Over 2,000 people participated in last weekend’s Ironman 70.3 Blue Ridge triathlon. [PHOTO: Matt de SimoneBy Matt de Simone
The IRONMAN 70.3 held its Blue Ridge leg as over 2,000 participants swam, biked, and ran through sections of the Roanoke Valley on Sunday, June 6.
Representatives of Troutville, Daleville, Fincastle, Blue Ridge, and Cloverdale were among those who competed in the event. Citizens from all over Botetourt County lined the roads and sidewalks to cheer on the competitors.
Matt Shafer, a 24-year-old from Boston, was the first to cross the finish line on the Roanoke River Greenway in a little over four hours (4:10:38). Kathryn Buss of Blacksburg was the first female to finish (5:00:12).
Locals encouraged cyclists bursting out of Gateway Crossing in Troutville. [POThe Jeter family joined dozens of other spectators along the bike route to cheer on the more than 2,000 participants in the area’s first Ironman. [PHOTO: Matt de Simone]
Read Mountain Fire & Rescue covered the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Rt. 43.
Hundreds of Ironman participants breezed through downtown Buchanan before starting the grueling climb up Rt. 43 to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Jeter family joined dozens of other spectators along the bike route to cheer on the more than 2,000 participants in the area’s first Ironman. [SUBMITTED PHOTOS]
