Gleason qualifies for Ironman Triathlon World Championships

Pat Gleason of Huntington Beach has qualified to compete at the

1999 Ironman Triathlon World Championship, which will be held Saturday in

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

More than 50,000 triathletes from more than 50 countries annually

attempt to qualify for the world’s most famous endurance event.

Gleason earned a spot in the world championship by finishing in

third-place in the Men’s 35-39 Division in Chicago earlier this year.

Gleason will be a first-time competitor in Hawaii.

“I have always perceived the Ironman in Hawaii as the ultimate

endurance event to compete in,” Gleason said. “I wanted the challenge to

prepare physically, mentally, nutritionally, and spiritually, for such an

event.”

Married and the father of two boys ages 1 and 3, Gleason is the

crew coach at Orange Coast College, and has served as a pole vault coach

at both Edison and Corona del Mar highs.

Gleason , who calls himself an “obsessed” surfer, was an

All-Pacific 10 Conference selection and member of the University of

Washington’s 1984 national champion crew team.

The Ironman Triathlon began in 1978 with only 15 competitors but

its explosive growth required race organizers to implement qualifying

procedures in 1983.

The race field is now limited to 1,500 contestants due to the

championship nature of the event.

The Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a

26.3-mile run, which must be completed within the allotted 17-hour time

frame. Training for the race typically requires 18 to 24 hours per week

for six to eight months leading up to the event, and helps develop the

stamina and endurance needed to complete the 140.6-mile event.

“Training for the Ironman has been time consuming and has involved

a lot of discipline, commitment, and sacrifice for me, but especially my

family,” Gleason said. “Thankfully they are so supportive in helping me

reach my goal. For this, I am so thankful and blessed.”