Rockford man earns spot in IRONMAN World Championships in Spain

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Rockford man has secured a spot in the IRONMAN World Championships to take place in Spain in November.

After participating in Rockford’s inaugural IRONMAN 70.3, 41-year-old Patrick McIntyre qualified 3rd in the World Championships in the 40-44 age division group.

“I found out, maybe two hours before awards, that there were four slots. So I asked my wife, do you want to go to Spain?” he said.

McIntyre trained for months for the IRONMAN 70.3, after taking a 6 year break for competing. But, when he heard the program was coming to Rockford, he said he had to sign up.

“There was just a little bit of an itch to get back. I get to race it with my friends. It’s a dream come true,” he said.

For McIntyre, competing in his hometown meant more than receiving an award.

“I mean, there’s obviously much better triathletes than me, but I don’t know if there’s anyone who appreciated this race more than I did, because it just. It’s home. It’s Rockford, as I said before, Rockford stepped up. Got to do this with my friends, my family,” he said.

McIntyre said he will train for the next four months to prepare for the World Championships.