00 am.
WHERE: Puerto del Carmen. The swim segment begins next to the hotel Fariones, which is situated in the old part of Puerto del Carmen.
RÉCORDS
RECORDS: Men - Thomas Hellriegel, GER, 08:35:40 in 1995, Women - Paula Newby-Fraser, ZIM, 09:24:39 in 1995.
PURSE: Both the first male and female finisher receive 8500 $US (50,000$US total prize purse for top 10 PRO).
TRAINING: The average Ironman triathlete spends 18 to 24 hours each week training for this event. A typical week includes 5 km of swimming, 140 km of biking and 30 km of running. Many competitors also cross train with weight training, stretching and yoga, among other activities.
WEATHER: In the morning it will probably be around 22ºC (70ºF ). The temperature will most likely increase during the day to 28- 30ºC ( 90ºF ) and heavy wind may occur.
WINNERS 2008
Men: Bert Jammaer, BEL, 08:59:38
Women: Bella Comerford, GBR, 10:02:28
WINNERS 2007
Men: Eneko Llanos Burguera, ESP, 08:49:38
Women: Tiina Boman, FIN, 09:58:41
WINNERS 2006
Men: T. Hellriegel, GE, 08:35:40
Women: Paula Newby-Fraser, ZM, 09:24:39
WINNERS 2005
Men - Ain-Alar Juhanson, EST, 08:55:37
Women - Virginia Berasategui, ESP, 10:09:39
WINNERS 2004
Men - René Rovera, FRA, 08:48:31
Women - Virginia Berasategui, ESP, 09:41:51
WINNERS 2003
Men - Hellriegel, Thomas, GER, 08:56:44
Women - Blanco Velasco, Maribel, ESP, 10:29:50
WINNERS 2002
Men - Sandvang, Peter, DIN, 08:48:44
Women - Blanco Velasco, Maribel, ESP, 10:11:14
WINNERS 2001
Men - Mauch, Christoph, SWI, 09:01:32
Women - Bieger, Laura, GER, 10:41:29
WINNERS 2000
Men - Van Gossum, Dirk, BEL, 08:47:10
Women - Wahlquist, Lena, SWE, 10:15:19
Find all the information you need on these links in Lanzarote.