Contestants at the start of the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship

When all was said and done, the day covering the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona Hawaii certainly didn’t disappoint myself or my Bakke-Svensson/ Ironman team members.

Craig Alexander and Chrissie Wellington provided stunning performances and the grit and determination offered by many of the challenged athletes inspired all once again.

Ben Hays ,Tony Svensson and myself began our coverage around 5:30 a.m. October 11, 2008 under a predawn sky. Much like the racers, we try to contain our butterflies and apprehensions of the day’s challenges and the race course’s unexpected notions. Generally we wander the athlete staging area after we have ramped up our computer and stowed our extra gear and a fresh set of clothes (for the night time finish line coverage) in the King Kamehameha Hotel across from the starting area for the swim and the finish line. We wander and photograph athletes putting the finishing touches on their equipment and transition bags amongst a sea of bicycles personally anointed with various shapes and colors of helmets, water and energy drink containers, and good luck charms.

Before the start of the pro race, traditionally we gather as a trio for our ceremonial high five or three-clasped hand shake and offer good luck to one another. Then it’s each man for himself  about the next eight hours before we reconvene at the finish line for the pros anticipated arrivals.

Once the early age group athletes and the pros burst out of the water from the swim portion of the race the day seems to propel into hyper mode. Every year, I for one, am amazed of how fast these folks are on road bikes. Fortunately we are escorted on motorcycles by the safest and best drivers in the world. Boulder Colorado’s Alem International drivers make our jobs a lot easier. If we need to get from point A to point B fast or pinch between a NBC live shot to get ahead of an athlete these skilled professionals can get it done. Besides being fun to be around they are always willing  to stand in as a grip as well.

And when it comes to trying to track down a specific special athlete and his or her bib number, the Alem drivers  do a darn good job of spotting a number in a head-whipping blur up to about 45 mph.

Each phase of the race has its own characteristics and drama but clearly when the athletes hit the pavement this event takes on a unique personality. This is where every athlete no matter what age digs deep and I mean deep-as in puking on the side of the road or expelling down the back of the legs from their running shorts- in an effort to keep going and ultimately crossing the finish line before 17 hours has expired.

Even Chrissie Wellington had her doubts early in the race.

The pro finishes, much like this year, are exciting and awe inspiring. But once the seasoned professionals cross the line the truly magical, heart tugging  episodes begin.

Svensson, Hays and I gather again near the finish line after several more hours of early evening road coverage to document every mom, dad, granddad, teacher, firefighter, Big Island local, you name it competitor coming into the promise land.This is the time every year for as long as I have covered this event I get choked up. This is when the Ironman comes alive with hear and soul. The finish line crowd is in complete fervor. Singing, chanting and carry every competitor to the finish line with a bravado of cheers and encouragement.

One of the age groupers that finished this year visually summed it up for me. This dude had attempted the race five times and did not finish ( he didn’t fail just didn’t finish). But this year he made it in a very respectable time. And as he crossed the finish line he raised his arms and looked  to the sky above, paused in a frozen moment, then lowered his head and gave a soft but determined smile.

Sixty eight year-old Charles Maxwell was definitely happy with his finish.

As a photographer, a person and an adventure enthusiast myself  race day of the Ford Ironman World Championship is probably the best day of the year.

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