Heaviest Ironman Finishers

My observation on doing 3 IMs and going to watch 3 others.

IMFL had many more heavier athletes than did IMLP or IM Canada. At FL I found there were a lot more people like me than at the other two races.

You can do this! Stay positive we all here at BT will be pulling for you on Sunday.

I can only comment as an IM Louisville volunteer for the last 5 years- having worked in a multitude of jobs.. including finish line catcher and bike marshal. I feel that I have seen the majority of the athletes on that course through the years. I'd say it's not so much about weight, as it is body fat percentage. The majority of people (85%-90%) are very fit, very healthy looking. They look like what I envision when I think of "ironman athlete". Then you have the remaining 10-15% who look like the rest of us out there who do this sport but maybe like a little insulation to get us through the long winters and cold water swims. . What I mean is that maybe we have 20% body fat or higher.  These folks tend to be the ones who finish in the last 2hrs or so.. again, just my experience at one IM event over the course of 5 years.

I plan to do IM Louisville in 2013. I need to get my bodyfat percentage down to closer to about 20% if possible if I really want to achieve my goals. I've done two 70.3's and I know that my weight has played a role in how efficient I am in the heat. Mind you, I weigh 144 and am 5'4, but I still have a fairly high BF percentage. (I used to be A LOT heavier a long time ago..)

So, to answer your question, I can think of about 5 people at IM Louisville this year who I think we could consider to be overweight- body fat percentage of 30% or higher.  Hats off to them for getting the job done. I think of the increased effort that it took for them to do it and I'm impressed and amazed.

Good luck to you!! You can do anything that you set your mind to do! Just remember that!

I have typed up and erased several different replies to this topic and I just don't feel as though my response reflects exactly what I am thinking.  I'll just cut to the chase:

The only people that will be passing judgment on the "heavier" athletes have just as many deamons as the next person.  If the race officials deem one fit enough to start the race, then the only judgment should come from the official race clock.  You are given 17 hours no matter if you have 6% body fat or 36% body fat. Screw the elitist!

I've never had a weight problem (male 5'9.5" and 150 lbs), so I am not directly affected by this topic.  However, I have many other issues/characteristics that keep me from looking like the "cream of the crop".  I can't afford race wheels, I have the whitest skin known to man, I don't shave my legs, I don't have the coolest looking trisuit, I can't put my bike shoes on while they are already clipped in, I don't own a month's worth of race finisher shirts to wear around the hotel, etc., etc., etc.  Control what you can control, and enjoy the experience.  And when you cross the finish line, let the "less than athletic looking" Mike Rielly call out your name and proclaim you to be an Ironman just like he does everyone else.

Nathan

Fred--you are right.  I wish I could take back what I said.  That really was out of character for me and I apologize if I offended or upset anyone.

Nathan

I did Ironman 70.3 in Racine Wisconsin last year and weighed 260lbs at 6'4". It was hard carrying that much weight. This year I'm 240ish range (feeling great because I'm down from 297lbs)and I'm hopeing I'll be 230s when I race next year because obviously being heavier is harder. I saw some people much bigger than me and I was amazed at them for doing it. I watched all the Kona races on NBC and have seen some peopple I would guess are around 300lbs finish the Ironman. The mind and your heart can do incredible things.

YAY Deb, kick some butt!! We will all be pulling for you

You go girl!

We will be cheering for you tomorrow from all over BT land~

I'm struggling to lose weight - losing inches but not pounds - most days I'm upbeat but at times I have a bad day on the bike or a run and it is always great to come in here and get re-focused, inspired and revved up again.

Volunteering at IM Canada two weeks ago I met another volunteer who started working out at 360 and she's down under 200 now but she signed up for IM Canada 2012.  Wife and I will be out to cheer her on next year.

Personally I'maiming for an Oly and HIM in 2012 plus IM Canada in 2013.

Good uck to you.

Debb you are off the bike!!!

Go time on the run...you will do this!

All I can say is that I am 6'3", 240lbs and 44 years old and I am about to complete my 3rd Ironman.  I did my first IM in 13:00:22 (IMFL 2006) and my second in just over 14:37:54 (IMAZ 2008).

While standing in line with my buddy (who is the same body type as me) to jump in the water at IMAZ '08, there were 2 guys behind us talking about all the over weight people about to do an IM.  My buddy turned around, said "Just because you HAVE a better shape does not mean you are IN better shape."  He then proceeded to put his googles on and jump in the water.  I just stared at them and laughed then followed my buddy.  It was a tough day that day with the wind and heat.  My buddy and I had sub-par days for us BUT we both passed those idiots on the run as they sat on the side of the road.  We might be big, we might be slow but we knew what was important and we FINISHED.

I does not matter how heavy you are, how tall you are or even if you have all your body parts.  If you have the desire and have put in the work, you can accomplish anything.

I guess I'm surprised this is a topic at all... weight is just a non-issue, or should be.  Get out there and train and you will finish, you might lose some weight... maybe not.  But if you put in the training hours, you will finish.

I'm not sure weight would have a direct correlation to finishing, I think its more training and mental attitude.