Former Sandpoint resident fares well at Ironman Cd'A
SANDPOINT — A trio of athletes with local ties fared well Sunday at the 2008 Ironman Coeur d’Alene race.
Coeur d’Alene’s Brian Hadley, who went to high school in Sandpoint and whose parents own the Paint Bucket, finished 21st overall out of more than 2,300 competitors in the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run race — the top Idaho finisher.
Hadley, who has finished as high as 15th in previous Ironman Coeur d’Alene races, clocked a 9:39.29, to finish third among the men’s 30-34 age group. He had the fifth fastest time overall on the bike (4:55.38), no small accomplishment with the world class field, but faded slightly during the last 12 miles of his run to fall out of contention. Nonetheless, he said he had a great time and was inspired by a strong turnout of family and friends who supported him.
“My family and people from work had shirts and everything. It gave me something to look forward to. Out on the bike you get kind of lonely,” said Hadley, noting his bike leg was the highlight of the race. “You go through highs and lows. The lows are really low, but you get euphoria things.”
He said a young boy with a black eye running along and cheering him on was one of those euphoric moments.
A stiff wind off the lake and frigid waters made for the only tough conditions on an otherwise perfect racing day. Liz Hadley, Brian’s mom, was one of about 30 family members and friends following Brian along the race course.
“There was lots of screaming and family support. It was a magic day,” said Liz, noting Brian’s uncle Don Hadley, from Spokane, also raced. “We all went to different points and watched him, and we got a smile every time.”
Jeromy Scheel, who lives in Athol but works at Diedrich Manufacturing in Sandpoint, clocked a 13:23.43, good for 1,147th place overall. Sagle resident J.E. Lewis clocked a 16:22.18, good for 1,892nd place overall, to account for the other local finishes.
Canadian Tom Evans (8:34.22) won the men’s pro race, and fellow Canadian Heather Wurtele (9:38.58) won the women’s pro race.