The Ironman is the queen of all competitions in the field of extreme sports. This discipline, the only one to have a specific brand and a commercial format, was first thought of in 1978 when U.S. Naval Commander John Collins and his wife Judy came up with the idea of combining 3 endurance disciplines into one race, summing up the results: the Waikiki Roughwater 2,4 mile swim in open water, then the Around Oahu Bike Race covering 112 miles and last but not least the Honololu full length marathon. The first to cross the finish line would earn the title “Iron man”.
The first IronMan race in history, completed in that same year (1978), only had 15 participants. With the 12 athletes crossing the finish line, started a great adventure and today the IronMan is the largest sportive event in the world, with more than 260 events in 42 countries.
The reward of completing an Ironman race – and the personal goal of all athlete with a winners instinct, is – “Anything is possible”. Extreme endurance, resiliency and pain tolerance, hours and hours of seemingly endless racing… But how do you combine this strict martial mood with that of the calm Romagna, sweet indulgent land, and preferred spot for great food, entertainment and relaxed comfort? Of course the proverbial hospitality of the Romagna population, perfect in hosting and greeting its guests pays a large role, but the key may be the natural territories that this part of the region is made of. A vast variety of playgrounds where you can express your sportive talents; the sandy the beaches and the calm waters, the shaded paths in the pine woods, the roads amongst the salt ponds where you pedal – with increasing altitudes – to the nearby hills, the salty canals to paddle your canoe. The result is a perfect territory for tri-athletes, but not only.
In Cervia and the surroundings you can try other outdoor sports such as Nordic walking and canoe. Welcome to the land of multisport, a paradise for all kinds of sports!
During the week of Ironman we are pointing out a couple of appointments suitable for all levels of fitness and skill:
Thursday September 21st at 8.00pm – “Night Run Cervia“, 10 km night run. For information and admissions: ph. 085 293215
Friday September 22nd at 9.00am “DigiBike Cervia Tour”, slow bike tour in the midst of nature, 20 km total amongst pinewoods and salt ponds, with snack stop in the Batani farm. For information: ph. 338 8684258
Maria Cristina Merloni, bicycle guida UISP a Tourist Guide of the Emilia Romagna Region. She has brought her bicycle on all continents, but she is convinced that the Romagna region is the most beautiful place in the world if you are looking to have fun on your bike. By combining her graphic and territorial skills she handles communications and bicycle tourism projects for the Batani Select Hotels (www.digibike.it). Per info: cristina@cristinamerloni.it – +39 338 8684258