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The longest running IRONMAN in North America

Watch the 20th IRONMAN Lake Placid here

Early tomorrow morning thousands of age group triathletes will take on IRONMAN Lake Placid. This year, it will be the 20th anniversary of IRONMAN Lake Placid, the longest standing IRONMAN race in North America. Year after year, IRONMAN keeps coming back because of the warmth of the locals, volunteers, the environment and the triathletes.

“The Rock” at IRONMAN Lake Placid. Photo credit ironmanlakeplacid.com

Lake Placid attracts tonnes of triathletes from around the world, especially Canada. Earlier this week we did an age group feature on Doug Austin, a member of the Barrie Baydogs. Austin’s triathlon story began in 2008, and then in 2012, he volunteered at this very race. After finishing IRONMAN Mont Tremblant in 2014, his story will come full circle Sunday when he swims in Mirror Lake, rides the challenging bike loop and sprints for the line. Austin will be joined by hundreds of other age group Canadian triathletes this weekend, so be sure to use the IRONMAN Live Tracker and follow your friends and family this weekend.

Panorama of Adirondack Mountains as seen from Whiteface Mountain (Getty Images)

The first edition of IRONMAN Lake Placid in 1999 was won by German Thomas Hellriegel (8:36:59) and Canadian Heather Fuhr (9:51:38). This year there will only be a professional female field at Lake Placid. Heather Jackson, the top American female will have some stiff competition from the rest of the field, including Canadians Angela Naeth and Jen Annett. Naeth is coming off of a 6th place finish at IRONMAN Boulder just last month. Annett has had a solid season thus far with two top-five finishes (70.3 Victoria and Coeur d’Alene) and top ten at IRONMAN Texas earlier this season.

Earlier this year, IRONMAN and Facebook have announced a content partnership for live programming of the 2018 season. Included in this partnership is livestreaming of IRONMAN Lake Placid. The hosts of the livestream include IRONMAN champions Greg Welch, Michael Lovato and Debe Griesbauer. Sunday, you can watch IRONMAN Lake Placid starting at 9 AM.