Chattanooga wins big with Ironman participants (multimedia)

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP• The race will offer slots to 50 age group competitors from this year's race for the 2015 Ironman World Championship taking place Oct. 10, 2015, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. For contenders to claim their spot, they must be present at the breakfast this morning.• Racers Celebration Day breakfast, awards ceremony and 2015 Ironman World Championship slot allocation/rolldown ceremony is taking place at the Chattanooga Convention Center at 8 a.m.• Registration for the 2015 Little Debbie Ironman Chattanooga will still be located at Ross's Landing in the registration tent at 8 a.m., and is open to all.Source: Ironman Chattanooga's Facebook page

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• Ironman Chattanooga race day moments (multimedia)• Pro triathletes put on a show at first Ironman Chattanooga

Things didn't go exactly as planned at Chattanooga's first Ironman. But nothing -- not Mother Nature nor devious pranksters; not even the discovery of a dead body -- could dampen the city's excitement during one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in the Scenic City.

More than 2,300 athletes entered the water just after 7 a.m. Sunday, swimming to the sound of roaring cheers. Onlookers from across the globe crowded the banks of the Tennessee River and fans across the city didn't fall silent until after midnight, when the last athletes crossed the finish line.

Jeff Gibson, from Hixson, thought he had given up competing in Ironman races, but said he couldn't resist completing one at home. Gibson danced across the finish line in his bright red running shoes as a group of his family and friends stood cheering and shivering in rain-soaked T-shirts they had customized with a picture of his face on the front.

"I wouldn't have done this race if it was not here," said Gibson, who finished with a time of 9:41:30, making him one of the first local finishers on Sunday.

In total, the race was a grueling 2.4-mile swim, a 116-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run. Every single athlete finished the swim portion of the course, something that rarely happens during Ironman competitions, said Mike Reilly -- "voice of the Ironman" -- who announced his 138th race on Sunday.

Many swimmers were unaware when they arrived at Ross's Landing that a dead body was being fished out of the Tennessee River by the Chattanooga Police under the Olgiati Bridge, just beyond the end of the swim, around 8:30 a.m.

Police could not immediately tell whether the victim was male or female, but emphasized that the body was not that of an Ironman athlete or at all related to the competition. Police also said there were no immediate signs of foul play.

As the swimmers climbed out of the river, many said they were buoyed by the Tennessee River's strong current and made better time than expected.

Sammy Grant, 39, finished his swim in 53 minutes -- well before the hour and 15 minutes he'd expected to be in the water. Grant competed in the Ironman in honor of his brother, Jon Grant, 34, who suffers from ulcerative colitis and has had seven abdomen surgeries.

Jon Grant and thousands of other spectators waited on Ross's Landing to watch as the swimmers slipped out of the water. Jon Grant said he was encouraged when he caught a glimpse of his older brother.

"He didn't look as tired as some of the other competitors," Jon Grant said.

After the swim, the athletes faced the 116-mile bike ride looping through North Georgia. A handful of athletes ran into trouble during the bike portion when someone threw oil and tacks onto the course, Ironman staff member Norm Pingley said. At least 30 people ended up with flat tires, he said.

photo Matt Hanson of Storm Lake, Iowa, waves to the crowd after winning the Ironman Chattanooga on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

He added that it's not unusual to see tacks on the bike course.

"It's a fairly common problem," he said. "Especially when you get out into the rural areas, sometimes people don't want you there."

Third place finisher Trevor Wurtele said he was shocked by the huge crowd that showed up to cheer in Chickamauga, Ga.

"You're out by yourself most of the bike ride, but every once in awhile you see a crowd," he said, adding that it was a helpful encouragement in the race.

Jeff Edwards, vice president of operations for Ironman in North America, admitted there were hiccups, but said that is expected for a first-year race.

"Overall it has been a great day," he said. "It is a fantastic setting downtown Chattanooga with the bridges and the river. This is an awesome reception for a first-year event and these crowds are enormous."

Downtown traffic was fairly light Sunday, as most Ironman spectators walked or biked instead of driving. Restaurants and attractions were slammed with extra customers, especially during the bike portion of the event, which lasted several hours.

Maris Phifer and her mom stopped at the Creative Discovery Museum while her dad, Robert Phifer, was on the bike course. They've been to three other Ironman triathlons, and said Chattanooga was well-suited for it.

"There's more to do here," Maris Phifer said. "Most of the time you have to just wait outside in the hot sun for like 20 hours."

It took more than 4,000 volunteers to pull off Sunday's race, and the numbers gathered throughout the day were even larger.

The rain that began around 4:45 p.m. did not stop fans from lining the final half-mile of the course along the river, cheering as runners sprinted, walked and wobbled their way to the finish line.

"You are an Ironman," Reilly repeated as each competitor crossed the line while music blasted in the background.

photo A volunteer holds one of the medallions handed to finishers in Ironman Chattanooga on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Dr. Bill Moore Smith was prepared with a crew of more than 50 medics in red shirts at the finish line. A large white medical tent was nearby, equipped with IVs, blankets, cots, ice and anything else that athletes may need.

No serious injuries had taken place, Smith reported around 5 p.m.

"The pros are all in great shape and they are ready to sit down and start drinking, but the recreational guys are going to need re-hydration," he said.

The most emotional and powerful finishes were at the end of the night, Edwards said, when those who weren't professional athletes finally made it to the end.

Face after face, wet with rain and sweat, was lined with shock and exhaustion as last steps met the pavement. But there was the occasional smile. Those still standing after finishing were rushed with kisses and hugs from family.

"I'm so proud you finished," a woman said to her son.

"Now you can help the kids with their homework," said a wife who was glad the months of training were over.

"I'm not surprised you beat your brother. Hopefully your sister will finish," said a mother to the first of her three children to finish the race.

Hayden Gibson, 10, was eager to tell his friends about his dad's lightning speed -- but he wasn't surprised.

"He won," he yelled to his friends. "He won."

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592.

Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at 423-757-6525 or sbradbury@timesfreepress.com with tips or story ideas.

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