Seven Canyon Lakers take on 70.3 Ironman race

Seven talented athletes from Canyon Lake took on the formidable challenge of the Ironman 70.3 race held in Morro Bay Saturday. The 70.3-mile event included a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile cycling course and a 13.1 mile run.

Participating from Canyon Lake were Maria Kivrizis, Matt Kivrizis, Lainie Cooney, Mark Yegsigian, Carly Yegsigian, Glenn Anderson, David Berman, Karin Cassidy, and Megan Falcon. These individuals had meticulously prepared themselves for this grueling event, dedicating countless hours to training and participating in practice races such as Sprint and Olympic events throughout April and May.

Despite their extensive preparation, the race presented the group with unique obstacles to overcome. The water temperature in the bay, which is inhabited by sea otters and sea lions, averaged a chilling 53 to 58 degrees, posing a daunting challenge for the more than 2,000 participants who swam the 1.2-mile course.

The swim in the bay was followed by a demanding 56-mile bike ride along the coast to San Simeon and back. The Ironman event culminated with a half marathon (13.1 miles) run.

The Morro Bay event was Matt’s inaugural Ironman 70.3 race. He exceeded expectations by completing the course in an impressive six hours, a time significantly faster than the average finishing time.

Matt‘s wife, Maria, who serves as the Canyon Lake Triathlon and Fitness Club president, had previously conquered multiple full Ironman distances and was thrilled to train and race alongside her husband in this event.

Carly and Megan, both newcomers to the Ironman experience, also took on this formidable challenge. Carly was introduced to the sport by her father, Mark, who himself triumphantly completed the course. In the relay division, Megan took on the swimming leg, while Karin showcased her skills in biking and running.

The group received invaluable logistical and emotional support from Marie Solt, as well as Matt Mora and Robert Mora.

After the race, the triumphant athletes and their supporters celebrated their accomplishments with leisurely walks along the picturesque beach, a delightful trip to the nearby wine country, enjoyed good food, and ended the night with board games.