Ironman Cozumel gets underway this Sunday

This weekend marks the penultimate stop on the Ironman race circuit for 2014. With Canadian pros (and TMC contributors) Jordan Byrden, Brooke Brown and Christine Fletcher as well as Karen Thibodeau lining up on the beach, we are sure to see some great Canadian results. Brown, who has been training under Coach Brett Sutton for the last year in Cozumel will have something of a home court advantage.

Another of Sutton’s athletes, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist Nicola Spirig recently announced that she will be making her Ironman debut in Cozumel, sparking a social media frenzy to which Brett Sutton responded. In his blog post he explains:

“As for the heavies who want to put the pressure on about how ‘you need to start to get serious now because you’ll miss your qualifying points’, they are completely missing the point. You’re talking to someone who had not just the courage, but freedom of thought to compete in a half Ironman 13 days before winning the Olympics. If you think she’s going to blink over this you’re sadly mistaken.”

Sutton continued, “As for the race in Cozumel itself. Is she ready? Training-wise not even close. She’s spent the year running, not riding. But that’s also beside the point. Like most other age-group athletes Nicola goes into this race under-prepared but with a smile on her face and an apprehension in her heart about whether she’s got what it takes to complete an Ironman. We will see the answer to that [this weekend].”

Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, Cozumel is located 16 kilometres off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The race starts with a single-loop swim in the protected waters of Chankanaab Park Beach. The three-lap bike course is flat and fast, following the coastline of beaches and resorts. The three-loop run is lined with local supporters and bands playing traditional Mexican music.

There are 40 qualifying slots on offer for the 2015 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, HI.

For more info: www.ironmancozumel.com