R/C Race Team member John Wiygul places 17th in his age group at the Ironman 70.3 WC

Rock/Creek Race Team member John Wiygul provided this report from the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. Great finish, John!

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The Ironman 70.3 World Championship, held on September 11, changed venues this year to Las Vegas, Nevada. Transition 1 and the swim where at Lake Las Vegas, with a 1.2-mile non-wetsuit-legal swim. The 56-mile bike was hilly, with 5200 feet of elevation gain! It went out to Lake Mead with a turn around and then to Henderson, where T2 took place. The run was a 3-loop course that was half uphill and half downhill.

It was the most challenging 70.3 course I have done, due to the heat, hills and wind. I had a fair swim, coming out a bit far back in my age group. My bike was great, with a time of 2:29, and my run was fast with a half marathon in 1:32. I finished in a total time of 4:39:42.

In my age group (18-24), there were a lot of strong 24-year-olds, but I was 17th worldwide and 7th in the nation. I was also 142nd overall — including the pros — out of over 1580 athletes. Fellow Chattanoogan and R/C team member Johnny and his son Patrick O’brien also competed in the race, and they graciously let me stay at Lake Las Vegas with them. Thanks guys! It was a great experience and I look forward to going back.