Several athletes set foot in Chattanooga for Ironman 70.3

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It only seems fitting, with the Tennessee River, mountainous scenes, and an outdoor spirit that Chattanooga would host Ironman events.

Well, that relationship is going a step further.

“We are now the first community to host four Ironman events in a year. We have inked a new five year contract to continue going with Ironman,” Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said.

Ironman events draw out thousands of pro athletes and participants to the Scenic City, and this weekend is no different.

At least 3,100 are signed up to take on the 70.3 mile swim, bike, and run.

Athletes old and young, and athletes who are completing with a purpose.

“About two and a half years ago, I weighed almost five hundred pounds.”

Marcus Cook was motivated by his business partner who died of cancer.

His friend wanted him to choose to get healthy.

So, Cook did just that.

He had gastric bypass surgery and started walking 20 minutes a day.

“That 20 minutes a day turned into being able to run between a telephone pole to a telephone pole, and then it was like hey, what do you want to do? And so I just got a goal, and I got something that I never thought I could do, and I was like I’m going to do a triathlon,” Cook said.

The Houston resident is now a two-time full Ironman, and Sunday will make his fourth half Ironman.

He hopes to inspire others through his own actions.

“I tell people all the time, hey, use my finish line for your starting line, you know, use what I’m doing when I come across the line, you know, if that guy can do it, surely I can do it,” Cook said.

The half Ironman in Chattanooga will be a first for Cook, like many others.

And with more events in the Scenic City, it might not be his last.