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Thousands finish strong at Chattanooga's first Ironman 70.3
Hand claps and cheers rang out from the Walnut Street Bridge on Sunday afternoon as the Caughman family sat curbside, rooting for participants in Chattanooga's inaugural Sunbelt Bakery Half Ironman 70.3.
"It makes a big difference when you're running up a hill and there are people cheering for you," said Jay Caughman, of Chattanooga.
He was among dozens of fans scattered across the Walnut Street Bridge and Frazier Avenue, waving on the last participants in the Ironman competition.
Cowbells and whistles sounded for some 2,500 athletes competing in the triathlon, half the length of a full-on Ironman event such as the city hosted in September 2014 and is holding again this coming September.
On Sunday, the competitors started with a 1.2 mile swim, then went on a 56-mile bike ride and finally faced a 13.1 mile run up Riverfront Parkway and the Tennessee Riverwalk.
Caughman ran on Sunday representing Emily's Power for a Cure, a team supporting a cure for neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer. After crossing the finish line, he joined the crowd cheering for fellow athletes.
"We have a lot of fun, a lot of camaraderie," he said.
At another spot on the bridge, Katy Burnette of Chattanooga was wearing pink footed pajamas holding a sign that read, "Don't Be A Baby. Run Faster."
She wanted to motivate runners, or at least make them laugh. She cheered all Sunday afternoon until the last runner came up the bridge.
"I am inspired by these Ironman athletes," said Burnette. "I know how much they put into it, sacrificing time with their families, relationships, jobs."
Chattanooga firefighter and triathlete Jason Greer said the crowd motivation is "awesome."
Greer, who walked to raise money for children's cancer research, came up the hill swinging both arms. "I've got 20 minutes to finish," he said, walking to the finish line Sunday.
While city officials were pumped by the economic bump expected from 2,500 athletes, families and supporters, the cash registers weren't ringing as expected in the Frazier Avenue shops on the North Shore.
Jeanne Trewhitt, owner of Child's Garden Boutique, sat looking out from her nearly empty store Sunday. Trewhitt said she likes having the Ironman competition but said it doesn't do much to help her business.
"People are coming strictly for Ironman," said Trewhitt "Parking is disruptive."
Hill City Pizza staff said they were having a slow day, and the Good Dog hot dog shop, which normally is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m daily, closed at 3 p.m. Sunday.
By late Sunday afternoon, Blue Skies manager Kaitlin Cottle was hoping some of those who had thronged in for the competition would have caught their breath and be in a mood to shop.
Stragglers continued to cross the finish line into the evening.
Adam Varnell yelled out, "Go, Anna, go!" after seeing his sister come up the bridge.
He had been waiting for nearly two hours before he saw her bright green hat coming up the hill. Then he stepped inside the coned spectator area to complete the race with her.
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or423-757-6431.