The William H. Seward endowed chair in finance at the University of Alaska Anchorage, John R. Nofsinger conducts economic research and teaches students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Outside of the professional environment, John R. Nofsinger is an active triathlete who has completed Ironman races in five different states.
Considered by many to be the ultimate test of physical endurance, the Ironman race is significantly longer than other triathlons. Ironman has expanded significantly over the past four decades, growing from a single race to a series of more than 190 events that span the globe.
With a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride, and a 10-kilometer run, the Olympic triathlon has distances that have become worldwide standards. The long course triathlon boosts the Olympic triathlon’s swimming distance by 0.4 kilometers and biking distance by 40 kilometers. It also more than doubles the running distance at 21.1 kilometers.
The Ironman takes things even further with a 3.8-kilometer swim and a 108.2-kilometer bike ride. After completing these two difficult legs, Ironman triathletes must complete a full 42.2-kilometer marathon.
