Posted: February 2, 2005

Triathlon: Stewart and Hughes Named Ironman’s “Outstanding Age Group Athletes For 2004"

Athletes Honored at This Weekend’s 13th Annual Competitor Magazine Endurance Sports Awards

February 2, 2005- Willie Stewart and Kathleen Hughes have been named Ironman’s “Outstanding Age Group Athletes For 2004,” as a result of their performances at the Ironman Triathlon World Championship last October and many other extraordinary athletic achievements. Both athletes will be honored this Saturday, February 5 at the Competitor Endurance Sports Awards held at Sea World in San Diego, CA.

Forty-four-year-old Stewart from Redland, CA, finished his third World Championship race last year. Last year’s race conditions were particularly harsh, causing 29 percent of the pro field and 7 percent of age group athletes to drop out. Battling fierce winds and blazing heat, Stewart achieved an “outstanding” overall time of 11:33:43. Stewart’s race history includes three World Championship finishes, an Ironman Brazil finish and other challenging race events such as the XTERRA Series, Balance Bar 24-Hour Adventure Race and the HURT 100k run in Honolulu, HI. “I enjoy getting in over my head and then getting to the finish line,” Stewart said. Despite losing the lower portion of his right arm the summer after his high school graduation, Stewart stays true to his words and continues to make it to the finish line. In addition to his excellent race resume, Stewart is well known throughout the triathlon community for his upbeat, positive attitude. When asked how he felt receiving the honor from Ironman, Stewart replied “I feel undeserving because each time I race, I see so many other men and women out there who could absolutely kick my tail!”

Hughes, 47, from Columbus, OH, ran across the finish line on infamous Alii Drive for the ninth time this year with an overall time of 11:38:37. Hughes participates in approximately ten races per season ranging from half-Ironman distance to shorter road races in preparation for the World Championship, which she says is her favorite race. She began jogging to lose a few post-college pounds and participated in her first triathlon in 1984. After the births of her daughters, she attempted her first Ironman. More than a hobby, Hughes races to raise money for arthritis, a condition that affects her husband. Over the past six years, Hughes has raised $125,000 for arthritis and has been able to show her daughters that anything is possible. “It really keeps the racing in the family and makes it about more than just me,” she said. Despite doing her best to race for others, Hughes admits she gets a lot out of competing in Ironman races. “I learn something new from each and every race,” she said. “The knowledge I have gained, both about the sport and about myself, has helped me in every aspect of life. I am forever a student of triathlon.”

The age group awards were established in 1999 to recognize the accomplishments of age group athletes in Hawaii. Past recipients include: 2003 Harriet Anderson, San Carlos, CA and Joe Bonness, Naples, FL and 2002 Donna Smyers, Montpelier, VT and Marcos Alegre, Sugar Hill, CA.