Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga: Athletes reflect on their Ironman journey

Charlie Baker and Andrew McBurney could be heard shouting, “Ironman 2026!”

For many competitors, months of training and sacrifice led to Sunday’s race.

“I worked too hard for this. I’m not gonna stop,” athlete Sabrina Smith stated.

Jonathan Gross explained that training alongside close friends helped motivate him throughout the process.

“Keep on training with your best friend.”

Athlete Jake Bloom said he hopes the sport continues to take him around the world.

“I hope we’re still doing this in five years, traveling the world, seeing cool places, doing the sport.”

Athletes from across the country tore through the finish line, celebrating their accomplishment after completing the demanding triathlon.

Friends Brady Southern and Josiah Seymour joked about what inspired them to participate.

“We had nothing better to do.”

“We’re a little psycho.”

“We like doing hard things that bring on physical and mental pain.”

Athlete Alexa Atherholt said her athletic background and family inspiration helped push her toward the competition.

“I was a gymnast my whole life and I wanted to stay athletic, and my dad did this growing up, so he inspired me to keep doing it,” she explained.

Friends Jonathan Gross and Jake Bloom also described the challenge and discipline that comes with training for an Ironman race.

“We like a good challenge,” Bloom elaborated. “And you know what? We’ve done a few others. We’re training up to do another. Chattanooga is a beautiful place. Alexis wanted to see it, so we said, why not come out for the weekend and try to get a race in?”

“It’s the challenge, discipline, months of training, it’s a goal post to work toward. It’s a good way to live life,” Gross added.

For athlete Samantha Smith, the race came with an unexpected setback almost immediately.

“It was really painful. I crashed my bike in the first half mile, hard, and got a flat with it. They tried to get me to stop the race, and then I kept going.”

Another competitor, Christin Bohrofen, spoke about overcoming an injury before returning to competition.

“I had a hip fracture about a year and a half ago,” Bohrofen stated. “I did a half last year, so I just got my way back to doing it again, and I’m here now.”

Athletes said the race became more than just a physical challenge, serving as proof of what they are capable of mentally and emotionally.

“I think I can do more than I think I can,” Kelsey Vostad explained. “When you put your mind to something, you can accomplish more than you think you can. Just give all the glory to God.”

Josiah Seymour reflected on the demanding early mornings that helped prepare him for race day.

“Waking up at 5:00 and swimming. It was tough, but I did it. It got me here, and I finished it. Super happy.”

Bohrofen said she hopes her perseverance inspires her children.

“Every time I do a race, it’s really fun, but I hope that it means something to my kids, that it inspires them to do something.”

As athletes crossed the finish line one by one, many said the Ironman journey represented far more than a race.

It became a reminder of resilience, discipline, and the power of pushing beyond limits.