Nobody could have imagined, on that autumn day in 2016, that the Spirit of 78 would be born a year later and grow to reach its tenth edition. It was on 16 October, during the train journey back from the Iberman, held the previous day, and still riding the endorphin high, that the foundations were laid for what would eventually become the Spirit of 78 Triathlon.
A year later, the experimental edition took place, with only 15 athletes accepting the challenge. Of these, 10 finished and will forever remain in the history of the Spirit, just like the heroes who, in 1978 in Hawaii, gave rise to the mythical race that is the Ironman.
Since then, the Spirit of 78 has returned every year, always in October and without a single interruption. Ten editions later, it is easy to see that the original idea has grown into something far bigger than anyone could have imagined.
On 10 October, the banks of the Douro once again played host to another edition, this time with some impressive numbers worth highlighting. It was the year with the highest number of classic bicycles and also the one in which the most athletes turned up dressed for the occasion, recreating the atmosphere of triathlon's early years.
A total of 42 athletes lined up at the start, representing 8 different nationalities. Of these, 29 arrived on vintage bicycles. By the end, 36 had successfully completed the challenge, including 24 on classic bikes and 21 fully kitted out in true 1970s style, with a classic bicycle, swim briefs, a crop top and, naturally, a magnificent moustache.
It is becoming increasingly clear just how much care athletes put into preparing for this event. The choice of bicycles, many of them with several decades of history, the carefully restored outfits and the moustaches that make an appearance year after year all show that the spirit of the event is being taken more and more seriously. The tribute to the pioneers of 1978 is no longer just an inspiration; it has become part of the athletes' identity. They are increasingly committed to recreating the look and conditions of those very first Ironman races as faithfully as possible. Completing triathlon's ultimate distance is no longer enough – you have to do it in style!
Among the international participants, special mention goes to Andy, from the United States, who completed the race for the sixth time, and Italian athlete Viola Campanini, who made her fifth appearance and has won the Spirit on four of those occasions. They are now well-established names in the history of this event.
For those who are not yet familiar with it, the Spirit of 78 Triathlon is a tribute to the first athletes who, in 1978, accepted the challenge of completing a race that would go on to give birth to the Ironman. To make the experience as faithful as possible to that era, athletes are encouraged to leave modern equipment behind and turn up with steel bicycles, down-tube shifters, swim briefs, crop tops and magnificent moustaches.
The race begins with a 4.2 km swim in the waters of the Douro. Although the distance is slightly longer than in a standard race, this is compensated for by the river current. Next comes the 180 km cycling leg, divided into six 30 km laps along a course that winds its way along the riverbanks. Finally, athletes face 42 km of running, also split into six laps of 7 km each. The aid station is located halfway around the circuit, allowing athletes to eat and drink every 3.5 km.
In the women's competition, Viola Campanini, being the only woman brave enough to take on this challenge, had little difficulty adding yet another Spirit of 78 Triathlon title to her impressive record, along with another successful completion of triathlon's ultimate distance.
In the men's race, David Caldeirão emerged from the water in the lead and managed to hold onto first place for much of the cycling leg. It was only on the fifth lap that a puncture cost him valuable time and saw him drop several places in the standings. At that point, Emanuel Matos and Carlos Ferreira began trading the lead between them.
As the athletes moved into the running leg, Emanuel Matos quickly took the lead and began building an advantage that allowed him to control the race all the way to the finish, becoming the 2026 Spirit of 78 Triathlon champion. Duarte Tirapicos and António Ferreira completed the podium, with the latter recording the fastest running split.
One detail particularly worth highlighting is that all three athletes on the men's podium turned up dressed for the occasion, with classic bicycles, 1970s-style outfits and magnificent bushy moustaches. It is yet another sign that the original spirit of the race is becoming increasingly ingrained and that the tribute to the pioneers of 1978 is being taken more and more seriously by those who accept this challenge.
Of the 42 athletes who embarked on this adventure, 36 managed to reach the finish line and take home the much-coveted SpiritMan. This trophy is a replica of the original trophy awarded to the athletes who completed the inaugural Ironman in 1978. It represents far more than a simple memento: it is proof that they have overcome a challenge that takes them back to the very roots of triathlon.
It was also wonderful to see the banks of the Douro buzzing with life once again, with volunteers, family members, friends and many other spectators following and cheering on the athletes throughout the day. The festive atmosphere surrounding the race remains one of the Spirit of 78's trademarks and an essential part of the experience for everyone involved.
Ten editions later, the Spirit of 78 Triathlon remains true to the idea that was born on that train journey back in 2016. A race that started as an experiment among friends, pays tribute to the pioneers of 1978 and, year after year, brings together athletes from different nationalities, vintage bicycles, magnificent bushy moustaches and plenty of stories to tell.
Next year, the Spirit of 78 Triathlon will return, as tradition dictates, at the beginning of October. Until then, there's plenty of time to recover those legs, get the bicycles ready and, for those who don't have one yet, start growing that moustache!
