While many of us were still sleeping, approximately 2,300 athletes hit the water at 7 a.m. Sunday to begin the fourth annual Ironman competition.
\The excitement in the air is so high in the morning when the sun is rising over Lake Monona. It is amazing,"" said Julie Sauer, Ironman event volunteer and UW-Madison graduate student.
The athletes, about three men to every woman, completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run.
""It is inspiring to see people who care enough to help others and volunteer their time to help the athletes competing,"" said Rod Tippery, an aid-station volunteer. ""The little kids volunteering are great, they get such a thrill out of it all, especially if a family member is competing.""
The 90-degree weather took a toll on athletes, causing some to pass out from exhaustion, but medics were on hand to assist athletes that were having trouble with the heat, Ann Murray, UW-Madison graduate student and volunteer said.
Aid stations placed throughout the course provided participants with water, ice and nourishment while they competed in the final leg of the race.
The course closed at midnight, at which point participants' times were no longer recorded.
""Right before midnight, the excitement builds and becomes almost contagious as competitors try to finish in time,"" Tippery said.
All 50 states and approximately 20 countries were represented at Sunday's competition, Sauer said.
Sign-up for 2006 Ironman begins Monday, and is expected to be full within 12 hours, even with the $450 sign-up fee.
- Anne Flavin
