FINISHERS

The goal of an Ironman is not necessarily to arrive first. It is just to arrive. And the key to achieve this is to have a motivation to push you further when you can no more. As in life. On the island of Lanzarote (Spain) is celebrated the hardest yet most humane Ironman in the world. Ironman is an ultra endurance triathlon consisting of a swimming course of 3.8 km, followed by 180 km cycling course to finish with a marathon: 42.2 km run. The most shocking and interesting of this race is that of the more than 1,800 participants, there are only about 20 professionals. The rest of them are amateurs who prepare thoroughly for the competition with a single goal: to be finisher. That is, getting in the sea at 7 a.m., and being able to reach the finish line before 12 p.m. I wondered what could be the reason that could lead to men and women of all ages to perform an achievement like that, and discovered that this is not really a competition against others but against yourself. To achieve it they need a motivation. Whatever. I followed 15 stories in Ironman Lanzarote, all kind of sportsmen and sportswomen. Different nationalities, ages, experience. And to all I asked what was theirs. Curiously, the answer will always led to the “other”. Do so for a son, a brother, for the fight against a disease … What pushes them forward a little more when they think they can no more is usually others. When oneself is not enough, they seek strength in the other. This documentary photographic project is a tribute to the greatness of the human being. As an individual and as part of a whole. To sacrifice, generosity and solidarity. Because this race is in itself a great allegory of life. You can follow it at www.finisherstories.com. Photography, video interviews and more. Now working on the book.