On Saturday, 21 local triathletes will compete in the grueling, all-day Ironman World Championship, the event that defines the sport.
To qualify among tens of thousands of competitors for the 1,800 slots in the race in Kona, Hawaii, is for many a years-long dream and the reward for hours and hours of training at all times of the day.
The athletes will take on a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-bike and a 26.2-mile marathon through lava-covered terrain, while battling the notorious heat, humidity and winds of Kona.
The Examiner caught up with 13 of them recently to discuss the upcoming endurance test.
NBC’s TV coverage of the race is scheduled for Dec. 19 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. – Cathy Gainor
