Every October many of the world’s best professional and amateur iron-distance triathletes from all over the world find themselves on the Big Island of Hawaii for one thing and one thing only, the Ironman World Championship triathlon race. Why? Why Not? For some it’s an opportunity to be crowned world champion for others it’s an opportunity to challenge themselves in one of the toughest, one day sporting event staged every year on the Big Island. The challenge takes athletes on a 2.4 mile ocean swim Kauilia-Kona Bay, then a grueling 112 mile bike ride on the west side of the island through lava fields on their way to Hawi and back and then a 26.2 mile marathon run through tough and challenging lava-covered terrain. As the Ironman motto states “Anything is Possible” and this Saturday, October 11th 2008 there will be a lot of testosterone in Kona to see if that’s true as they go out and try to conquer the amazing challenge of the day.

30 years ago (February 18, 1978) in Honolulu, Hawaii 15 people gather together to compete in what was billed as the toughest human challenge event ever conceived. The idea came about after an argument about who's in the best shape: a swimmer, a cyclists or a runner. John Collins decided to settle this one way by combining all 3 sports into one single race. Whoever was able to Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, and Run 26.2 miles and finished first would be called an "Ironman". The first person to cross the finish that day was Gordon Haller in a time of 11 hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds. Since then thousands of people around the world have accomplished that spectacular feat as well.

Here is analytical breakdown of this year’s field for the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship race.

Youngest Competitors:
- Ariel Henbest, Caroline White (Female, Age 18)
- Tyler Foster, Andrew Wyper (Male, Age 18)

Eldest Competitors:
- Harriet Anderson (Female, Age 72)
- Loren Leonard (Male, Age 79)

Top 3 Countries Represented:
- 793 form the USA
- 229 from Germany
- 138 from Australia

Contenders:
This year's contenders will include 2007 Ironman World Champions