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Ironman race tests limits of athletes

Reporter: Mike Fox 丨 CCTV.com

10-18-2016 16:03 BJT

Swim, Cycle, Run... China's very first edition of the Ironman contest has taken place in Hefei. This event is a test of endurance that incorporates athletic skill, mental strength and just plain old toughness.

Ironman has finally landed in Hefei China, but if you're thinking about the Marvel superhero that fights evil villains, you're way off. Instead it's one of the most grueling endurance competitions in the world that will test the limits of even the most seasoned athlete.

The Ironman is a type of triathlon that has been officially included in the Olympics. An Ironman 70.3, also know as a half-Ironman, consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile cycle, and a 13.1 mile run completed in succession and measuring a total distance of 70.3 miles, hence the name. The challenge of competing in or even just completing such a formidable event makes it one of the most exciting and watchable competitions in the world. And for a determined endurance athlete, the allure of the near impossible test can be hard to resist.

And the Ironman is now in China. The Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group bought the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) for 650 million U.S. dollars. And with first ever IRONMAN event hold in Hefei, Chinese business owners are confidence on the Ironman to become one of the most popular events in the country.

Back on the track the loving coupler Brad Kahlefedlt from Australia and Radka Vodickova from Chech just wins the men's and women's title. China has taken its first big step on the world sports stage, but the PRC is still far from the end of it's quest, and maybe purchasing international companies and hosting events is just a beginning.

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