When someone says IRONMAN, most people know what it is, or at least that it's pretty messed up... but what are the (much cheaper) alternatives out there?

 

Here is a short list for Europe:

 

Don't forget though... many out there are scared by the entry fees, where the real expenses (in the thousands of CHF/USD/EUR/GBP/...) are in the gear, travelling, more gear, a little more gear, and better gear for the next race.