CAMBRIDGE — Before Sunday morning’s sunrise had even begun, thousands of tri-athletes from across the world plunged into the cold of the Choptank river for a 1.2 mile swim, marking the start of the annual IRONMAN Eagleman 70.3 triathlon. The event, a Cambridge staple since 1997, is one of the longest-running triathlon events in the country.
Family, friends and spectators lined the perimeter of Cambridge’s Gerry Boyle park, named after the late triathlon innovator Gerry Boyle, to watch the athletes battle the rigid course. Equipped with encouraging signs and even cowbells, fans cheered on the athletes as they rounded into refueling and equipment transition stations across the 70.3 mile course.
The race consists of a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run. Despite the challenges the course presents, it still attracts thousands annually to Cambridge to try their hand at completing the historic Eagleman.
Scott Mingay, a seasoned triathlete hailing from nearby New Jersey, was the first participant to cross the finish line. Mingay completed the 70.3 mile course in an impressive four hours and one minute. Ezra Swell placed second with a time of four hours and four minutes, followed by third place Drew Nesbit who finished just a few seconds behind Swell.
Mingay, who has made the Eagleman 70.3 a routine stop in his triathlon schedule, reflected on the feeling of finally obtaining a first place finish at one of his favorite courses, as he was ordained with his first place medallion.
“Out of all of the events I run, the Eagleman has always been one of my favorites,” Mingay said. “I’ve always dreamed of winning this [first place] medal here and to have finally won it is truly special.”
Race Director Angie Hengst, an Eastern Shore local and past participant of the Eagleman, explained how the impact of the event goes far beyond the race itself.
“Being able to showcase the beauty of our area and community to the thousands of newcomers that head here for the event,” Hengst said. “Everyone always tells me about how much they enjoy their time here with us in Cambridge and the embrace of our community that they’ve felt along the way, so it’s an amazing feeling to know that our race has this kind of impact.”
Hengst also explained that the Eagleman will generate nearly $4 million for the local economy by the end of race weekend.
Dorchester County Councilman Mike Detmer also shares Hengst’s sentiment of the race being a great advocate and ambassador for the Eastern Shore of Maryland, hopefully enticing race-goers and fans to make the trip back down to Cambridge in the future.
“The best part about the Eagleman, in my opinion, is sharing the beautiful Choptank River and the town of Cambridge with many new faces who may or may not have been to this area before, we love having them here,” Detmer said. “These people will also shop, eat, and stay here with us for race weekend so IRONMAN and the Eagleman do a great job of stimulating the local economy.”
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