Play Ball
Insights about local and national sports.
Ironman Lake Placid notes & quotes
- When Rochester’s Jennie Hansen crossed the finish line as the second professional woman, it wasn’t just her best finish at a full-distance Ironman; it was her first time competing in one. Her husband had a question for her afterward: “Do you
believe you’re meant to do this now?” David Hansen raced Sunday as an age-grouper, and Jennie hung around the finish area to wait for him to arrive. He crossed the line, walked up to her and said “You are amazing.” Then he made sure anyone in earshot knew his wife had finished second.
- Lake Placid’s Joni Gerken signed up for the race with her husband, Robert. He didn’t end up competing, but he was there to root her on. “He was my head cheerleader,” Joni said. “I knew where he was going to be, and he was on a bike so every once and a while he would bike 20 feet with me or whatever just to check on me.” She said it was encouraging to be able to find a family member in the crowd. “Absolutely. Just to have someone to ask how you’re doing and keep a reality check.”
- 2,589 athletes checked in for Sunday’s race. 957 of them were first-timers. 76-year-old Herb Brown of Charlotte, N.C. was the oldest athlete, and Queensbury native David Bruno, who turned 18 on Friday, was the youngest.
Lake Placid’s Charlie Cowan on the swim: ”It was probably the toughest swim I’ve ever had, kinda like playing water polo for about one length of the thing. Just getting kicked in the goggles and hit in the head, kicked in the jaw.”
Joni Gerken on her race: “The swim was tough; my bike was awesome. It was a little too awesome, I think. Because running’s normally my strong point, I think I would’ve done a little better on the run if I had held back on the bike a little bit. Overall, I had a really good day.”
Morrisonville’s Jeffrey Burdo on his day: “I was pretty strong on the bike, and the run went as planned afterward. So actually I feel pretty good.”
Jennie Hansen on how she planned to spend Sunday evening: “Not moving.”
Write a comment
You need to login to post comments!
