- understood outside of Rice University as a participant in an Ironman Triathlon (2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle run, and a 26.2-mile marathon run raced in that order without a break); however, the word has been adapted at Rice to mean a man or woman who chugs and bikes during a single event (men’s, women’s, or alumni) during Beerbike. Original Ironman triathlons began in 1978, while Beerbike has been a Rice tradition since 1957. Women have also been referred to as “Ironmaidens”
ironman
compounding; noun; verb
man or woman who both chugs and bikes for his or her college’s team in Rice University’s standing tradition of Beerbike
Etymology : compound of “iron” and “man,” meaning the man displays qualities of the strong metal
Source : “Are you ironmaning this year?” – question from various Beerbike coaches
Last modified: 4 December 2013