JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville capped off its first Ironman Triathlon with an awards ceremony Sunday morning at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, celebrating nearly 2,000 athletes who set personal records and pushed their way to the finish line.
After more than 140 miles of racing, competitors filled their plates at a Sunday recovery breakfast before gathering to be recognized for their hard work.
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“I think I’m proud of myself but also that women can do anything that they set their mind to,” said New Hampshire athlete Samantha Stopyra-Glover.
This morning’s awards ceremony marked an opportunity for some top finishers from yesterday’s Ironman to claim a spot at the Ironman World Championships, held in Kona, Hawaii.
The convention center also set the stage for athletes and supporters to reflect on the race and the excitement of the weekend.
Locals and visitors alike shared their experiences in the River City.
Javier Zamorano, an athlete from Chile, was among those who made the trip to Jacksonville.
“I really loved the City of Jacksonville,” Zamorano said. “The bridges are very pretty, the cleanliness.”
Husband-and-wife duo Ken and Adrienne McCarthy — one a supporter, one an athlete — also shared their takeaways from the course.
“The swim did not have the current we expected,” Adrienne said. “We definitely expected a faster swim, but it was still good.”
“It was a lot of positivity out on the course,” Ken said.
With nearly 2,000 athletes on the course, one challenge rose to the top when competitors were asked about their biggest obstacle — the heat.
“It was very, very hot, and so there was more people walking than I’ve ever seen in an Ironman,” Adrienne said.
For 19-year-old Amelie Buras, a standout Clearwater athlete, the Florida heat was nothing new.
“I feel like I was pretty acclimated from living here,” Buras said. “A lot of ice on the run helped a lot.”