Race Coverage

"A Simple Choice"....

Monday, 06 October 2014 00:10

By Ruth Brennan Morrey (ruthbrennanmorrey.com)

2.4 mile swim, 116 mile bike, 26.2 mile run. Ten years ago, before my triathlon days, I watched curbside at Ironman Wisconsin and convincingly proclaimed that I have no desire to attempt that pathological distance. Well, things change, like one’s mental status ☺. Even after I started doing triathlons, a full Ironman continued to be completely unappealing.

Something did change, however. I was in Venice, Italy last year during the 2013 Kona World Championship, and remember vividly watching the exciting race unfold from half way around the world. Running better now than ever before, I texted my coach, Dr. Phil Skiba, the following day: “I’d like to take my run to Kona.” He quickly texted back, “Sounds good.” A simple choice has turned into a plan, and we are now charging ahead within the 2015 Kona qualification window. Of personal significance, next year the coveted world championship race will be held on the very...

day of my 40th birthday—October 10! This year, we have seen athletes in their late 30’s/early 40’s (Meb Keflezighi, Jo Pavey, Jens Voigt, to name a few) continue to do amazing things in sport, and I’d like contribute to this age defying trend. Of course, Ironman Chattanooga was just the beginning of a tough qualification year ahead, but indeed, it was a great start!

Typically in race reports, the race details come first, then volunteers/race directors get obligatory kudos in the concluding paragraph. This race, however, the volunteers, City of Chattanooga, race organization, officials, community, and Little Debbie herself come first. Without question, this was the best organizational race execution I had ever experienced. Years of experience, perhaps? Nope. This was IM Chattanooga’s inaugural race. The volunteers were newbies yet behaved like pros. At any given time during the race weekend, the volunteer to athlete ratio felt like 5:1—each of them smiling, informed, enthusiastic, and facilitative. No waiting, no wondering, no ambiguity, no kinks—dozens of green volunteer shirts were in sight at all times. Well done Chattanooga! See for yourself here!