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Ottawa, ON - August 20, 2007 - On Saturday, September 1, 2007, local area athletes will take on the challenge of the province’s only Ironman distance race - the Canadian IronDistance, a 3.8k swim, 180k bike followed by a 42k marathon run along Colonel By Drive.
You might think the idea of racing those distances in one day would be about as appealing as a trip to the dentist, yet the Ironman is now one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
Triathletes taking part in this year’s Canadian IronDistance, which is organized by Somersault Promotions, will not have to face the swells of the Pacific, nor the winds and sweltering heat of the lava fields of Hawaii where the most recognized Ironman race is held every year but they will be pushing themselves to the limit through what is considered the toughest single day in sport.
The men’s course record set last year by Gatineau’s Eric Deshaies of 9 hours and 24 minutes is in jeopardy this year with Rick Hellard, 41, of Ottawa, in the field. Hellard, the Ontario Long Course Triathlete of the Year as well as the city’s Triathlete of the Year, is looking to better his 8 hours and 41 minutes which he set at the 2006 Esprit IronDistance in Montreal.
The women’s course record was set last year by Kanata’s Joanne Murray in 10:42:13.
Note to Media: The race starts on the beach at Mooney’s Bay at 6:30 AM. Hog’s Back near the Rideau Canoe Club. The bike course is an out and back along Colonel By Drive from Hog’s Back to the Laurier Street Bridge, with the run along the pathway of Colonel By Drive. The winners are expected to arrive at Mooney’s Bay around 2:30PM.
| © Copyright 2007 Lynne Bermel
Lynne Bermel, a former world-ranked pro Ironman competitor, is a senior marketing & PR consultant living in Ottawa.. She is also a freelance writer and TV sports show host. You can reach her at: lynnebermel@rogers.com.
You can access previous columns by Lynne at: LB_Columns
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