Rules & Info

WHAT is IronMay?

The IronMay Challenge is a community-oriented event hosted by Fellowship Baptist Church in Cheney, WA.  The typical objective is for every participant and team to cumulatively complete an "IronMay", which is an ironman-distance triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run/walk) during the month of May.  However, there are alternative competition options.  One of these is the IronDuathlon, which requires completion of a 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run/walk.  The last option is an IronTime, which allows participants to perform any physical activity and log their time instead.  For some, this task will be incredibly easy; for others, it will be difficult. Ultimately, the mission of IronMay is to have a fun, positive impact on others through physical activity.  

2025 marks the 18th year of this event!  We hope that you're able to participate this year, so that you can have a role in keeping yourself, your family, your workplace, and your community fit and healthy.

WHEN is IronMay?

The event begins May 1st at 12:01 am (PST) and ends May 31st at 11:59 pm (PST). Only activity completed AND LOGGED during this time period count towards your IronMay total.

WHERE is IronMay?

The event can take place anywhere (even on a spaceship)!  Therein lies the beauty, and uniqueness, of IronMay - anyone can participate wherever they live or travel in the world.  Since the activity is logged online, all you need is an internet connection to participate.  Even teams don't need to be in the same physical location.  Regularly, there are several family teams that live in different areas of the country or world who can come together to participate as one.  

At our largest, participants from 26 U.S. states and 7 countries participated in IronMay!  Let's make it more this year!  Spread the IronMay message for us!

How Much Does it Cost?

The Early Entry Fee is $12 per participant.  Early entries must be received by April 24th.  The Late Entry Fee (April 25th-May 7th) is $20 per participant.  Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, community, and participants, IronMay has been able to keep entry costs low to maximize access to the event.  If you wish to support that commitment, consider making a donation.  

Event Distance

Traditionally, IronMay is divided into three legs (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run).  However, there are now two competition options: 

• Option 1: IronMay (swim, bike, and run/walk distances for an Ironman race)

  • • Swim: 2.4 miles

    • Bike: 112 miles

    • Run/Walk: 26.2 miles

• Option 2: IronDuathlon (bike and run/walk distances for an Ironman race)

  • • Bike: 112 miles

    • Run/Walk: 26.2 miles

• Option 3: IronTime 

  • • Any physical activity/exercise: 20 hours

You may exceed the minimum miles or hours for either option during IronMay, so keep logging your activity if you surpass them.  Multiple awards are up for grabs, including the most ironmans completed by individuals and teams.

Exercise Modes

Training for IronMay can occur ANYWHERE, WHENEVER!  Outdoors, stuck at home, you name it.  Specific exercise modes for each competition option include:

• Option 1: IronMay

  • • Swim: You may use an indoor pool or an accessible lake, pond, puddle, or ocean. Any stroke can be used to complete the required distance, even doggy paddling.  When mileage is unknown, check out the pool lap conversion factor provided in the FAQ section.

    • Bike: You may ride outdoors or use an indoor stationary bike.  When mileage is unknown, check out the time conversion factor and resources provided in the FAQ section.

    • Run/Walk: You can walk, jog, or run on tracks, treadmills, roads, trails, etc.  When mileage is unknown, check out the track lap conversion factor and resources provided in the FAQ section.

• Option 2: IronDuathlon

  • • Bike: You may ride outdoors or use an indoor stationary bike.  When mileage is unknown, check out the time conversion factor and resources provided in the FAQ section.

    • Run/Walk: You can walk, jog, or run on tracks, treadmills, roads, trails, etc.  When mileage is unknown, check out the track lap conversion factor and resources provided in the FAQ section.

• Option 3: IronTime

  • • Any physical activity/exercise: It's literally that simple.  Want to do yoga, do it!  Want to step in place, go for it!  Want to perform a strength circuit, lift away!   Just log your time, in hours, that you spend.  The goal is that you perform physical activity/exercise that is above and beyond your typical daily activity.

Logging Your Miles

Once you have registered and paid your entry fee, you are responsible for logging your mileage or hours through the IronMay website.  To do so, please utilize the appropriate Activity Log (accessible from the menu along the top edge of the website) that corresponds to your Competition Division.  Only miles/hours completed AND LOGGED during this time period count towards your IronMay total.

Every participant, even those on teams, should log their own individual mileage or hours.  Please log your miles/hours as frequently as possible!  Logging miles/hours is, of course, based on the honor system, so please be truthful and accurate whenever you log miles.  IronMay is about challenge and friendly, fair competition - don't be the person who spoils this.   

Competition Divisions

You can choose to participate in IronMay as an individual or team member.  You can only participate in a single division/category.  For example, you cannot participate as an individual and also on a team or in two or more competition divisions (IronMay, IronDuathlon, and/or IronTime).  

Individuals

You are solely responsible for completing the minimum distances/hours within the month of May.

• Recreational: This division is intended for individuals who simply want to have fun and challenge themselves by completing at least 1 IronMay, IronDuathlon, or IronTime by the end of May.  

• Champion division: This division is for individuals who go full BEAST MODE and complete 4+ IronMays or IronDuathlons, or 80+ IronTime hours in May.  Anyone who qualifies for this division will automatically earn a Champion t-shirt and compete for additional awards.

Teams

All teams can be comprised of 2-5 members.  Team members can divide the IronMay, IronDuathlon, or IronTime distances/hours between themselves in any manner.  Remember, the team total is the finisher goal - each team member does not have to solely complete the IronMay, IronDuathlon, or IronTime distances/hours!

• Recreational: This division is intended for teams of friends, family, or coworkers who simply want to have fun and challenge themselves by completing at least 1 IronMay, IronDuathlon, or IronTime by the end of May.  

• Champion division: This division is for teams who go full BEAST MODE and complete 10+ IronMays or IronDuathlons, or 200+ IronTime hours in May.  Any teams who qualify for this division will automatically earn Champion t-shirts and compete for additional awards.

Awards & Shirts

All IronMay finishers (individuals and teams) will receive a Finisher or Champion shirt at an awards ceremony following the event.  If you are unable to attend an awards ceremony, your Finisher or Champion shirt can be mailed to you for the cost of postage.  In addition, there are several awards up for grabs during IronMay.  Some awards are specific to the competition division in which you participate.  Other awards are open to all participants (including non-finishers).  You can find out more info about the available awards here.

Mini Challenges

There are several Mini Challenges throughout the event.  If you complete a Mini Challenge, please let us know about it with the online notification form.  Participants who complete Mini Challenges qualify for specific prize raffles at the awards ceremony.  You can complete as many different Mini Challenges as you like, however, your name can only be entered in each mini challenge drawing one time.

Questions?

We've got answers!  Please check out the FAQ page for more info or contact us via email at (IronMayChallenge@gmail.com).