Petaluma’s Wick shines in SR Ironman

Petaluma’s Holly Wick made the most of her opportunity to swim, bike and run close to home in the Santa Rosa 70.3 Ironman.

With family and friends cheering her on, Wick, owner of Athletic Soles in Petaluma, not only won her age group (60-64), but she finished in the top 30 percent of a group of elite ironman athletes from all over the U.S. and some from other countries.

Approximately 2,800 athletes competed in the event.

Wick, a veteran triathlon and ironman participant, admitted to being a bit apprehensive about competing in the inaugural event. She needn’t have worried.

“It was fantastic. Everything went flawlessly,” she said.

Wick, who had already qualified for the World Championship event in Chattanooga, Tennessee in September, is now ranked No. 1 in the United States and No. 2 in the world for her age group.

“My goal is to be in the top five in the world,” she said.

A cancer survivor, Wick almost didn’t compete. Not only was she still hurting from a shoulder injury that made swimming difficult, but she was also suffering from flu-like symptoms. She put the hurts in the back of her mind and once again proved she could run, swim and bike with the best.

The race consisted of a 1.2-mile swim in Lake Sonoma, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run.

At each stage she was cheered on by a contingent of local supporters who provided encouragement and greeted her at the rest stops. “It was fantastic having all the people there to support me,” she said.