There was a gaggle of supporters cheering at the top of the gentle incline of the Walnut Street Bridge on Sunday.
Granted, “gentle” is a matter of perspective since I was walking, and the field of thousands wrapping up the 2019 Sunbelt Baker Ironman 70.3 were pushing through the physical pain that few know.
The folks lining the rails on Walnut Street, screaming encouragement, waving signs and looking the part of super fans somewhere between soccer hooligans and college football tailgaters were eye-popping.
There was a group of young ladies in electric-colored wigs and skin-toned unitards. There was a collection of casual fans who were petting dogs, sipping coffee or snapping photos in between cheers for the runners.
There were even a pair of women who held a poster that read “Smile if you peed on your bicycle,” referring to the 50-plus-mile ride before the 13.1-mile run to end the event that is part lifetime goal and anti-Geneva Convention punishment.