What Happened On February 18th?

On the 18th day of February in 1978, the Hawaiian island of Oahu buzzed with a unique energy. At 7:00 AM, fifteen brave souls stood poised on the shores of Waikiki Beach, ready for a triathlon unlike any other. Originally facing criticism for its physical demands, the first ever Ironman Triathlon was more than capable of pushing the best athletes in the world to their limits.

California natives, John and Judy Collins coined “Ironman” based on a playful debate about who they thought were the fittest athletes: swimmers, cyclists, or runners. John Collins jokingly declared, “Whoever finishes first, we’ll call him the Iron Man.”

Inspired by existing endurance events like the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, the Around Oahu Bike Race, and the Honolulu Marathon, John and Judy combined them into a single, epic test.

The 140.6-mile course began with…

2.4-Mile Swim – Starting in the open ocean, the athletes battled choppy waves and currents.
112-Mile Bike Ride – Encircling the island, they faced scorching sun, headwinds, and challenging inclines.
26.2-Mile Run – The final leg was a daunting marathon which tested their remaining reserves.

Only twelve of the fifteen starters finished, proving the race’s difficulty. The first to cross the finish line was Gordon Haller, a US Navy communications specialist, with a time of 11 hours, 46 minutes, and 58 seconds. He was out of the water in the lead, maintained his advantage during the bike leg, and pushed through the marathon to finish as the first Ironman champion.

The Ironman inspired athletes worldwide to push their boundaries and chase seemingly impossible dreams. The race’s ethos of “Anything is Possible” resonated deeply, attracting a diverse group of participants driven by a shared passion for endurance and self-discovery.

This unbelievably physical race is over 20% of the distance of the Rallye Monte Carlo, which is a car race. The Ironman Triathlon has evolved into a global sport with races held across the globe and continues to inspire countless individuals to challenge themselves.

All fifteen competitors are all winners for attempting this physical beast of a triathlon. The winner did not even receive prize money, and all he received was a medal and a title.