See triathletes compete in Sacramento Ironman competition as rain soaks end of race
By Bee staff
Thousands of triathletes swam, biked and ran through Sacramento and Yolo County for the region’s second Ironman California competition Sunday as rain abruptly arrived in the early afternoon.
Dan Plews finished first, with a time of 7 hours, 56 minutes and 56 seconds. Kristen Yax was the first female finisher, with a time of 9 hours, 17 minutes and 29 seconds.
Triathalon competitors have 17 hours to complete the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run that make up the Ironman, so the course was active until midnight and all of the athletes experienced a share of the rainfall, which began around 2 p.m.
Sacramento’s first planned Ironman in 2021 was canceled minutes before its start because of a “bomb cyclone” that brought significant precipitation to the region.
Kirk White, of American Fork, Utah, finishes the swim portion during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Triathletes walk on the ramp after finishing the swim portion during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday in West Sacramento. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Angele Sanders, of New Orleans has her wetsuit removed by volunteers after finishing the swim portion during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Bruno Rigillo checks his tire pressure before starting the bike portion during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Alvin Saguin of Los Angeles holds a sign for participants while his cousin Marcelo Gino, 10, high-fives Josh Folkerts of Chicago near the 38-mile marker of the bike course in Yolo County. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Valerie Saguin, of Los Angeles, waves as her husband, Jeffrey Saguin, passes at about the 38-mile marker on the bike course during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
A triathlete rides by people waiting for their family members at about the 38-mile marker of the bike course during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Sara Keeling, left, helps Patrick Utitus-Canez from Gilbert, Ariz., with applesauce while Lauren McGuire helps steady the bicycle at about the 38-mile marker on the bike course during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Utitus-Canez, who has cerebral palsy, is participating in his fifth Ironman. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Runners cross on Tower Bridge during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Runners grab water from volunteers during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Cortney Went, left, of Menlo Park, and Ryan Toshiba, of Danville, smile as they run across Tower Bridge during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Two participants pass under the Tower Bridge on the running course amid heavy rainfall in West Sacramento during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Janet Carmona, center, high-fives her husband Edgar Corral, of Los Gatos, with her son Evan, 15, as he runs towards Old Sacramento during the Ironman California triathlon on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
This story was originally published October 23, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
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