Ironman Alaska

By Neil Sergott

Eager to revisit Alaska after making a 2008 vacation trip to Anchorage and Denali National Park, what better way to return than competing at the inaugural Ironman Alaska triathlon on August 7, 2022. The excitement of arriving in Juneau felt as if the last day of school had arrived, especially after a year of training. Looking to explore all the scenic places couldn’t happen fast enough!

I was met by warm hospitality throughout my 11-day visit. The view of the Juneau mountains could be seen all around. I couldn’t be more in the heart of all the beauty that was waiting out there for me to discover.

Taking a pre-race day road trip, my camera never left my side, as bald eagles were even seen on light posts along the highway. Visiting a fish hatchery provided some of the best eagle watching on the island near Juneau. With an elevated walkway high above the bay, I was able to look down at the various birds flying below. This provided some of the best aerial shots I could possibly get.

The race had 1,367 people signed up, 868 started, and 718 finished within 17-hour cutoff. The 56-degree water temperature in Auke Lake on race day forced organizers to shorten the swim from 2.4 to 1.2 miles (the water is normally low-to-mid 60s). Two practice swims prior to the race allowed for some acclimatation. Wearing foot booties, ski shirt and running tights provided the extra warmth needed. My confidence soared knowing I could brave the cold water but knew this was going to be a long day.

A steady rain and 55-degree air temperature (again normally mid 60s) made for harsh cycling conditions over 112 miles, resembling mid-fall weather in upstate New York. Keeping a warm body temperature was my primary concern on the course with constant rolling hills. After dressing in the appropriate layers, my next focus was to keep moving.

Aid stations were plentiful throughout the bike and 26.2-mile run course serving all my needs, as the run is a variety of flat to hilly to mountainous terrain. Meeting up with a runner at mile 24, we supported each other the last two miles without stopping to walk. The gorgeous views seemed to keep runners in a more relaxed state of mind. Luckily, I never experienced any muscles cramps on the run. I was able to pull off a smile at the finish line, confident I had this race all the way – still, the reward of finishing is beyond words!

The friendliness and generosity of the Juneau community was beyond measure. At every corner it was as though a friend I hadn’t met yet was there to take care of me. I’ll always remember the warm community support of Juneau, Alaska.

Neil Sergott (nserg71@gmail.com) is a civil engineer who lives in Clifton Park. He enjoys triathlons, running, disc golf, hiking, DH/XC skiing and photography.