Gruelling and exhilarating. That’s how three Kamloops Forest Region employees described the August 26th, 2001, Ironman Triathalon in Penticton.

Among the 1,992 athletes were Kamloops District Manager Tony Buckley, the district’s engineering technician Gord McDonald, and Lillooet Forestry Officer Ray Morello. Kathy Cunningham, wife of Penticton Operations Manager Ken Cunningham, also tested her endurance on the challenging course.

Tony Buckley tackled the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle race, and 26.2-mile run, and finished his first Ironman.

"I trained for two years, running short-distance events and intensifying my training schedule a year before the event," said Tony. "I’m probably in the best shape of my life right now."

It was Gord MacDonald’s second Ironman. He last competed in 1999 along with his wife Jodie.

"It was like a brotherhood of competitors and the largest mass-start swim for Ironman," he said.

Gord warns that it’s expensive. He estimates he and Jodie spent about $10,000 the first time they competed, on things like entry fees, new racing bikes and wetsuits.

"There are times when everyone pushes hard to keep going, but it’s a thrill to hear the announcer call you an "Iron Man" at the end," said Ray Morello.

Ray saw many competitors encourage each other when things got tough and says it really lifted spirits. This was his second Ironman. He said he’ll take next year off to focus on being a first-time dad.

Kathy Cunningham had a special reason for entering the Ironman—raising funds to fight muscular dystrophy, a disease that gradually wastes the muscles. Her goal was to raise $2,000 but she expects she may reach $3,000 once all donations are tallied.

All four said exhaustive training schedules mean many hours away from family. They advise anyone thinking of entering the Ironman to have a thorough discussion with loved ones before taking on this world-class event.

Congratulations to these athletes, other Forest Service participants, and all racers who competed with the best.