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Ironman returns > Several thousand triathletes and their families were at the Carilion Clinic IRONMAN 70.3 Virginia’s Blue Ridge Triathlon last month. The course - and the valley - impressed some of the out-of-towners – from the 1.2-mile swim at Carvins Cove to the 56-mile bike ride that included a long stretch on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the half marathon on the Roanoke River Greenway. High praise from the overall winner for males in the Ironman triathlon, Matt Genter from Colorado: “I live in Boulder, a place that’s amazing for cycling, but this rivals it for sure. It seems like a beautiful area to me. I love the climbs. It was awesome.” Boulder was an early leader in making communities biking friendly. Meanwhile says the overall female winner, Anna Marie Strehlow from Wisconsin of the varied biking opportunities in the valley: “its been great and the hospitality has been unbelievable. What I really like about this race is the police and fire squads volunteers were just amazing. You can tell that the town really comes together for this race.” Carilion Clinic IRONMAN has one race left next year on the contract, unless it is extended A number of hands shot up when asked from the stage which participants
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might come back for the Carilion Clinic IRONMAN 70.3 Virginia’s Blue Ridge Triathlon in 2023. Strehlow might be among them: “I love [Carvins] Cove, it’s absolutely beautiful’ I wish you could swim there regularly. It was gorgeous. Getting up the parkway was beautiful; it was shaded. The climb as hard but because it was shaded it was fun.” The Ironman 70.3 brought lots of visitors and their dollars to the valley; local businesses like Cardinal Bicycle got exposure and some business from local competitors Whit Ellerman is the owner: “we provided bikes for the course officials to use … and the riders who led out the lead [half marathon] runners. But more than that we just want to be here and be supportive. Its such a great event for our community. Just seeing the excitement.” Ellerman says "every little bit helps" - events like Ironman and the Junior National races at the end of June - if the Roanoke Valley wants to establish a true "biking culture." Valley Business FRONT editor Gene Marrano (half marathon) was part of a relay team that included 9th District Congressman Morgan Griffith (swim) and Amanda Coker (bike), a Floridian who holds records for the most miles biked in a year. Catherine Fox, formerly with Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, helped assemble that relay team.
