When the high school sports season ends, community and individual events come to light in the Bay Area. Little League Baseball/Softball, Babe Ruth, American Legion, swimming, track & field and various camps all come to mind quickly for the youth, but some adults also step forward individually. It starts with runners. Marathons, 10K’s, they attract both male and female adults. Circle-the-Bay (August 12, 2023) is the big Summer Run locally, but there are also individuals who challenge their bodies to compete in Triathlons. This past weekend, two Bay Area adult athletes did just that. Put their bodies through a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike course and a 13.1-mile finishing run. It was the Ironman 70.3 at Salem, Sunday, July 23rd. Retired CBPD Sgt. Robert Lounsbury is a veteran to Ironman events. However, this was his first race in four-years after undergoing a stem cell transplant for a torn meniscus according to his wife Tammy. “Air temperature was 86°. Robert started his swim in the Willamette River @ 6:50 am. Pretty strong down river current. He said it was pretty rough in places. Bike ride was relativity flat with some rollers. The run was shaded which was nice as it warmed up fast after the swim.” Robert competes in the 55-59 age group and was 23rd out of 165, 298th overall (4:45:17) out of 2,401 competitors. Marshfield HS teacher and coach Doug Miles competed in the 50-54 age group and placed 133rd out of 192, 1,634th overall (6:43:14) out of 2,377. “Doug was using this as a building block as he prepares for Ironman CA in October 2023 in Sacramento CA.”
