A test of (superhuman) endurance
상태바
A test of (superhuman) endurance
이 기사를 공유합니다

Ironman Jeju turned up the heat last weekend

Wave after wave of swimmers raced across the sand and dove headfirst into the sea.
Arms churned as bodies sliced through the waves in a long line that went as far as my eyes could see. Then, they turned around and began to make their way back to the beach. Heads bobbed to the side as they took in breaths of fresh air. 

Finally, great splashes of water sprayed everywhere as the swimmers reached the shore, a mixture of grim determination and cheerful smiles etched across their faces. A series of cheers erupted from the crowd waiting for them on the beach as they raced across the sand once again to their bikes for the next leg of the competition. 

This was the scene at Hwasun Beach where nearly 1,100 men and women took part in the 2011 Ironman Korea Jeju Triathlon. Participants swam 3.8 km, bicycled 180.2 km, and ran 42.2 km for a total of 226.195 km on a difficult course that wound its way over rolling hills between Daejeong and Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo. 

Cyclists methodically worked their way up a steep incline just outside of Jungmun and then coasted down a hill, thumbs up as they passed me, clearly relieved to finish that part of the race. But, the hardest part was yet to come: a full marathon that would test the will and endurance of these athletes. 

Five grueling hours later, the end in sight, Balazs Csoke from Hungary, using all his remaining strength, dragged his exhausted body across the finish line, completing the race in 8 hours, 48 minutes, and 18 seconds. Korean hopeful Ham Yeon Sik finished strong, clocking in at 9 hours, 36 minutes, and 2 seconds, while Kate Bevilaqua of Australia was the top woman, finishing the race in 9 hours, 39 minutes, and 42 seconds.  <Jeju Weekly>

<Douglas MacDonald  contributor@jejuweekly.com ⓒ Jeju Weekly All rights reserved>


댓글삭제
삭제한 댓글은 다시 복구할 수 없습니다.
그래도 삭제하시겠습니까?
딥페이크등(영상‧음향‧이미지)을 이용한 선거운동 및 후보자 등에 대한 허위사실공표‧비방은 공직선거법에 위반되므로 유의하시기 바랍니다.(삭제 또는 고발될 수 있음)
댓글수정
댓글 0
0 / 400
댓글쓰기
계정을 선택하시면 로그인·계정인증을 통해
댓글을 남기실 수 있습니다.