The coastal and scenic city of Cambridge, MD, and surrounding Dorchester County provided a backdrop for the Qatar Airways IRONMAN Maryland race, part of the VinFast IRONMAN US Series, on Saturday, September 17.
Over 1,400 athletes kicked off their IRONMAN journey, beginning with a 2.4-mile swim in the Choptank River before undertaking a 112-mile ride through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and a 26.2-mile run around Cambridge with a finish at Long Wharf Park at Great Marsh.
In the men’s age-group race, Joe Klinedinst from Glen Rock, PA, competing in the M45-49 age group was the first to cross the line with an overall finishing time of 8:37:53. In the women’s race, Joanne Gribler of Washington, DC, racing in the F30-34 age group took top honours with an overall finishing time of 9:49:32.
Father and son duo of Jeff and Johnny Agar crossed the finish line officially completing their first full-distance IRONMAN triathlon with a time of 16:55:35. Despite his cerebral palsy, Johnny Agar proved why he has become one of the most inspirational athletes around the IRONMAN circuit as he walked the final yards of the finish line chute with the support of his father and the cheering crowd.
After years of hard work and several attempts, including the 2016 IRONMAN World Championship, Jeff and Johnny burst into tears upon hearing the coveted words ‘You are an IRONMAN!’ at IRONMAN Maryland.
“I loved being out here and racing with everyone,” said Johnny Agar after walking across the finish. “Everyone was so positive, and it is just what I needed in my life. I can’t thank everyone enough for the support.”
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