PAUL HOPKINS COMPLETES 4^TH IRONMAN ON AUGUST 26, 2007

Paul Hopkins, local runner and triathlete, finished the 25^th Annual Ironman Canada in 11 hours and 29 minutes, a personal best.  The cool and cloudy day kept the over 2600 participants in fine form as they completed the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a full marathon - 26.2 miles.  A full Ironman is 140.6 miles in length.  “I am really happy to have finished as fast as I did”, said Hopkins.  “I thought my swim was a tad slow, but I made good time on the bike and the run was awesome”. 

Hopkins swim time was 1:08, bike was 6:01 and the run was 4:10 which allowed him to break his personal best of 11:59 at last year’s race.  “I am sore and tired, but very satisfied with my performance today” spoken by Hopkins as volunteers were escorting him to the medical tent for evaluation.

Ironman Canada held in Penticton, British Columbia, draws triathletes from all over the world.  This was Hopkins’ third Ironman Canada and fourth Ironman overall.  He has registered, again, for next year’s race as well as Ironman Coeur d’Alene in Idaho.  Not many triathletes compete in two Ironman events in one year.

What is Ironman triathlon?

The Ironman Triathlon is one of the most grueling events in the world of sport, and also one of the most inspiring. Ironman triathlon features a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a complete marathon (26.2 miles) all in succession. Athletes have 17 hours to complete the event (from the 7 a.m. start until midnight).

Ironman History

Ironman triathlon had the humblest of beginnings, as a group of Navy Seals who were stationed in Hawaii, were discussing who were the fittest athletes in the world. Were swimmers, cyclists or runners the fittest? Navy commander John Collins decided there was only one way to find out, and that was to combine all three.

So on Feb. 18, 1978, 15 competitors decided to put themselves to the test by swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles. "Whoever finishes first will be called the Ironman," Collins said. And thus, Ironman Triathlon was born.

2003 marked the 25th anniversary of that first event and the growth of Ironman has been spectacular.

Since those humble beginnings, the sport of Ironman has developed into an international phenomenon. With 21 Ironman distance events sanctioned races worldwide for 2006, Ironman touches all corners of the globe and has races on all of the continents of the world except Antarctica.
         

Over the 30 years since this 8.8 K run began, the name of the race has changed three times.  The Record Run was the original name, after the local newspaper.  When the paper was bought and sold the race became The Journal Run and now the name The Loop Run and is managed by Island Rec.

Saturday morning was perfect as close to 150 runners toed the start line on Spring Street before heading off towards Warbass and around Turn - Pear Point.  Many of the local runners where there with the youngsters taking the top three finishing positions.  Paul Hopkins was the first ROD (Really Old Dude) to finish in 37:07 and fourth place over all.

For me the run was a success.  I had develop a goal range and finished within that range in 46:13, so I am happy.  I was concerned, as I was having a heel problem since Tuesday night run, that I might not be able to race.

Attached is the Race Results.

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