Local Father and Son Complete Their First Florida Ironman Event

Kevin and Kyle Prendergast from Saylorville recently competed in the Florida Ironman event on Saturday, Nov. 3, in Panama City Beach, Fla. 

Both finished the race which includes a 2.4 mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, a 112 mile bike course, followed by a full marathon, 26.2 miles.  Kevin, age 57 finished in 13 hours, 41 minutes and Kyle, age 32, finished in 11 hours, 37 minutes.  All participants must finish the race in 17 hours to qualify as an Ironman. 

For Kevin, the journey began when his church, Capitol City Baptist Church in Saylor Township, hosted a 5k run in 2005.  He had not run much since Lincoln High School days, but after a bet with his pastor, decided to begin training—1 mile, 2, 2.5 and finally 3.1.

Over the next year he continued running and began biking and swimming and participated in his first triathlon, a sprint triathlon consisting of a 500 yard swim, 15 mile bike and 5k run. 

He and Pastor Mark Carter then joined the Triathlon Racers of Iowa (Tri Racers) and a Tri Racer training program, based in the Ankeny YMCA to prepare for the famous Hy-Vee Triathlon, an Olympic distance event consisting of a 1500 yard swim, 25 mile bike and 10k run.  Since then, he has done a number of triathlons locally and two Ironman 70.3 events, half the distances of the full Ironman. 

Son Kyle started doing triathlons a year later than Kevin as a bike relay team member in the Hy-Vee Triathlon.  After that, he was hooked and began training and joined the Tri Racers as well.  He has also done numerous triathlons, including two Ironman 70.3 events prior to doing the Florida Ironman. 

Kevin and Kyle began working out a year in advance of the race and then followed a 20-week defined training program and estimate they each swam 60 miles, biked 1800 miles and ran 375 miles during the 20 weeks alone. 

Both Kevin and Kyle credit much of their interest and training success to the Tri Racers club.  The club features triathlon coaches to assist athletes at all levels, and members, many of whom have already competed in Ironman events, assist with expertise and advice as well.  Athletes at all levels, especially those new to triathlon are welcomed and encouraged by members and coaches.  For example, the only requirement for swimming is the ability to swim 2 laps.  After 5 weeks of 2 practices per week, all members are typically swimming mile workouts.  Triathlon training classed typically includes coached swimming, coached spinning and group run opportunities. 

“If we can do it, you can do it”, say both Kevin and Kyle when asked about candidates for triathlon and an Ironman event.  “It takes some discipline to follow through with training, but the coaching and encouragement from fellow Tri Racers makes all the difference.”  In addition to specific training classes through the Ankeny YMCA, Tri Racers members come together for social events to share experiences and good times, and to carb-up prior to the larger triathlon events. 

“If you’ve ever considered triathlon, join Tri Racers and get started along with the many new members learning about triathlon for the first time,” said Kevin.  “And if you’re ready to get more serious, join the club and take advantage of the experience and training tips from coaches and top triathletes, including professional triathletes who are part of the club as well.”