By Dave Ryan

CAMBRIDGE — IRONMAN Maryland took place on Saturday, Sept. 18, as more than 2,000 athletes came to Dorchester County from around the world to swim, bike and run a course — all 140.6 miles of it.

“Thanks to all the volunteers, the first responders, the local businesses who are a bit overwhelmed with all the extra people in town this week, the clean-up crews after the race, and to all the spectators who really give the triathletes a boost with their cheers,” a statement from Dorchester Tourism said. “Did you know that 2019’s triathlon brought nearly $3.5 million in outside revenue to the area? This event makes a difference for many of our small businesses.”

Eric Roy of Canada the first male finisher. Mr. Roy completed the course in 9 hours, 4 minutes, and 44 seconds.
Dana Glodek was the fastest woman, completing the course in 9 hours, 36 minutes, and 58 seconds.
At the finish line, the winners were congratulated by two Dorchester County Public Schools (DCPS) students waiting to place medals around their necks. “These two students exemplify the spirit of Ironman in their own ways,” a statement from DCPS said.

Luke Redmer, a 9th grader at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, has faced many health challenges and surgeries over the last few years, but his focus remains on what he can do, not what he can’t. He serves as a very active cadet with the Rescue Fire Company, supporting firefighters, their vehicles and equipment, and is looking forward to turning 16 when he can begin formal training in firefighting.
North Dorchester Middle School 8th grader Patricia Merritt was the lone girl on a boy’s baseball team for several years. The experience taught her that being the only girl didn’t really matter, the statement said.

What mattered was her belief in her own ability, adopting the Ironman mantra that “Anything is Possible” and convincing herself that, “If you believe it, you can achieve it.”
The Redmer family created a bond with one of the athletes over the previous few years. In 2018, Luke’s sister Maddie wrote a letter — many students in local schools do this as part of their class work — and she received a box in reply from triathlete George Peters.
“The box was filled with a bunch of great things...stickers, his racing bib, one of his teams T-shirts in her size,” Maddie’s mother Rebecca told the Banner. “It was awesome, but the best was the sweet letter he wrote!”
“I hope your school year has gotten off to a great start,” wrote Mr. Peters, himself a middle school teacher. “You’ll be in high school before you know it.”
Every year since, she would pull the box out and put on the shirt on race day, hoping to meet Mr. Peters.

So fast forward to 2021 Eagleman, earlier this summer: “Maddie woke up, put on her shirt, and began her day of cheering and riding around to her favorite fan spots,” Ms. Redmer wrote. “As she was at the spot she had written about years ago — she caught an athlete’s eye and he said, “Hey that’s my shirt, thanks for the letter!”
“To say she was thrilled is an understatement,” Mr. Redmer wrote. “Such a great day for Maddie! After all these years she got to meet her Ironman hero.”

The work of volunteers and fans doesn’t go unnoticed. Cambridge City Council member Jameson Harringto (Ward 3) wrote, “A huge thank you to our city employees, volunteers and race officials who made IRONMAN Maryland 2021 possible! To those who participated, congratulations! We hope to see you all back again next year.”