International Ultratriathlon Association (IUTA) is regrouping ultratriathlete and race organiser sharing the same goal of making Ultratriathlon a sport event recognise around the world. To explain what Ultratriathlon is, we should initially mention that this sport is a sport extreme and it is addressed only to people that have a certain expertise in endurance sport and also to people who should prove their capacity before they could enter in that kind of event.

Ultratriathlon is a kind of race that uses the multiple of Ironman distance as presented in Hawaii. We multiply by a factor that will define the length of the race. The Ironman distance is a swim of 3.8 k, Bike ride of 180 k and finishing by a run of one marathon which is 42.2 k. So in IUTA the distance are multiply by two, three, four or more depending of the race. As an exempla if it is a double ultratriathlon the distance is 7.6 km of swim, 360 km of bike and 84.4 km of run and each of the distance are done non stop and the first finisher win the race. Up to know the record for that type of races are progressing on a constant basis.

The IUTA is a recognise organisation in that field of activity and had already sanctioned more than 50 races of that nature. Up to know there is no race requesting more endurance that those races made around the world. In the year 2007 there was six races sanctioned by IUTA they where as follow:

• Triathlon Sport Verein Austria – Neulengbach Double Iron World Championship 2007
  7.6 km Swim, 360 km Bike, 84.4 km Run (more)
• Levis Canada - Canadian National Championship 2007
  7.6 km Swim, 360 km Bike, 84.4 km Run (more)
• Lensahn Germany- Triple Iron World Championship
  11.4 km Swim, 540 km Bike, 126.6 km Run (more)
• Virginia Beach U.S.A. National Championship Triple Iron 2007
  11.4 km Swim, 540 km Bike, 126.6 km Run (more)
• Monterrey Mexico- 2007 Mexico National Championship
  10 Days x 3.8 Swim,180 km Bike, 42.2 Km Run (more)
• Freestyle Company Double Iron World Cup Race
  : 7.6 km Swim, 360 km Bike, 84.4 km Run (more)

As you could see the race are tough and as soon the start is given only the crossing of the finish line will stop the race and the pain. Those races are not comparable to any of the endurance sport because they are non-stop and do not allow your body to recuperate without loosing time.

Who are doing those races? Ultratriathlete around the world that have passed the Ironman distance with no more challenge. Now we could see that the Ironman distance become common, thousand of people in those races. Ultratriathlon are now the next step for the endurance athlete and only the toughness athlete can survive to those race as long as they are well prepare.

To be a ultratriathlete you need to know yourself you have to go inside you to discover who you are a fighter or a looser. Without the determination you could not succeed, without the appropriate logistic you could not succeed, without the proper crew you could not succeed. By coming an Ultratriathlete you become a member of a big family with friends all over the world.

Of course the race is there to determine a winner and during the race all competitors will give is best to win the race but will never hesitate to encourage competitor to finish the race and will even help other when their race are completed. Doing Ultratriathlon is the summit in Endurance sport.