MEDIA

On Sunday, September 29, 2024, Chattanooga hosted the Ironman triathlon for the 10th straight year. Over 2,000 athletes competed in the event, including two Walden Security Court Security Officers: Johnny Rogers from Chattanooga and Mike Stephens from Des Moines, Iowa.

Johnny Rogers finished with a time of 14:16:12, which placed him at 1,564 in the overall rankings. Mike Stephens finished with a time of 11:41:37, which placed him at 1,096 in the overall rankings.

The Ironman triathlon totals 140.6 miles. To earn the designation as an Ironman Finisher like Johnny and Mike did, they not only had to complete the race but do so within designated time limits. The typical schedule for the Chattanooga Ironman begins with a 2.4-mile swim in the Tennessee River, followed by a 116-mile bike ride alongside the Cumberland Plateau and a 26.2-mile run along the Tennessee Riverwalk and through downtown Chattanooga.

A few days before September 29th, Chattanooga was hit with heavy rainfall from Hurricane Helene. This caused the Tennessee River water level to rise, generating a current three times higher than the safety limit. With athlete safety in mind, the swim portion was replaced with a bike time trial. Competing in the Ironman requires years of training. We applaud Johnny Rogers and Mike Stephens (and all competitors) for adapting to the change, their commitment to training, and their dedication to finishing the immensely challenging race.

Over 75 Walden Security employees and their families volunteered at a water station throughout the Ironman to support Johnny, Mike and all the athletes.