The HistoryToday Boston draws around 25,000 starters, a big contrast to the 193 runners in 1948. Demand for race places has exploded in recent years - the 2010 event sold out in 67 days, while this year's race maxed out in just eight hours

particularly notable performance in his first race of the season. "I was prepared to give 100 percent of what I had but I didn't know what that was," he said afterwards. Plenty, as it turns out. Fourth last year (with a 2:41:59 run), he's in formidable form

route.Flick through our gallery for costume inspiration for your next charity chase (this year's theme was the animal kingdom) or to find out why you should add this race-cum-wine tasting tour to your 2012 diary. Plus read our 2008 race report.  

-distance record at Challenge Roth (8:18:32), breaking her own record, and she also won Ironman South Africa. She has never lost an Ironman race. She is unlikely to lose this one.Julie Dibens (UK)The 36-year-old from Salisbury came third at Kona in 2010, a

pressure on him going into the race because he was only in his second year as a pro and that the Kona racewould be only his third Ironman event. "If I could get top 15 I'd be ecstatic - anything above that would be a bonus," he added. Interestingly

of neoprene or a hankering for race wheels, what's going to happen to the shorter distances on which triathletes usually cut their teeth? The logical conclusion is that in years to come some of the most talented young triathletes might decide to leapfrog

, the Forestman - a full Iron-distance triathlon. This year, it was a standalone race and the relatively small field made for occasional lonely moments on the undulating but beautiful course.After two laps of Ellingham Lake, competitors set off on the bike

This weekend brings more than 13,000 triathletes on a quest to swim, cycle and run around some of the capital's most iconic landmarks. The London Triathlon, an IMG Challenger World Event, returns for its 15th year and it continues to hold its status

as they tick off a tough 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run.Competition will be fierce for the 50 age group slots for the 2011 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, up for grabs. Returning to Bolton for its third year, the revised route

Distance: 1.5K/ 43K/ 10KWhere: Bowness-on-Windermere, CumbriaWhen: July 3First man: Steven Garner 2:27:39First woman: Christine Johnson 2:37:12Last finisher: 4:35:43No of finishers: 157Anyone who took part in this race last year could be forgiven