Ironman World Championship of Canespa
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| Location | Kuru, Papa, Canespa |
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| Owned by | Canasta Ironman CO. |
| Date opened | August 27th 1984 |
| Race type | Ironman, Triathlon |
| Official website | |
The Ironman World Championship of Canespa or the Lake Kuru Ironman is an annually held event in Kuru, Canespa, being the most prestigious Ironman race on the globe. Founded in 1984 by Pachacuti and Chasca Ocllo along with the Canasta Company, the triathlon was a first in both size and intensity. The Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile (3.9 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.2 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile (42.2 km) run completed in that order, a total of 140.6 miles (226.3 km). It is widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world, with less then 100,000 people even completing the race each year worldwide. Only around 2000 people qualify for the Ironman World Championship as you need to receive a Kuru slot from various different means.
The idea behind the Ironman was first thought up by Pachacuti and Chasca Ocllo in 1982. The couple were both avid triathletes who had moved to Lake Kuru from their home in Extranjero. The idea was prompted after Pachacuti and other triathletes got into an argument over if runners or swimmers were more fit. During the argument Canespan Naval Commander Atahualpa Coyllur pointed out a Levantine Times Union article which had stated that a bicyclist from Burgundie had the highest recorded oxygen intake of any human. As such Pachacuti and a few others including his wife Chasca came up with the first Ironman distance triathlon. They stated that whoever finished the race first would be known as the "Iron Man" and as such the race was born. With the help of some higher ups at the Canasta Company the first Ironman race was sanctioned and held at Lake Kuru on August 27th 1984. The first race only had 54 participants and only 13 finished the race with Cusi Caupolicán and Lautaro Yatiri being the first two to receive the title of Ironman. Following the first few races being held in Kuru, the distance grew in popularity and started spreading worldwide.
Qualification
There are different ways to qualify for and receive a Kuru slot. The most popular and common way to earn a slot is to compete in one of the six continental Ironman Championships. Those being Ironman Kiro-Borea Championships Kiravia, Ironman Crona Championships _____, Ironman Australis Championships Timbia, Ironman Sarpedon Championships _____, Ironman Levantia Championships _____, or Ironman Audonia Championships _____. Each race has no specific number of qualifiers who get a Kuru slot but instead the number of qualifying slots per race depends on the number of people in each race and age group. With there being a minimum slot of one for each age group. Age groups start at 18-24 and go up in 5 year increments up to 85+ with the number of slots in each age group varies depending on the average performance of said age group with a new number of slots being chosen each year. Another way to earn a Kuru slot is by entering a drawing and or bidding for your slot. These options only make up around 10% of the qualifying slots but are popular due to the lack of a prior performance being needed. The last method of getting into the Ironman is by receiving a special entry. Athletes who are unable to qualify through the above methods may be given a special entry into the World Championship under certain criteria like being a professional athlete, humanitarian reasons, medical hardship and etc.
Route
Swimming
The Swimming portion starts the Ironman and goes straight out into the lake with a turn at the 1.2 mile (1.93 km) mark. Upon swimming back participants must go to the transition area to prepare for their bike ride. Various members from the coast guard along with lifeguards on paddle boats will ensure safety along the entire 2.4 mile swim.