Comrades recognises Ironman

2008-09-11 20:15

Johannesburg - Since the introduction of ultra triathlons in the mid 1980's the debate has raged as to which is tougher the 3.8km swim, 180 cycle and 42km run triathlon, or the Comrades 90km marathon.

The Comrades Marathon Association have acknowledged that the Ironman race tests the boundaries of human endurance, proving the resilience of the physical body when under duress and will accept completion of the Ironman as a qualifying entry to the 2009 Comrades marathon.

The decision means that all official finishers of local and international full Ironman distance events will qualify to run the Comrades Marathon.

As with the other qualifying road races, of marathon or longer, the Ironman event must take place within in the official qualifying period from June 15 2008 to April 28 2009.

"Athletes participating in the Ironman events rate among the fittest sportsmen and women in sport," confirmed Comrades Race Director Renee Jordaan.

"There is therefore no doubt in our minds that athletes that manage to complete the event within the officially specified time, are physically fit enough to take on The Ultimate Human Race".

Many who have completed the Ironman, which typically has a 17 hour cut-off consider this to be the ultimate readily available test of endurance.

However, others contend that the changes of muscle use required across the three sports makes Ironman an easier goal than the constant hammering of leg muscles in Comrades, which requires greater physical and mental perseverance.

This decision by Comrades organisers will be welcomed by many ultra triathlon and Comrades stalwarts who in the past have had to shoe-horn in a qualifying marathon into an already crowded season, and is expected to encourage more multisport athletes to try their hand at the Kwazulu-Natal Classic.

- SAPA