http://www.newsday.com/news/health/the-daily-apple-1.4760551/long-island-competitors-reflect-on-ironman-world-championship-1.6251619
KAILUA-KONA, HI -- On Saturday, Marc Blumencranz of Manhasset, Adam
Quinn of Port Jefferson Station and Bob Spina Jr. of North Massapequa
were able to accomplish a feat that very few are even able to qualify
for, let alone finish. The trio competed in -- and completed -- the 35th
Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
For many, the mere thought of competing in a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile
bike and 26.2-mile run -- in succession -- could be a mental punishment.
But for these three Long Islanders there was no better feeling than
being crowned the title of an Ironman.
For Blumencranz, 50, and Quinn, 24, this was their first time competing
in the world championship and, ironically, Quinn didn’t even start
racing triathlons until this year. This was Spina’s fifth trip to the
competition.
The three competed in a field of 2,134 worldwide competitors,
representing 52 countries and 50 states. Blumencranz completed the
course in 13:19:56, 1722 overall and 141/175 in the male 50-54 age
group; Quinn finished in 10:31:58, 951 overall and 31/48 in the male
18-24 age group; Spina finished in 10:56:57, 1175 overall and 88/175 in
the male 50-54 age group.
“At 75 miles the bike became the most frustrating experience in
Ironman,” said Blumencranz, who suffered a potentially career-ending leg
injury while running the Boston Marathon in April 2008. “What a great
overall experience, even if an injury prevented me from reaching my time
goal.”
Blumencranz dedicated his Kailua-Kona finish to a teammate’s son who is hospitalized at Cohen Children’s Hospital.
Known for its wicked currents, strong winds and intense heat, about
80,000 athletes attempt qualify for the Ironman World Championship each
year through full or half Ironman-distance races held worldwide, or by
lottery.
If attempting to quality through an Ironman race, only the most elite
athletes who finish at the top of their age groups earn a spot at
Kailua-Kona.
“As it was my first time in Kona, I had only heard the stories of the
battles in the mass swim start, the relentless headwinds on the bike and
the sweltering midafternoon heat during the marathon,” Quinn said. “All
I can say is that the legends of Kona are true, and I now understand
why it’s known as the hardest one-day endurance event on the world's
toughest course.”
The overall men’s winner was Frederik Van Lierde of Belgium, who
finished in 8:12:29. Mirinda Carfrae of Australia won the women’s
division in 8:52:14 and set a new course record.
“It might not have been my best race, but I can say I conquered Kona
alongside some of the fittest people in the world, and I had an absolute
blast doing it,” Quinn said. “It was a long, tough day, but at the end I am able to call myself an Ironman. And that makes it all worth it.”