Ironman Qualifiers

About 30 of us volunteered for the Ironman qualifiers - it is only 1/2 of the actual Ironman, which happens in October. We volunteered in a variety of capacities over the course which started with 1.2 mile swim, followed by 56 miles of biking, and ending with 13.1 miles of running. The first man came in at just over 4 hours and it ends (whether people are finished or not) at 8.5 hours. For the actual race in October, they say to double your time and add 10% - the maximum amount of time given is 17 hours.

I was at the finish line for 4.5 hours telling the 1000 or so racers where to go to hand in their chip (it's attached to their ankle and records their times throughout the race as they cross different sensors). Obviously the first one to cross the line was very exciting. We had one guy cross the line, whip out a ring and propose to his girlfriend who was waiting for him (I think it was a yes!). Just before the 8.5 hour mark (they started at 7 a.m.) a double-leg amputee came across the finish - the very first to have finished the 1/2 Ironman.

My throat is a little sore from yelling "chip removal" all day, my face is red from the sun, I'm so very tired (I left with the 6:45 a.m. crew, but we also had a 4:45 crew), but it was a great day! The picture is at the finish line - Logan is in awe of the Ironman.