WACO, TX — For the second year, the IronMan Triathlon will take place in Waco, bringing people from all around the world.
Athletes will compete in swimming, bicycling, and running.
In the race is a Houston man named Marcus Cook.
He used to weigh nearly 500 pounds. Over the last few years he decided to kick start his fitness journey.
Now, he's down to about 260 pounds and is ready to take part in the triathlon.
"When I come across that finish line, I want people to use my finish line for their starting line. That's what my journey is all about. If i can do it, you can do it. I am proof," said Cook.
Cook's next race will be the New York City Marathon in a couple of weeks.
According to the IRONMAN 70.3 Waco website, the race is staged just outside of Indian Springs Park.
It will begin with a 1.2-mile starting at Pecan Bottom Park and will be a point to point, down river swim, finishing at Indian Springs Park. The course will keep swimmers only 50 meters from land, making it an exceptionally beginner-friendly course.
The 56-mile single-loop bike course route will then take athletes through beautiful Central Texas's rural roads, past Lake Waco, and through the Waco wetlands, according to the website.
The description says the first 20 miles will include a gentle, gradual climb with a steady, fast descent returning to downtown Waco, making for a speedy and flat finish into the second transition.
The 13.1-mile double-loop run course crosses over the Brazos River and the city’s beautiful and historic bridges a total of five times. Athletes will make their way through the "Gem of Waco," Cameron Park, encountering a short climb before heading back to the river walk and crossing the Washington Street Bridge where they will begin their second loop.
A final run over the bridge, athletes will then travel along the river trail to a finish line on the oldest suspension bridge in the Southwest.
For more details, click here.
