Ironman Race Takes Over Louisville
Yesterday marked a new chapter in competitive sports for Louisville with the first annual Ford Ironman Louisville race. Ironman competitions have become a very popular way for athletes to compete and show competence in a grueling day of racing that includes running, biking, and swimming. The Ford Ironman Louisville is one of the largest amateur sporting events to be held in Louisville.
The race began on the Great Lawn and finished up at 4th Street Live. The racing started with a 2.4-mile swim in the Ohio River, followed by 112-mile bike ride, and ending with a 26.2-mile run. Needless to say only those athletes in top condition can enter and even expect to finish.
The best time of the day came from Chris McDonald who finished more than five minutes before his closest competition at 8:38:39. This was his nineteenth Ironman competition, but his first win in five years of competition. McDonald actually slowed down at the finish line and gave high-fives to people in the crowd.
Heather Gollnick easily took the first place in the woman’s competition beating out Nina Kraft by over twenty-eight minutes. This was Gollnick’s fifth Ironman win and a personal best for her overall time at 9:23:22.
Both McDonald and Gollnick will receive $10, 000 in prize money for their first place finishes. The Ford Ironman Louisville is a qualifier race for the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship taking place on October 13 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
I can say with certainty that I will never be in good enough shape to compete in an Ironman competition, but these athletes do inspire you to at least get away from your computer and go take a long walk.
So have you ever competed in amateur athletics such as a triathlon? What do you like to do for exercise?
Ford Louisville Ironman, Ironman, Triathlon, Chris McDonald, Heather Gollnick
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