Bugeja, Brydon join list of 'Maltese Ironmen'

Few people know that the roots of Triathlon are in Ironman. The island of Hawaii boasted three classic events: a 3.8km open sea swim, a 180km bike race and a marathon (42.2km).

John Collins, a US Naval Officer, had the idea of combining the three events in that order and calling it Ironman Triathlon. The first event was held in February, 1978 and attracted 15 participants, 14 of whom finished the race.

Almost 30 years later, Ironman Triathlon has become one of the most popular sporting events around the globe with organisers forced to put a limit on the number of participants, months before the event itself is held.

Hawaii Ironman is the mecca of all Ironman aficionados but entry to this famous race can only be obtained through a tough selection process. For those, however, whose main aim is to finish the distance, there are plenty of venues to choose from, particularly in Europe where events in Holland, Germany and Austria regularly attract 2,000 participants and more.

To finish the distance was the dream that was fulfilled last Sunday by two Maltese athletes who have been participating in local triathlons these past dozen years or so.

William Brydon and Mario Bugeja had long been eyeing the challenge and when they decided late last year that it was time to go for it, they settled on the Karnten Ironman Triathlon in Austria, and set about training for it.

Despite setbacks, injuries and illnesses, they persisted in their aim and last Sunday their efforts came to fruition when Bugeja crossed the finish line in 14hrs 33m 21s and Brydon in 15hrs 16m 16s.

Contested by over 2,200 participants, the men's race was won by Belgium's Marino Vanhoenacker in 8hrs 07m 59s while Australia's Rebecca Preston led the women's field in 9hrs 12m 09s.

Brydon and Bugeja have added their names to the small but growing number of Maltese athletes who have completed the punishing distance. The most prolific Maltese Ironman is Nicky Farrugia who has no fewer than 13 events under his belt and is currently training for another one in Holland in late August.

Farrugia's best time is 9hrs 47m but the best time achieved by a Maltese athlete is that of David Galea who covered the distance in 9hrs 28m 13s, again in Holland, in August 1997.

Other Maltese Ironmen are Andre Catania, Charles Demanuele, Michael Gellel, Ray Borg, Robert Vella and Mark Bugeja.

In the meantime, Malta awaits its first female Ironman.