Ironman Group Picture

[Joe Milligan]

The SPA 10K this Saturday will be the 20th and final race for the 2011 RRCA Grand Prix. There are 16 men, women, boys and girls that have run every race this year. This Saturday will be the final challenge before gaining the coveted Grand Prix Ironman award. After the race, we will meet outside room 207 in the Hot Springs Convention Center shortly before the 10:00 awards ceremony to have a group picture taken for the Web Site. See you there.

[Joshua]

I'll bring my two and notify Jill Davis, the other Spa Pacer.

[Davy Insell]

Wow, that's a lot. Most ever?

[Joshua]

By my count there are 13 men and 4 women including kids.

[dmeroney]

Thanks, Joe.

And I have the same count as Josh. Make sure that all the Ironpeople know - spread the word. :-)

[Joe Milligan]

Joshua and David are correct. The number is 17 (I forgot to count myself). This is the largest group ever. Also, this will be the first year for a father and daughter (done twice this year), Joshua and Hope Drake and Eugene and Alise Atha, the first with twins, John and Jim Miller, and the first father, son and daughter, Joshua, Hope and Gideon. This is also the first time a youth has completed two Iron seasons in a row (Gideon) and the first time two youth have attained Iron status in the same season. Plus this will be John’s second and Eugene’s third Ironman seasons in a row.

Congratulations also to Jill Davis, Bradley Thomas, Nicholas Norfolk, David Meroney, James Erwin, John Hunnicutt, Brian Yeager, Don Preston and Moniqueca Christensen, who more than anyone else this year showed the determination that the Ironman award symbolizes.

[Joshua]

At age seven, I think Hope is the youngest iron kid ever, beating her brother's record by two years. Thanks in part to the Miller twins we have four ironmen from the 40-44 age group. This is the first year the Spa Pacers have had four iron status runners. A good year indeed. I think this is Joe Milligan's seventh straight year to be an ironman.

[bwyeager]

Thanks for the msg, looking forward to seeing you all there and congrats to all.

[Eugene Atha]

By my count, Joe will have 144 consecutive races after the Spa. If you add John Miller (47), Gideon Drake (31) & me (60) together, we still won't equal what Joe has done!!!! A record that is unlikely ever to be equaled - a truly amazing display of longevity & determination!

[Joshua]

Add my 32 races Eugene and we best Milligan. Sounds about right. Takes 4 mortals to equal his status! I'm just happy to realize I'm ahead of Gideon at something.