IRONMAN

It takes 1,500 to put on the race and several hundred volunteers are still needed.

Either exercising more or achieving greater fitness goals are usually popular New Year’s resolutions for people, but have you thought about an even bolder resolution that will ensure you either get or remain in great shape?

This mother of two really puts the “active” in “active-duty."

Chris Nikic, 22, earned a Guinness World Record last year for becoming the first person with Down syndrome to finish a full Ironman.

A 14-year-old boy becomes the youngest athlete with Down Syndrome to complete a mini-triathlon after finding inspiration from his role model.

The inaugural IRONMAN in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is now behind us and the positive feedback from racers, visitors and community members alike is pouring in.

"Goal set and achieved," Chris Nikic wrote. "Time to set a new and BIGGER Goal for 2021."

ROANOKE, Va. – After the race was postponed by a year due to the pandemic, registration for the new date is set to open Wednesday afternoon. Registration will open up at noon for the 70.3-mile race, set to take place on June 6, 2021. The centerpiece for the route includes a bike course that will go along 56 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Roanoke County into Botetourt County. For the swimming portion, triathletes will be jumping into Carvins Cove for a 1.2-mile swim before transitioning to a run at River’s Edge Park and the Roanoke River Greenway. To register, click here.

ROANOKE, Va. – The National Park Service wants to know what you think about shutting down part of the Blue Ridge Parkway for next year’s Ironman race. Race organizers want to shut down about 20 miles for the bike portion of the race. The park service is taking public comments until Nov. 22. The race will be held in Roanoke on June 7. National Park Service spokesperson for the Blue Ridge Parkway, Leesa Brandon, said there’s no set date when a decision will be made on the request.