Ironman contest ultimate endurance test

In the world of endurance sports, there are events designed to test the physical, mental and emotional toughness of anyone that signs up.

There are 100-mile trail runs like the Wasatch 100, bicycle races of 200 miles (LOTOJA) and even 500 miles (the Hoodoo 500) and swimming competitions like the Deer Creek Open Water Marathon.

Each can be a yearlong endeavor with a physically draining, yet emotionally satisfying, conclusion.

One event, though, captures the imagination of endurance athletes like none other — Ironman.

And Ironman's signature event, the World Championships, is considered by many the ultimate test of fitness, endurance and athletic accomplishment.

It starts with a 2.4 mile swim through the open water of the Pacific Ocean, is followed with a 112 mile bike ride along some of Hawaii's most beautiful and challenging highways and ends with a full marathon.

Individually, each leg of the triathlon is a daunting task. To stack them up and complete them with little time afforded to rest longer than it takes to change shoes is more than many can handle.

Yet each year tens of thousands across the country train for hundreds — or thousands — of hours just to hear their name followed by the magic words "You are an Ironman" as they cross a finish line.

Next weekend a handful of Utahns will visit the tropical paradise of Kona, Hawaii, where they will willingly suffer those 140.6 miles where the world champions will be crowned. Most of the nearly 2,000 racers will be chasing time goals and strong finishes in their respective age groups.

A select few, however, will push themselves past limits they once thought beyond reach and contend for a win.

With the exception of a small number awarded spots in the world championship race via a lottery, earning a spot in the race takes years of competing.

And even after securing a spot in the prestigious race, there is no guarantee things will work out.

BJ Christenson, the cross country coach at Westminster College and a fixture on the local triathlon scene, had to overcome the theft of his custom-made bicycle.

One of the tallest triathletes around at 6-foot-6, Christenson can't simply walk into a bike shop and leave with a suitable ride. His bikes are custom made to fit his body, and when a thief stole his bright red Guru triathlon bike, it appeared his training for the world championships would be in jeopardy.

A few weeks later, though, his bike was recovered by police and the 31-year-old North Salt Lake resident is on his way. His qualifying time of 9:12:52 at Ironman Coeur d'Alene was the 11th fastest time overall in the event in June and was second in his age group.