Athletes descend on Coachella Valley for first-ever Ironman in La Quinta & Indian Wells
Thousands of athletes and spectators are descending on the valley this weekend for the first-ever Ironman triathlon in La Quinta and Indian Wells.
Details on roadways closed this Sunday due to the Ironman
More than 3,000 athletes have come to swim, bike and run 70.3 miles Sunday in the sold out race, many traveling from around the country and the globe.
“The scenery, the mountains, the weather seems to be just perfect,” said Amy Stanton, an Ironman competitor. “You’re meeting people in transition, you’re meeting people in pack and pickup… There’s people from all over the world that you get to hang out with and meet.”
“Just the environment of being the first race, here, for La Quinta, it’s gonna be really exciting,” said Lynda Rowan, here to race from Australia.
Dianne Kaltenegger traveled from near Vancouver, Canada.
“People here are so supportive — talk about a bike friendly community, it’s just amazing the bike lanes they have here,” Kaltenegger said.
She’s 56 years old and retired, hoping to qualify for the 2019 Ironman 70.3 world championship in Nice, France.
“It’s all about what’s in your mind and as long as you’ve got the mind strength, you can do anything,” she said.
Last year Kaltenegger placed second for her age group in a race in Europe.
“It takes a lot of time to do an Ironman, to train for one. It takes a lot of commitment and your family has to be behind you for this,” she said. “They’re all proud of me, they think it’s amazing that I can do these races and i’m hoping one of them follows in my footsteps!”
Her coach, Britni Bakk, made the trip with her from Canada.
“I think this is a ‘getting back into race mode’ race and getting her head back into it — so mentally, she’s had a couple tough years,” Bakk said. “She’s a strong competitor…and mentally that is her strength.”
Kaltenegger said she’s grown stronger in the process.
“It’s nice that i have this second life now and yeah it’s given me some great confidence,” she said. And she’s ready to compete!
“I’m looking forward to just coming across the finish line,” she said.”
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