Written by: Administrator
Posted: Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Page 1 of 4
The race for the win at the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship is over. Chris McCormack and Chrissie Wellington were crowned champions. But who are the folks that balance their work and their families with their passion for the Ironman? Along with photographer Rich Cruse, we sought to capture a cross section of age-group participants who do just that.
Katie Bolling, 31 (#1618), from Northfield, Illinois, posing with her husband Chris and her mom Barb. “This is my third Ironman, but my first in Kona.” (Finish Time: 11:48:45) Bolling had a stress fracture in her foot, but that didn’t concern her. The year 2007 had been tough for her entire family. Her husband Chris had broken his neck in a bike crash back in May and her mom Barb had been diagnosed with breast cancer on July 17. They both insisted that Katie not pull out of the race because of them but to keep training and to finish for them. She did just that.
Gerald Geier, 46 (#180), from Roechstadt, Germany. “This is my eighth Ironman, but my first in Kona.” (Finish Time: 12:15:04) Geier was in a motorcycle accident back in 1985 and lost his lower leg. He found that sport was essential in getting his life back in order. “When you are able to finish something like the Ironman, you realize that anything is possible.”
Alex Piquer, 37 (#1169), from Austin, Texas, posing with his wife Jennifer and their son Eli. “It’s my first. I got in to Kona through the lottery three days after my son Eli was born.” (Finish Time: 13:09:49) “What an incredible experience. There is a power to this event that’s beyond anything I could have imagined.”
Stacy Taylor, 41 (#171), from Fairfax, Virginia, with her daughter Lindsey. “This is my very first Ironman. I got in through the lottery.” (Finish Time: 13:43:50) Lindsey shipped off to boot camp on August 9 and wants to fly Apache or Blackhawk helicopters. “I e-mailed her commander to see if she could come to watch me race,” says Taylor. “I expected a no, but I got a yes!” Lindsey flew in from Columbia, South Carolina, the night before the race to watch her mom complete the toughest day in sport. “I am so proud of her,” says Lindsey. “Seeing my mom complete the Ironman makes me realize how strong I can be."
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What's the appeal of endurance sports? It's hard to say, but it's easy to see that more and more athletes are getting hooked on 24-hour bike rides, ultraruns and any other way they can get an endurance fix. 
