Ford Ironman Wisconsin

Monday, 15th August 2005

The Ford Ironman Wisconsin triathlon will take place for the fourth time on Sunday, September 11, 2005, in Madison and surrounding Dane County. Ford Ironman Wisconsin has quickly become one of the most popular Ironman events in the world, joining the likes of Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid and Subaru Ironman Canada as one of the top events on the Ironman North America schedule.

Ford Ironman Wisconsin is one of eight Ironman events that are currently held in continental North America, with seven events in the United States and one in Canada.  An Ironman triathlon is one of the most grueling events in the world of sports and is also considered the most prestigious of ultra-distance triathlon events.

Competitors at Ford Ironman Wisconsin begin their day with a 2.4-mile swim in Lake Monona, followed by a 112-mile bike ride throughout Dane County and then a complete marathon (26.2 miles) in and around downtown Madison.  Ford Ironman Wisconsin also provides the unique backdrop of downtown Madison, as athletes will finish their day directly in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol building.

More than 1,800 athletes from around the world are expected to compete in the Madison event, as competitors will be vying for 80 qualifying spots to the 2005 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $30,000 pro prize purse.

Athletes from 21 countries and 46 states compete in the 2004 event, with Nicole DeBoom (Lyons, Colo.) and Canada's Dave Harju earning the women's and men's titles respectively.

Ford Ironman Wisconsin, while fitting the bill as a unique international event, also has a unique tie with the city of Madison and the surrounding communities, as more than 3,000 people volunteer for the event.

Many volunteers and volunteer captains will be entering their fourth year of working on the event, and the continued success of the event is directly tied to the great volunteer support.  "Without the volunteer base in each Ironman community, no event of this nature could ever take place," said Ironman North America President Graham Fraser. "An event like Ironman helps to bring the community together to support it and is not only a great economic boom for the area, but provides a community-building atmosphere."

Article Source:  By Press Release, Ironman North America.