Local athletes finish Ironman triathlon

Photo

Neighbors | Submitted .Canfield resident Derick Fletcher ran his second loop of a 26.2-mile run at the Full Rev Ironman Distance at the Inaugural Revolution 3 Triathlon Series in Sandusky. Fletcher finished the 140.6-mile triathlon in 13:10:17 Aug. 12.

Photo

Neighbors | Submitted .Rob Reed finished the first loop of 26.2-mile run at the Full Rev Ironman Distance at the Inaugural Revolution 3 Triathlon Series in Sandusky. Reed competed in the 140.6-mile triathlon Aug. 12.

Running, biking and swimming helped one Canfield resident fulfill a dream.

Canfield’s Derick Fletcher crossed the finish line at the Full Rev Ironman Distance at the Inaugural Revolution 3 Triathlon Series in Sandusky in 13:10:17.

“It was a lifelong dream to finish one,” said Fletcher. “The distance intrigued me.”

Fletcher had competed in eight smaller events but wanted to try something different. To prepare for the 2.4 mile swim in Lake Erie, Fletcher honed his open water skills in Lake Milton and technical swimming skill is pools. He ran and rode his bike two miles four times a week to help him complete the other 138.2 miles of the triathlon.

“The challenge is the distance and doing what you think you can do,” said Fletcher.

He said he enjoyed running because it was a basic fun thing that kids can do and even though you get slower as you age, you can still do it.

Fletcher’s ambitions didn’t stop at the finish line. He plans to improve his time and get his wife involved in long-distance marathons. She now competes in half-marathons.

“My dream is to qualify for Kona out in Hawaii,” said Fletcher.

Other residents who competed in the Full Rev Ironman Distance 140.6-miles included Adam Capretta, 11:49:13; Rob Reed, 13:36:34; Corky Pike, 14:55:34 and Mary Pat Salcedo, 14:57:17.

Garret Francis, 5:36:03 and Nancy Benedict, 7:41:40 competed in the Half Rev Ironman Distance 70.3-miles.