Relatively Speaking

Top professional and age-group triathletes from around the world tested their mettle in the Red Rock Canyons of St. George, Utah, at the 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championship held on Sept. 18. Briana Greeley, granddaughter of LW residents Eileen Dohl and Beth Greeley, qualified and was invited to compete in the 18-24 age group. Triathlons are swim, bike and run events, and the Ironman World Championship is considered to be the most elite athletic event of the year. To qualify, an athlete must be 18 or older, have completed at least one qualifying Ironman 70.3 event and receive an invitation. These events are held all around the world. Briana qualified in the Hawaii 70.3 in June, and her family was excited to see her get an invitation to compete.

The World Championship 70.3 in St. George involved a 1.2-mile reservoir swim, a 56-mile bike course and a 13.1-mile run. Briana crossed the finish line after a grueling 6.5 hours. At 18, she was announced to be the youngest of the entrants who competed and finished. Briana is currently attending the University of Dallas, Texas, studying engineering on a full scholarship.

– Beth Greeley