It's that time of year again when approx 2,000 athletes hit the sand to compete in Ironman 2009 held at the Boardwalk Beach Resort on Sat. morning, Nov. 7, 2009. Ironman is one of the most grueling events in the world of sport, and also one of the most inspiring. Ironman starts with a 2.4-mile swim, then a 112-mile bike, and finishes with a complete marathon of 26.2 miles all in succession. These incredible athletes have just 17 hours to finish the event which kicks off at 7 a.m. and wraps up at midnight.
Ironman began in 1977 and presents the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit for professional and amateur athletes. And as Ironman has emerged into the mainstream sports light, the Ironman experience continually transcends pure sport. It centers on the dedication, courage and perseverance exhibited by athletes who demonstrate the Ironman mantra that “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.™” Some of the athletes we see will be coming off of chemo or have battled cancer as recently as this year. This is a dream come true for many of them.
Good luck to all our athletes, including friend and financial advisor, Alan McCurley from Panama City Beach who is competing in his first full Ironman at the age of 40. Go Alan!
Yes, we'll have a little bit of traffic for the day but to think about what these incredible athletes have done all year to get here is truly amazing. Whether you want to volunteer race day or cheer them on from the sidelines, it is a truly an exciting day for all! The athletes really appreciate our encouragement and volunteers to make it an awesome event. If you never watched the race before, come out for an hour. Hope to see some of you on the streets Saturday and everyone, be safe out there!
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