Ironman Triathlon comes to Happy Valley for second year

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — More than 1,500 athletes competed in this year’s Ironman 70.3 in Happy Valley.

“It starts out with a 1.2 mile swim down at Foster Joseph Sayers Day in Bald Eagle State Park. They get out, they grab their bike and they ride 56 miles. And they end up back here at Beaver Stadium right behind me where they get off their bike and then they run a half marathon or 13.1 miles around the beautiful Penn State University Main Park campus,” Race Director Joshua Cone said.

This is the second year that Ironman 70.3 is in State College. More people came out this year to support the triathlon and cheer for people that they didn’t know.

Kimberly Callahan was cheering for her husband alongside their family and friends. She said it’s one of his favorite races, and he’s done it all over the world. We asked her why her husband comepetes.

“He’s been in enduring sports his whole life, but he really has found a passion later in life once we had our two boys to really get them into the mindset that we do things even when they’re hard. So this shows them that this race is very hard, but if you train and work hard, you’ll be able to finish,” Callahan said.

For the athletes and their families, it’s more than just a triathlon. It has become part of their life.

“I feel really, really good. You know, it’s only my second win in an amateur race ever. And my wife and I have been setting this goal and chasing it for the last three years. And it’s so nice to check that box heading into summertime with a little bit of time off. It’s something worth celebrating. So I’m very, very happy,” said Kiel Bur, who came in first place.

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The other winners and runner-ups can earn entries into World Championship races in the future.

The next Ironman 70.3 race in Happy Valley will be June 15, 2025.

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