Reservist competes in 19th Ironman competition

  • Published
  • By 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A 301st Fighter Squadron pilot recently competed in his 19th Ironman Triathlon competition.

Lt. Col. Geoff Cleveland and his wife, Julie, joined nearly 2,000 other participants in the second annual Ford Ironman Triathlon April 9 at Tempe Town Center in Tempe, Ariz.

An Ironman Triathlon features a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon, all in succession. Athletes have 17 hours to complete the event.

Colonel Cleveland said for he and his wife, triathlon competitions are a way of life.

"I chose Ironman Arizona 2006 because it was an opportunity to race an Ironman in home town," he said. "I was happy with my effort as this was the second fastest time I've posted out of the 19 Ironman events I've competed in." 

Colonel Cleveland finished 51st overall and first out of the 205 participants in his age group with a time of 9:52:33. Ms. Cleveland finished in 11:53:51 and placed seventh out of the 88 people in her category.

"My wife and I train for triathlons together," Colonel Cleveland said. "We normally swim three times a week, bike four times a week and run five times a week."

Colonel Cleveland's finish in this race earned him a spot to compete in the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.