Ironman 70.3 Wimbleball 2007

Set against the scenic backdrop of Wimbleball Lake, in the heart Of Exmoor National Park, the Ironman UK 70.3 event consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run and 1,500 athletes competing for a an opportunity to qualify for the inaugural Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida.

In 1978 during the awards ceremony for a Hawaii running race, a debate ensued among competitors about who is more fit -- swimmers, runners or other athletes. One of the participants, Navy Commander John Collins and his wife Judy, dreamt up a race to settle the argument. They proposed combining three existing races together, to be completed in succession: the Waikiki Roughwater Swim (2.4 miles), the Around-Oahu Bike Race (112 miles, originally a two-day event) and the Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles). "Whoever finishes first we'll call the Ironman," said Collins. Fifteen men participated in the initial event held on February 18; 12 complete the race, led by the first Ironman, Gordon Haller. His winning time: 11 hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds

Events are being held all around the world at venues including California, St Criox, Florida, Baja, Honu, Scandinacia, Brazil, Monaco and Cancun Mexico. Race organisers, IRONMAN UK, is now proud to add Exmoor to this global IRONMAN list!
With the Wimbleball event in June offering 100 qualifying slots for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida it is sure to attract an extremely large crowd being one of the biggest events Wimbleball has seen so far.

Entry fee £145

Contributed by: Richard Tomkins