For a triathlete, there is no bigger day in the 2009 calendar year than October 10. For Haley Chura, a Senior Auditor at Bennett Thrasher competing in her first Ford Ironman World Championships, there was no better place to be on that day than Kona, Hawaii. Chura, a University of Georgia graduate and member of the 2005 Bulldogs National Champion swimming and diving team, finished the grueling, 140.6 mile Kona course, in 12:32:58, placing 12th in her age division.
To compete in the the Kona Ironman, a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run, a triathlete must either earn a spot through qualifying or win a spot in the lottery. Haley earned her entry by winning her age group at a half-Ironman in Rhode Island in July.
In Hawaii, Haley got off to a quick start, finishing the swim in 53:33, first in her age group and sixth overall among both woman amateurs and professionals. She followed that with a 6:06:03 bike, second in her group, and a 5:25:38 run in the marathon.
Chura was thrilled with the opportunity to compete and with her finish in Hawaii, but is looking forward to coming back next year and improving on her first time success. |