Local triathlete Burnett takes part in the Super Bowl of triathlons

For 25 years local resident Russ Burnett, 62, has dreamed of qualifying and taking part in the Super Bowl of triathlons, the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

On Oct. 10 his dream was fulfilled as he was able to finish the grueling race on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Out of 1,800 participants of all ages more than 200 were unable to finish the event, which consisted of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile marathon.

Burnett finished with a time of 14 hours, 18 minutes and 15 seconds, good enough to place 31st out of 50 participants in his 60-64 age group.

“It was unbelievable,” said Burnett, who qualified for the race at the Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho in June. “I can’t believe I really did this.”

Two days before the event  there were doubts Burnett would be able to take part.

“I was really worried,” he said.

Fortunately, by race day the pain went down and Burnett was able to compete, although he said he was not 100 percent.

While he believed he would have performed better if not for the injury, Burnett said he accomplished what he wanted to do in the first place  — to finish the race.

“It’s really quite a difficult race,” Burnett said. “My whole focus was just to finish.”

What made it such a challenge were the conditions, which were dry and humid, with gusts of wind that got to 25 mph.

“It was just brutal at times,” he said.

Local triathlete Russ Burnett runs during the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, on Oct. 10. Submitted Photo

He said he was well prepared and made sure to have plenty of water at hand. For instance, during the bike ride he had three bottles of water, including two bottles attached to his bike, to have a supply with him at all times.

Burnett said it was an amazing opportunity to compete against the best in his sport from around the world.

A highlight for him occurred during the swim, which took part in crystal blue waters full of tropical fish.

“It was like swimming in an aquarium,” he said. “You almost forgot you were in a race.”

As Burnett crossed the finish line totally exhausted, a thrill for him was when the announcer  called out his name and said “you are an ironman.”

To remind him of the race Burnett still wears his race band  on his wrist and has no intention of removing it for the foreseeable future.

“Every time I see it it reminds me of what I was involved in,” he said.

Burnett said he plans to take a breather from taking part in any ironman races for the time being but still plans to take part in smaller scale triathlon races.