GOING INSIDE THE CHALLENGE TO BEAT 7 HOURS BROWNLEE’S IRON BATTLE
In January, the internet lit up with news that Alistair Brownlee was to attempt breaking seven hours for an iron-distance course in spring 2022. Fellow Brit Lucy Charles-Barclay would aim to become the first woman to dip under eight hours. Ineos’ 1:59 project echoed loud as, like Eluid Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon, the appliance of science would win over rules and regulations. Both 7hr and 8hr challenges grabbed the headlines. For a moment. But there’s been little detail since. Until now. We’ve spoken to Alistair, his sponsors, engineers involved in Kipchoge’s effort and a six-time Hawaii winner to see if the fantastical is within the realms of possibility. But first up, we tapped up organiser and former Hawaii champion Chris McCormack to explain more about the challenge…
BAHRAIN BEGINNINGS
“The seeds were sown two years ago after the Ironman event in Bahrain,” the Australian recalls. “Jan [Frodeno], Daniela [Ryf], Alistair [Brownlee], [Javier] Gomez and I were having dinner at the Four Seasons hotel. I asked Daniela, ‘Could you break eight hours?’ She thought maybe under the right conditions. We then discussed how quick a man could go. I said, how about I put a concept together, link up with one of the foundations I work with and we go from there?”
McCormack, or Macca, is founder of
