GO ROCKFORD PHOTO The Journal/The Herald
Congratulations to all the athletes who took part in the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford, Illinois on Sunday, June 22.

Temperatures hitting the 90s made the first Ironman 70.3 Rockford-Illinois competition extra challenging for 2,700 athletes from various states and countries and more than 1,500 volunteers.

Held on June 22, the event was organized by Go Rockford (Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau) in partnership with the Ironman Group. Eric Atnip served as Race Director.

The race started near the Rock River Recreation Path where competitors dove into a 1.2-mile swim in 79.2 degree waters starting near the sculptures of the Rock Guardians and ended at Davis Park, followed by a 13.1-mile run along the path. They all then headed to downtown Rockford in a 56-mile bicycle course that looped athletes through Rockford and Rockton, finishing in the 100th block of S. Main Street in Rockford.

Hundreds of spectators lined up in Rockton, ready to watch bicyclists roll through at different speeds.

Many held up signs in support of a specific athlete. Loud cheers arose, some accompanied by the sounds of cowbells, purchased by spectators.

Fans were available to keep everyone cooler.

“Party Like a Rockstar Events, LLC” designed a stunning balloon arch in Settlers Park Another eye-catching display was set up by the gazebo featuring a 3 D styled word, “ Ironman” surrounded by balloons. The Village also offered supplies to create signs and had free face painting in the park.

Roscoe resident Tara Sheetz is no stranger to completing an Ironman, which included 146 miles. She has completed 40 full competitions and with this Ironman completed her 16th half. Sheetz has also competed in World Championships.

Sheetz finished the Rockford Ironman 70.3 with a time of 7:06.

“I ended up swallowing an excessive amount of water while swimming in the Rock River. I became ill several times but was determined to finish the race,” Sheetz said.

South Beloit resident Eric Hardin previously has done 12 Ironman’s in various cities.

“This Ironman differed being that it was in a city that I call home now. I had lived in Rockford for 10 years prior to moving.

Now our locals can understand what an Ironman truly is,” Hardin said.

“The residents on National Avenue really showed up and were phenomenal. Everyone brought out their hoses and sprinklers on the run course. That was a welcomed refresher.”

“I had several friends competing in this event but it was all a friendly competition for us. Of course, we wanted to beat each other but we also can say congratulations to everyone and to let them know that they did great!”

 “I am also a new dad to a son who has yet to sleep through the night. That made a big difference in training while being sleep deprived, as well as making sure that I stayed safe on the course.

Hardin’s training consisted of working out daily, about seven to nine hours per week. “I technically started training for this in February,” he said.

I swam 24 miles, (a total of 13 hours), did 1,900 miles of cycling, (87 hours), in addition to 580 miles of running equaling 74 hours.”

One of Hardin’s favorite memories from the event is getting to kiss his wife and son right before the finish line. “This was the first time that my 11-month-year old son got to see me race,” he said.

“The weather was definitely a challenge. This was not only due to the heat, but also the wind, mainly on the lake.

“I just had to stay positive and mentally tough. I was confident in my training and knew that I could complete the course,” Hardin said.

Hardin placed 61 out of 171 in his age group – males ages 35-39, and 276 in his gender. Hardin placed at 332 out of 1692 overall.

“The police officers were all great, especially for an inaugural event in Illinois. Roads were blocked off tremendously assuring that there were no issues with traffic on the bike course.”

Loves Park Police Officer Claudia Grenlund made her race extra special by dedicating her Ironman to fallen officers.

Making the day extra special as she neared the finish line the last officer she saw there was Officer Vargas, Rockford handler of K9 Nyx whose memory now lives on.

David Whitmore of Roscoe said of his experience, “The weather made the competition more challenging than I had expected.

“Even with training consistently this past year it’s hard to predict how your body will handle heat that extreme at the end of such a long event.”

“Going into the race I thought that under five hours was possible for me but pretty quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen.”

Whitmore finished in 303rd place overall with a time of 5:46.00.

Cody Williams of Madison Wisconsin earned honors of taking first place in the men’s division. He came in with a time of 4:10:32.

Jana Richtova from the Woodlands, Texas took first place in the women’s division. She finished with a time of 4:45:23.

Hardin, Sheetz and Whitmore each had the highest praise for the volunteers who helped with aid stations and in other ways.

Each expressed effect, and inspiration that comes having family and friends at the event to cheer you on.

Rockton Village President John Peterson fully backed and supported the Ironman coming through Rockton.

“I appreciated all of the work and coordination that Rockton Public Works Director Dan Barber, Rockton Police Chief Matt Hollinger, and Planning and Development Administrator, Tricia Diduch and their staff put in to make the Iron man event a success,” Peterson said.

Hopefully next year is even bigger.

Thank you to the downtown businesses who opened early and to the spectators who came downtown to cheer on the competitors. Plans are to have this event held in Rockford for three consecutive years.”

 
 
 
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