2018 IRONMAN LAKE PLACID | BEHIND-THE-SCENES
Twenty years—years filled with sweat and tears, ups and downs. With racing conditions that were perfect, and some that were far from ideal. Years filled with stories about the most inspirational athletes to toe the start line at an IRONMAN event, and of giving back and leaving our legacies long after race day.
This past week, the IRONMAN Foundation had the privilege of partaking in the celebration of 20 years at Lake Placid and continuing our mission to give back to the communities in which we race through grant funding and volunteerism. Here are the highlights:
BIKE FOR A KID
Race week started with our second activation of “Bike for a Kid” on Thursday and Friday in IRONMAN Village, in partnership with FLO Cycling. Fifty bikes were built for local kids in Lake Placid and the surrounding communities, including members from Blue Star Families. Blue Star Families are committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors—individuals and organizations—to create vibrant communities of mutual support. They believe that we’re all stronger when we take care of one another. The IRONMAN Foundation could not agree more.
(Photo by Morgan Pappas for the IRONMAN Foundation)
(Photo by Morgan Pappas for the IRONMAN Foundation)
“TRI SUP” SERVICE PROJECT
On Thursday, in partnership with the Lake Placid Outing Club, over 30 volunteers made up of IRONMAN Foundation Ambassadors, TEAM IMF and IRONMAN Athletes paired up with local kids from the Lake Placid community and together, learned how to stand-up paddleboard on Mirror Lake. IRONMAN Foundation Ambassador Team Captain Mike Reilly and Pro Triathlete Sarah Piampiano attended with other incredible volunteers. The day was filled with laughter and smiles, while the kids conquered their fears of being out on the open water!
(Photo by Morgan Pappas for the IRONMAN Foundation)
(Photo by Morgan Pappas for the IRONMAN Foundation)
20 YEARS OF IRONMAN LAKE PLACID RECEPTION
Friday evening of race week, the IRONMAN Foundation hosted the “20 Years of Lake Placid Reception” – an opportunity to recognize the key stakeholders and founding members who were responsible for bringing IRONMAN to Lake Placid 20 years ago. This event, held at The Lake House, included speakers Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, IRONMAN Chief Operating Officer Shane Facteau and Barbra Rice, Assistant Secretary for Economic Development who read a letter written by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Other notable guests included Graham Fraser, Heather Fuhr and Matt Long, as well as athletes who have competed in all twenty years of the event.
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for the IRONMAN Foundation)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for the IRONMAN Foundation)
TEAM IMF BREAKFAST
The next morning, over 30 attendees including IRONMAN Foundation Ambassadors, TEAM IMF Athletes, IRONMAN Pro Heather Fuhr and husband Roch Frey, Technical Director of the IRONMAN World Championship and Global Events, IRONMAN Foundation Ambassador Team Captain Mike Reilly and the Acting Executive Director Sarah Hartmann all joined together to celebrate the team’s fundraising and training efforts prior to bike check-in. Sharing words of wisdom for race day and many heart felt thank-yous for supporting our race communities, the team came together and celebrated their continued passion for carrying out the IRONMAN Foundation mantra: “Service through sport, commitment to community.”
(Photo by Morgan Pappas for the IRONMAN Foundation)
(Photo by Morgan Pappas for the IRONMAN Foundation)
RACE DAY
A gorgeous race morning sunrise greeted all IRONMAN Foundation Athletes, as they finished up their pre-race preparations in transition before heading over to the swim start. However, Mother Nature did not wait long before she unleashed hard rain and strong winds out on the bike course. Despite the bike course conditions, the weather cleared up in time for the run and all of our TEAM IMF athletes crossed the finish line. Not only did they earn the designation of “IRONMAN,” but they were able to leave their IRONMAN legacy behind.
(Photo by Morgan Pappas for the IRONMAN Foundation)
(Photo by Morgan Pappas for the IRONMAN Foundation)
For more images from IRONMAN Lake Placid, click HERE.