Wiedmer: Ironman proves it’s never too late to get in shape

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Age group competitors compete in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia. Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Age group competitors compete in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

By Mark Wiedmer September 26, 2016 5 min read

Photo Gallery

Belgian wins record-hot Ironman Chattanooga race

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Barrett Brandon #15, from Fort Worth, TX, leads the mens professional division as they compete in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Eric Limkemann #8, from Richmond, VA, left, drafts Barrett Brandon #15, from Fort Worth, TX, while the two lead the mens professional division as they compete in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Professional competitors draft each other while competing in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Eric Limkemann #8, from Richmond, VA, drafts Barrett Brandon #15, from Fort Worth, TX, while the two lead the mens professional division as they compete in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Spectators watch as athletes compete in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Age group competitors pass between the Market and Walnut Street Bridges while competing in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Nicole Schile #1515, from Overland Park, KS, passes under the Walnut Street Bridge while competing in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Kenneth Burnett #1239, from Fayetteville, NC, passes under the Walnut Street Bridge during the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Kenneth Burnett #1239, from Fayetteville, NC, swims towards a support boater to work out a cramp before completing the final leg of the swim during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Konstantine Vlasis redirects off course swimmers as they compete in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Age group competitors finish up the final stretch of the swim portion while competing in the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Age group competitors exit the water while competing in the swim portion of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Robert Starnes motivates a runner while volunteering during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Cyclists enter the bike to run transition during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Dusty Spiller #34, finishes up the bike leg during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Adam Weeks #2143, from Hickory, NC, and TinTin Rexach #437, from San Juan, PR, ride past a run mural while on the bike course during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Roger Hedlund #599, from Tabernash, CO, enters the bike to run transition area during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Chip Walters #2515, from Harrison, TN., and other runners leave the bike to run transition during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Marino Vanhoenacker #2, from Jabbeke, BEL, leads the professional field on his second loop of the run course during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. Vanhoenacker won overall with a time of 8:12:22. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Marino Vanhoenacker #2, from Jabbeke, BEL, raises his hands in victory as he wins the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. Vanhoenacker won overall with a time of 8:12:22. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Jeff Symonds #5, from Vancouver, BC, celebrates with fans as he secures second place overall during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Jeff Symonds #5, from Vancouver, BC, celebrates as he secures second place overall during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Eric Limkemann, from Richmond, VA, starts the run after being third off the bike during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. Limkemann finished 8th overall. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Matt Russell #4, from Sarasota, FL, heads out for his first loop of the run course during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. Russell took third place overall with an overall time of 8:24:53. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Matt Russell #4, from Sarasota, FL, makes his way to the finish line during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. Russell took third place overall with an overall time of 8:24:53. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Matt Russell #4, from Sarasota, FL, recovers after crossing the finish line during the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. Russell took third place overall with an overall time of 8:24:53. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Matt Russell #4, from Sarasota, FL, performs a

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Finishers hats are stacked up for competitors of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. Russell took third place overall with an overall time of 8:24:53. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Medals are stacked up for competitors of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. Russell took third place overall with an overall time of 8:24:53. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/25/16. Support boaters wait for the start of the 2016 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on September 25, 2016. More than 2,700 athletes registered to compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 116-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Mark Wiedmer

Having just become the first woman to cross the finish line in the Little Debbie Ironman on Sunday afternoon, Canadian Richele Frank was asked what she most liked about visiting Chattanooga.

“From the moment you arrive at the airport they treat you like a superstar,” she said. “They think you’re nuts, but they treat you like a superstar.”

By that measuring stick, our town was treated to more than 2,700 superstar athletes the past couple of days, though none of them may be more of a superstar human being than William “Hank” Stieh.

Running in his first Ironman, the 39-year-old Virginia resident will donate a kidney to his 63-year-old father in approximately three weeks.

“It’s a tough surgery,” said his longtime girlfriend Amy Caddy. “He’s not even supposed to lift anything as heavy as a phone book for at least three weeks after the surgery.”