Ridgewood Business Owner In Hawaii to Compete in 2014 Ironman World Championship

Ridgewood business owner Jim Parks is in Hawaii to compete in the 2014 Ironman World Championship on Oct. 11.

Jim, the owner of Parks Wealth Management on E. Ridgewood Ave., first got the news on April 15 after running 10 miles in the rain with friends. He opened an email with the subject line “Click here to check out this year’s lucky lottery winners for the 2014 Hawaii Ironman World Championship.”

“...imagine if I was a lucky winner,” Parks asked himself. “I vividly remember praying if my family and I could handle me doing a 2nd Ironman, please put my name on the list. If not, please wait until we are ready.”

Jim Parks’ name was in that email.

Now the North Haledon native is currently in Kona as he awaits Saturday’s competition and will compete against 1800 athletes who qualified and 200 lottery entry winners.

Parks has been training at Ridgewood Tri Athlete and says his biggest support system is his wife, Felicia, and his friends in the local triathlon community.

Parks faces a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26 mile run in the heat of the lava fields of Kona for the Ironman World Championship.

“It is an honor to be here in Kona ... with the best triathletes in the world. Unfortunately, I don’t have what it takes to win the event,” Parks said. “Incredibly dedicated and talented professional triathletes who put up to 40 hours a week of training in can win it.”

Parks says the unique aspect of the competition will be how “weekend warriors” like him will swim, bike and run with the world’s best triathletes.

“It’s similar to playing baseball at Citifield while the Mets are playing a game,” Parks said.

Though Parks says he doesn’t have what it takes to win, he is still a winner in his own right.

“I am one of the lucky 200. I am passing along my good fortune by raising money for the Relief Bus, a wonderful organization that helps the homeless and poor in NY and NJ,” Parks said.

The Relief Bus consists of two renovated school buses that visit projects in Paterson, Newark and New York City. They provide food, warm clothes, hygiene kits, friendship, job training and access to shelters and rehab centers for the poor and homeless.

To date, Parks has raised 75 percent of his $10,000 goal.

“My goals for the race are to enjoy the incredible experience, to give everything I have to give on the course, and to help people in tough situations have food and access to services,” Parks said.

Information on Jim’s campaign can be found here: http://www.crowdrise.com/ironmenforthehomeless/fundraiser/reliefbusrace

To track Jim’s progress, visit www.Ironman.com.