Ironman finishes first
Todd Shellenberger's first-place finish in his age division in the Louisville Ironman earned him a spot in the Oct. 11 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. That triathlon is considered the most grueling one-day sporting event in the world.
The competition will feature a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run, raced in that order and without a break. Shellenberger, who competes in the 45-49 age group, recorded a time of 9 hours, 43.34 minutes in the Ironman event in Louisville.
Shellenberger said he would arrive in Hawaii a week before the event to put the finishing touches on his training while getting used to the weather and time change.
His story began 20 years ago when he started participating in triathlons and road races. He has since competed in 110 triathlons and 30 road races.
He was a certified public accountant and a chief financial officer of a nonprofit organization before pursuing his passion and earning certifications from USA Triathlon to become a personal trainer.
Schellenberger has been employed by Baxter YMCA for the past five years as a trainer and coach.
In preparing for the Louisville triathlon, he not only trained other athletes, he trained with them.
"It is not uncommon to see Todd work out multiple times a day in an effort to encourage others to keep up the hard work, said Katie Burrell, Baxter YMCA member involvement specialist. "I have seen him running in the mornings with the Running and Walking Club he coaches and then swimming and biking with the youth triathlon team he coaches in the evenings.
"Todd also shares his love of health and fitness with a number of youths and his 12-year-old son, Drew, who recently won his age group at the Hy-Vee Kids U.S National Championship race," which he has won three times.
Burrell boasts that Shellenberger's story has been an inspiration to many at the Y.