Kanaan, Meira tackle Ironman 70.3 triathlon

Professional triathletes shared Miami roads and the Atlantic Ocean with families, young adults and three IZOD IndyCar Series drivers as more than 2,100 athletes competed Oct. 30 in the inaugural Rohto Ironman 70.3 Miami.

Tony Kanaan completed the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run in 5 hours, 23.43 seconds (285th overall and 72nd of 526 participants in his age group of 35-39). He was in the top 50 of the bike of 2:29.15 in his age group even though he was delayed about 13 minutes because of a flat tire.

Kanaan represented the Blazeman Foundation, which supports ALS research at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. In 2005, Jon Blais was diagnosed with ALS (a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord). Five months later, he became the only individual with ALS to complete an Ironman (in Kona, Hawaii).

Fellow Miami resident Vitor Meira prepped for the Ironman World Championship on Nov. 13 in Clearwater, Fla., by finishing in 5:17.46 (36th in the 30-34 age division). Bruno Junqueira completed the circuit in 6:25.15.