Syracuse in the News
Part 1: What is the Iron Girl triathlon?
07/09/2009
Source: Allison Lazarz, News 10 Now
ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- You'll see a scene similar to this one at Oneida Shores Park on July 26th. More than 600 women have signed up to take part in the Aflac Iron Girl triathlon and more than half are from outside the Syracuse area. That means an anticipated $1.4 million being pumped into the local economy.
"When a triathlete comes to town, they come to town with their families, not just themselves. So not only will you get one head in a bed, you get three or four people, which is what we're all about," said Katie Neilsen of the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Iron Girl is an all-female triathlon and about 60 percent of the participants in Iron Girl events are first-timers. The triathlon's mission is to empower women towards a healthy lifestyle.
"It gives you a new reason to get out there and exercise. No longer is it, ‘oh, I just have to do 20 or 30 minutes today.' You're going to have to prepare for what's going to face you at the event, which includes an 800 meter swim, 18 mile bike, followed by 3.1 mile run. So you have to take the time to do that training and be disciplined," said Iron Girl Vice President Judy Molnar.
All of the Iron Girl events take place at Oneida Shores Park in Brewerton. Molnar says the Syracuse-area was chosen because of its central location.
"All the cities within an eight-hour drive can make it there. As far as D.C., ya know, Cleveland, Boston. We've had a lot of women in the state of New York say ‘when are you coming here. We want one up here, something that's at least drivable for us.' And so that was definitely an asset there, how easy it is to get to Syracuse," Molnar said.
And the Syracuse area is no stranger to hosting triathlons.
"There's plenty of other amenities in the area other than the Oneida Shores location. We know how to do triathlons. We've had a couple here prior to and there's a lot of local support, which is very key," said Neilsen.
I'm News 10 Now's Allison Lazarz, and I'm one of the 600 plus women participating in the Iron Girl triathlon. I'm part of that 60 percent of the Iron Girl participants that hasn't ever done a triathlon before and I'll be taking you along with me as I train for July 26th.