History of the sport

Hawaii 1978: WHO’S THE FITTEST ?
IronMan, a 29 years-old saga
All the names, times and behind-the-scene stories…

1978
During the awards ceremony for a Hawaii running race, a debate ensues among competitors about who is the fittest: swimmers, runners or other athletes?
One of the participants, Navy Commander John Collins and his wife Judy, dream up a race to settle the argument. 
They propose to combine three existing races together, to be completed in succession:
the Waikiki Roughwater Swim (2.4 miles/ 3.8km)
the Around-Oahu Bike Race (112 miles/ 180km)
the Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles/ 42.2km)
"Whoever finishes first we’ll call the Ironman" said Collins.

1978
15 men participated in the First IronMan held in Hawaii on February 18th 1978.
Only 12 completed the race, led by the first Ironman Gordon Haller winning in 11h46m58s.

1979
Word of mouth generates additional participant interest, and it appears that as many as 50 athletes will compete. But bad weather forces the postponement of the race for a day; when the starter’s pistol finally sounds on Sunday morning, just 15 competitors take the challenge. San Diego's Tom Warren, 35, wins in 11h15m56s. The first Ironwoman, Lyn Lemaire, a championship cyclist from Boston, places fifth overall.
The race’s future is being re-written by Barry McDermott from Sports Illustrated. On the island to cover a golf tournament, McDermott discovers the race and writes a 10-page, larger-than-life account of the race that nets Collins hundreds of inquiries about the race.

1980
John Collins gives ABC's "Wide World of Sports" permission to film the event, but warns ABC executives that, "Watching the race is about as exciting as watching a lawn-growing contest." ABC’s coverage is somewhat more dramatic, and it brings Ironman worldwide recognition.
The event draws 106 men and two women. Dave Scott, a 26-year-old masters swim coach from Davis California, wins the event in 9h24m33s. Robin Beck wins the women's division in 11:21:24, placing 12th overall.
As people become familiar with the Ironman , other multi-sports of varying distances begin to take place around the world. Ironically, Collins is not on hand for the event, as the Navy transfers him to Washington, D.C. He entrusts the race to the owners of a local heath club.

1981
On February 14, approximately 950 volunteers and throngs of cheering spectators turn out to support the 326 athletes in the race. John Howard, formerly an Olympic cyclist, wins the first Big Island race in 9h38m29s. Linda Sweeney, one of 20 female competitors, wins the women's division in 12:00:32. Walt Stack, the oldest competitor 73 years-old, finishes last in 26:20:00, setting Ironman's slowest finish time record.

February 1982
The event becomes such a phenomenon that Bud Light pays to become title sponsor.
The race attracts 580 contestants. Scott Tinley, a 25-year-old swim coach from San Diego, passes Dave Scott in the marathon and finishes in a record time of 9h19m41s.
Less than two hours later, the most memorable moment in race history occurs: Julie Moss, a college student competing to gather research for her exercise physiology thesis, steadfastly moves toward the finish line in first place despite becoming severely fatigued and dehydrated. In the homestretch, she staggers like a punch-drunk boxer. Just yards away from the finish line, she falls to the ground. Passed by Kathleen McCartney for the women’s title, Moss nevertheless crawls to the finish line. Her courage and determination inspires millions and creates the Ironman mantra that just finishing is a victory.

October 1982
The race owners move its date to October to give athletes from colder climates better training conditions. Evidencing that the race is maturing, cutoff times are introduced. Contestants must complete the 140.6-mile course within 18 1/2 hours. Race organizers begin coordinating the race with the full moon to assist runners after dark.
Dave Scott sets a new record in the swim (50:52) and overall time, finishing in 9h08m23s. Three Californians set new women's records: Jennifer Hinshaw, 21, of Saratoga, swim course record (53:26); Julie Leach, 25, a former Olympic kayaker, leads the women in 10:54:08.

… After 1982, history was on its way
IronMan contests bloomed around the world, soon followed by Little Brother ½ IronMan – And to date, Hawaii remains the most prestigious and mythical IronMan to race.

A quick look at the Heroes of Hawaii, legends who have made the event’s 30 years of history

1980 – 1987: Dave Scott “The Man”, eight years at the top…	1986 – 1996: Paula Newby-Fraser wins eight IronMan in 10 years and sets the woman race record…
1987, Erin Baker wins the woman race – the next years will be dominated by Paula Newby-Fraser, but Erin will come again to win in 1993..	1988: one-off win for Scott Molina
1989 – 1993: Mark Allen’s Glory Years of unbroken domination…	1994: Happy-to-win Greg Welch crosses the line with spare energy for a little dance!
1998 – to date: Natascha Badmann “Swiss Miss” 9Here with Normann Stadler “The Norminator”) succeeds to Paula Newby-Fraser with an impressive 7 victories.. and still running!	1999: A European on the podium at last! Luc Van Lierde wins and sets race record..
2000 year Man: Peter Reid – Back from his 1998 win, he’ll return to win again in 2003..